If wishes were horses...

It's the first day of December and by rights you should be receiving your first hit of the legendary December Daily Outfits but since the entire weekend was taken up with yet another packing and moving session, it's going to be a little late. This is the third time I've moved this year and I'm starting to feel a need to put down roots but I am nowhere near getting to housing nirvana yet.

If only I could find one of those genies to grant me three wishes... First on my list would be a lovely, spacious, light and airy house with a live in cleaner. Then I'd make one of those trick wishes, like: "Oh gracious genie, I wish for a wish a day for the rest of my life, kthxbai!"

And my third wish would be for something frivolous and fabulous, like this beautiful purple, ribbon-bow wristwatch from BCBGMaxAzria. Has a watch ever been more gorgeous? And at £100 it's actually affordable. While I'm waiting for that genie, it's up to you Santa. Go on, make my wish come true.

Take it off, take it all off

The scramble is on for you Christmas money folks. Go get yours! Current offers:

Warehouse 20% off till November 28
Code: FRIEND09/TREAT09
Best buy: Embellished tunic top


House of Fraser Brand event 25% off 26-27 November
In store and online

Evans 20% off everything till November 30
Online only
Best buy: All over sequin tunic

Browns fashion 20% off A/W 09 collections 26-28 November
In store and Online

Faith shoes up to 50% off selected new seasons styles
Limited period, no dates
Best buy: Somely biker boot
And the granddaddy of them all - The Angels Uniform Sale
Pick up uniform vintage pieces from film or screen

Best buy: Military beltAdmission fee: £5 per person

Items for sale will be charged at a fixed rate per item:

£20 each for all coats, tunics or blouson jackets
£20 each for helmets
£10 each for trousers or breeches
£10 each for caps
£5 each for small pieces of equipment
£10 each for medium pieces of equipment
£20 for a combined set of equipment

Date/Time: November 28, 8.30am – 5pm

Venue: Angels Warehouse
1st Floor, 3 Boundary Road
East Lane Business Park
Wembley HA9 7ND

More details

Victim of their own success

So Uniqlo launched it's +J collection of affordable luxury knitwear today. All the items are avalable online, with a selection appearing in the flagship shop in Oxford Circus.

I've been trying all morning to get past the front page to no avail, so the items must be popular. Although it has to be said that all I've seen are a selection of coats, jumpers and cardies in black and grey, s not sure what the deal is.

Anyway, the most interesting thing about the whole shebang is that Uniqlo has put a cap on how many items an individual can buy from the collection. Basically, you can only buy one colour and one size of each item "to enable as many people as possible to buy the exclusive +J collection and to prevent resale of these items". To which I cried a lusty "yeah!" but on second thoughts still leaves 49 separate items for crazy Ebay pirates to buy and sell on, so ho hum. At least they tried.

There's a lot you can do with Cotton... Apparently

The thing about celebrity and the money and fame it brings, is that people will keep knocking on your door offering you new ways to use your advantage to sell things. If you're smart, you choose wisely. You only get involved with projects that you know for sure that you can do (or pay some poor sap to do for you) and you leave the rest well alone.

But sometimes, you start to think you can do anything and that's when things go awry. Case in point: Fearne Cotton has just designed her first ever clothing collection. Now I may be wrong, but I think it looks shit. Not only does it look cheap, tatty and dated but it's also wildly and optimistically overpriced.

Take a look for yourselves:
Frankly, I've seen better stuff at BHS. The clothes are ill-fitting and boring. They make her look like a Mouseketeers reject. They don't even fit in with her edgy, rock chick image, so why do this?

There's moral to this story: stick to what you do well. Fearne Cotton, great at presenting on telly, pants at designing clothing. End of.

Shoe Lurve - Bronx wedge gladiator, £68.50

Boots, they look good on most people and really go well with summer denim. One problem though, they are essentially cold weather wear. No matter what we tell ourselves, the denim shorts/summer dress and boots combo borders a little too closely on WAG territory. What to do then? Step forward, the summer boot.

Here's a prime example of what I mean. Schuh have decided to call them gladiator sandals but we know better, don't we? This is not a gladiator sandal. This is not a sandal at all. This is clearly a boot; one made to be worn in the summertime.

Note the cutout detail and the peep toe, note the way the back rises to embrace the back of the foot and ankle (muck like an ankle boot would) and it has laces. Come on!

They would look damned good with some jazzy socks (especially if your like me and think that your bare feet are not fit for public viewing) and rolled up jeans. I am also totally smitten by that covered wedge. The perfect boot for summer.

Matthew Williamson for H&M preview

I'll state for the record now: I'm not a huge fan of Matthew Williamson's designs. That whole "Club Tropicana does Eurotrash in a floaty dress and jewelled tones by the Riviera" look is not really where my own personal style mojo lives.

So I can't say that I was particularly excited to hear that he was doing a summer collab with H&M. It just doesn't strike me as being anything special, and it's sort of done already. Afterall, for years now, he's been one of the Designers and Debenhams and you can always pick up something from his Butterfly range there. So where's the wow factor here? What would make me want to buy into this particular collection?

Having seen the preview images from H&M, I've got say the answer is: I don't know. The clothes are okay but nothing we haven't seen before. It would have been interesting to see something a little more edgy, maybe even boundary pushing, especially after the Commes des Garcons collab last year. But I'll be real, edgy is not what Williamson, does.

So my other question is: What was H&M thinking? Do they really think their consumer base is that boring? And how much will they be expecting us to pay for this?

Anyway, here are some preview images. What do you think?

Another one bites the dust

Far be it for me to perpetuate the ever rolling ball of gloom and doom that is the continuing threat of recession, but the closures and rumours of closures on the high street just keep pouring in. The latest casualty is Viyella, whose clothes I am only familiar with from department store House of Fraser. I kind of liked their stuff but rumours of their demise are not surprising considering how they are not the most distinctive of brands.

In other news, Mosaic (owner of Karen Millen, Oasis and Principles) are said to be perilously close to being lost, which would be a shame. Oasis is a brand that I particularly like but they are yet to learn the fine art of blowing their own trumpet. For instance, how could they have let this event go unheralded? You just know that if it had been Topshop you wouldn't have been able to move from hearing about it.

M&S is also axing 1000 jobs this year. Again not surprising. Despite the brouhaha, the Patricia Fields experiment didn't go down too well with fashionistas. Moreover, the initial boost that they got from those Vogue spreads and the model/celeb endorsements - a combo of Twiggy, Myleene, Erin, that Jagger offspring, that French bird who's always in her knickers and, recently, even Take That, had started to wane last year.

Anyway, the M&S will-they/won't-they story is as old as time but they're still here. My question is, why are they still insisting on selling the dismal Per Una range. If their regular clientele consisted of Nancy Dell'Olio leading a million-strong army of poor eurotrash, I could understand it. Otherwise, why? I think, if they don't get rid of this line soon, it might just turn out to be the last albatross that broke the camel's neck (yes, I know I'm mixing all sorts of metaphors there, but you get the picture).

With punters becoming more and more reluctant to spend, the rise of sustainable/ethical/ recyclable fashion, DIY and vintage and a real punk ethos towards clothing, the likes of which haven't been since the 70s, 2009 is going to be the year that the High Street wheat will be separated from the chaff. There will be no time for the middle-of-the-road or the also-rans. This is the time to throw-down or go down.

Yeah, I'm talking to you Warehouse, French Connection, Monsoon and New Look. You better be ready.

Sing it Freddie:

Designalike: New Look Vs Sass & Bide

The Sass & Bide Black Rats leggings have been a major hit with leggings fans this year. Such was the strength of the instant love for this product that they had to double the original pre-order rate. They've been selling out everywhere ever since.

The original Sass & Bide Black Rats

So, I suppose it was only a matter of time before someone on the High Street took a punt on some decent copies. New Look, have actually managed to get a non-too-shabby cheap alternative into stores.

Separated at Birth: New Look "ruched treggings"

I only wonder how long it's going to take S&B to cry foul. Better get 'em before New Look are forced to trash 'em all pending a lawsuit then.

What do you think: New Look "ruched treggings", viable alternative to S&B Black Rats or rank rip-off? Would you buy them?

Christmas gifts for under £5

I love checking out Christmas gift lists but I'm always disappointed when they promise gifts for every budget and everything on the cheap list, looks, well... Cheap. So this Christmas season, I am dedicating myself to finding you the best gifts on a budget that I can possibly find.

First up, pretty little fripperies all under £5 and no messing. I reckon, if you buy any of these for your friends not only will they love it, they will also not believe the cost.


Silver and pearl ring, Red Herring@ Debenhams, £4.80
Silver butterfly ring, ASOS, £4
Guitar pendant, ASOS, £4.90
Patent purse with bow, ASOS, £4.90
Dotted and star pocket mirrors, DollyDagger, £4 each
Apple earrings, DollyDagger, £4
Fuschia peacock bracelet, Miss Selfridge, £4
Teal owl ring, Miss Selfridge, £2.50
Corsage headband, Miss Selfridge, £4

Lost weekend, too

So, Friday shopping. I had a 20 per cent off shopping voucher from New Look burning a hole in my pocket, so I decided to venture to the flagship store after work. First off, it's looking much better in there lately and the wall of shoes was looking mighty comely.

I was tempted by a pair of platform gladiator sandals and some 3-strap Mary Jane's but in the end I plumped for some black suede platform boots. They've got a lovely shape and I like the suede texture but I'm pretty sure those spindly heels will be wrecked in no time and , I know they're lace-ups but I would have appreciated a zip to making wearing them a little less time consuming. Ah well...Also picked up a Giles Deacon purple plaid shirt from the men's section. It's big, soft and flannely. Perfect.

Since I could see its shining sign and open doors from across the road, I also took a look in Primark this foolhardy "quick pop-in" lasted several hours and ended in my buying at least 3 outfits worth of tat.

Stripes and Tartan Belt, Topshop
Boots, New Look
The rest, Primark

Lumber-rock?Boots and plaid shirt, New Look
The rest, Primark

Acceptable in the 80sShoes, Shellys
Bow tie, thrifted
The rest (including preposterous ankle warmers- how old do I think I am??) Primark

Watch this space

I've never been a huge fan of watches as fashion accessory. I have one watch. I've had it for years. It's got a chunky leather strap, which - I try to tell myself - makes my man's wrists look dainty, and it tells the time. That's about all I need from a watch.

So I'm baffled by my sudden hankering after some rather novelty-esque watches in the past 24 hours. Must be that Christmas feeling.

For starters, Swatch, purveyors of fine novelty watches for the fashion obsessed have only gone and done a whole collection of watch designs inspired by Bond villains. I have to say, it's brilliant. I mean, it's not like I'd be buying one myself, but for die hard Bond fans, they'd be hard to resist. They are also a perfect no brainer Christmas gift for the Bond-geek in your life.

My favourites are the Dr No (fantastic retro styling), Baron Samedi, Xenia Onatopp (I know) Franz Sanchez and Le Chifre. But for maximum bling points, it's got to be the shiny, gold plated insanity of the Goldfinger inspired, Odd Job. Diabolical fun. Check them out here. You can also take the online quiz to find out which villain you're most like.

If you like your wrist candy a bit more pop-py then feast your eyes on the candy red loveliness of Betsey Johnson's red bow bangle watch, available on ASOS. It's ridiculous yet divine.It's pure plastic pleasure perfection. It appeals to everything in me that wants to gorge on toffee apples, while lounging in bath full of pink feathers, sipping a baby bottle of pink champagne with one of those bendy straws that go round your eyes like glasses. So, so wrong.

Oasis gets all arty farty

Not really sure how this has managed to slip under the radar but Oasis has done a design collaboration with some students from the Royal College of Art and produced a little capsule collection of quite covetable items.

The collab is a result of a competition run by Oasis. The brief: to design a modern and feminine collection. The winning collection ‘Raven’ was designed by MA students Liam Evans, Clare McLachlan and Alison Dunlop, who each won a cash prize of £1000.

The collection is pretty much what you'd expect from art students. The shapes are simple but versatile with satisfying, richly detailed prints and an austere geometric approach to accessories.

My favourites from the collection are the accessories: a simple suede squishy bag with patent leather trim, articulated, geometric leather cuff and studded shoe boots with a snazzy red patent heel.
I'm also liking the graphic printed, silk, multi-purpose printed skirt/dress and a graphic top.

The Raven collection is available at Oasis now. The six runners from the competition will form a Designer Collective which will go into stores from February 2009.

Matalan wows for Spring/Summer 09

I was invited to the launch of the SS09 range at Matalan today and I bring you glad tidings of great joy.

Matalan is one of those high street gems that offer affordable fashion and good value for money. They're like a classier version of Primark. The only problem is their shops tend to be tucked away in shopping centres at the back of beyond. Getting to a Matalan near you can often be a mission and you're not guaranteed that all the stock you wanted will be at the shop you're at.

So you'll be pleased to hear the good news that, finally, finally, Matalan will be open for business online next year. Joy! They won't be offering full stock straight away but even if just favourites are available to buy online, it'll be a start.

So, what about the collection? It looks great. I forgot my camera to bring my camera, so I can't show you photos of some of the shoes and clothes I saw, and some aren't available in the look book. I hope to gets some more images later. However, I can say that the clothes look high quality but the costs are minimal.

An average item will set you back about £20. I'm especially liking the shoes, which range around £16-£20.

Remember those beautiful studded sandals from Burberry which were all the rage last year and the popular copies by Topshop? Well Matalan have got in on the act for next summer. Also on my list are ruffle-front, three strap Mary Janes; strappy, zip detail gladiators; and, stone the crows, they've only gone and done a copy of those black and white, Balenciaga gladiator sandals.

I'll do a best buys post later on this week.

... And all I got was this lousy t-shirt

Last week I went to quite a peculiar launch. It wasn't for fashion or clothing or shopping (well, not strictly speaking). It was for a new generation of mobile phone from the 3 network.

It's called the INQ1 and the main selling point of the new device, as far as I can see, is that it's got widgets that allow you to access social networking and other useful social sites.

Top of the list, of course, is Facebook but it also gives you instant access to skype, Windows Live Messenger and Last Fm. So far, so ever-so-slightly interesting, if your a tech-head who loves their toys. Apparently you get access to ebay too, though I didn't see that in the demo. But, hey, ebay, right? Shopping. Cool.

Still, I had to ask: what the hell was I, a consummate fashion blogger, doing there? Well, according to the PR men I was what they call a "voice", which means that I have the ability to influence opinions online (at least that's what I suppose it means, either that or Simon, I've got the X-Factor!)

I wasn't the only blogger there. There was Kirsty Lee from That's Just My Vibe, along with bloggers that I hadn't met before like Amanda Gore from psfk and Priyanka Kanse from Two Parts Mixer. Meeting these two people alone, was worth a couple of hours of my time.

Now don't get me wrong, I like these little juants that I get invited to. It's nice to be noticed and it's good to see the PR guys cottoning on to the fact that bloggers have a "voice". Besides, a London girl knows not to look a free-champaign-bearing gift horse in the mouth. And because other bloggers get invited too, it's fertile ground for networking and getting know other people.

I also know that there's an element of quid pro quo involved. I'm not stupid. I know I've been invited on the understanding that I will eventually use that "voice" I have, to write about where I've been and what I've seen.

So let me use that "voice" now and say this: it's an interesting enough phone and I'm sure that it has it's uses but... Being a blogger, the first thing I had to ask was: where's the easy access to blogging ware?

Secondly, being a fashion blogger n' all, why was the phone so damned plain? It wasn't covered in swarowski crystals, it didn't come in a variety of customisable colours, it wasn't shaped like a shoe or a handbag. Even the wallpaper was a little dull. So, what was in it for me?

So here lies my dilemma: one of the fringe benefits of blogging is getting access to events like this. But sometimes, it's not a perfect fit. I'd rather have been invited to London Fashion Week or a preview of Topshop's Spring/Summer 09 collection. But that's not happened yet. It will, I guess, with time and patience. For now, I go where I'm invited and see where that leads. It's like a game of Hopscotch, you keep moving forward to get to the next box.

This time I got a goody pack which consisted of a USB disk full of press bumf, a quite decent art print, and a t-shirt that I'll probably never wear. Maybe next time I'll get the red, swarowski crystal encrusted, shoe-shaped, blogger-loaded phone of my dreams. That would make things far more interesting for me. And for you.

Me with my rad new tee and print of the Geisha DJ... sweeeet!

If you're a fan of social networking on your mobile, you can find out more about it the INQ1 here. Be warned, there's audio video on the page so turn the sound off before you click if you're at work.

A few of my favourite things: Capes, cocoons and eggshapes

Yes, the trench coat may forever be a wardrobe classic but I've got to say I'm liking my coats a bit edgier at the moment. Capes seem to suddenly be the big thing this winter, even though they've been edging their way on to the high street for the past two winters, now. I think we've all only just got the hang of them.

I think my main problem with the cape has been: "too airy for winter." When you're neck deep in icicles (figuratively speaking, of course) the last thing you need is a coat with gaping sides and no sleeves. I've learned to combat this problem with lots of layers and arm warmers with elbow length gloves. Oh, and also if it's really cold, just wear a parka already!

The other eternal cape conundrum is: "where the hell do I put my bag now?" I generally put it in the crook of my elbow. Though the only real solution is don't carry a bag. Impossible, I know.

Clockwise from top: Black cape with contrast lining, Full Circle@Urban Outfitters; red checked, Full Circle; hooded, Oli; belted, Next; 3-button, Ted Baker

If you just can't be dealing with the cape and all it's doings, consider the faux-cape shape of the cocoon or egg-shaped. You've got that nice bit of volume but you've also got sleeves.

Clockwise from top: Cocoon parka, Full Circle; cropped trench, All Saints; egg coat, Full Circle; purple cashmere, Lizzy Lu @ASOS

Lastly, unless your trying out for a part in Sound of Music you might want to consider going skinny on your bottom half to balance out the volume on top. So - skinnies, leggings, pencil skirts, fitted dresses all look fab. Full skirts and wide legged trousers, do not. But what do I know? You probably like looking like you've been dressed by Quality Street when you leave the house of a morning.

Primark cape, American Apparel leggings, very old OTK boots.

Johnny Comme lately

So today was officially (except in Japan) Comme day and every able bodied woman in London was in Oxford Circus this morning buying up their own body weight in H&M designer collab merchandise. I had, wisely, decided that all that unseemly queueing, scrabbling and (possibly) biting was beneath me and didn't go.

Plus, who can be arsed to start their day queuing to get into the shops like it's some sort of war time rations day. I went to work instead. At about lunchtime, I changed my mind and thought I'd just go take a look just in case the mad swarms had left something behind. Of course it was too late. The baggy trousers and polka-dotted scarf that I might just have parted with my money for were long gone.

In a way I'm happy. I gave in to a wobble of temptation when I hadn't really cared enough to buy anything from the collection anyway. Obviously, the subliminal shopper in me had other ideas but was thwarted by those more consciously consumerist and more prepared to do anything to get what they want.

You'd think that, in these supposedly cash-strapped times, another heavily hyped shopping event would be greeted with an eerie silence and the sight of tumbleweed being casually blown across the street. Not so. It appears we are still in thrall to 30 years of continuous casual consumption.

I read an article by esteemed psychologist and author of Affluenza, Oliver James in The Times Magazine last weekend. It was about the recession and how, hopefully it would change our collective mentality from one of insane consumerism and lucre chasing to one with a more balanced view, where living life will be more important than acquiring things to fill that life with.

Says he: "Affluenza values will be replaced by the pursuit of intrinsic pleasures. Interest, enjoyment and the stimulation of a real challenge will become paramount: things are done for their own sake, not simply to please anyone else." Leaving aside the contradictions inherent in the fact that he is actually plugging his book - presumably to make a bit more money himself, it's still pretty heady stuff. Wouldn't it be cool if the silver lining to the credit crunch cloud is that we just pause a moment and realise that we can't continue to buy things that we mostly don't need.

But what would we do with ourselves when the sport of shopping suddenly ends? Well maybe we'll just all become more creative. Maybe our imaginations, dulled by the bottomless need to buy more stuff and to own whatever the latest celebrity du jour has, will be revived by necessity. And maybe if we stop watching the celebrities they'll go away. And what if we suddenly had to think twice about buying those multiple celebrity magazines because we have to choose to feed ourselves instead? Maybe they'd die and we could be content with the real world and looking at real people with real lives again.

This isn't some smug manifesto. It's just the stuff that's been going on in my head lately. It's not all fully formed but it's interesting to think about. I wonder if readers of this blog have been thinking about the threat of global recession and how it might just be the best thing that ever happened?

Read recession is a healer by Oliver James

Neccesity (and being a doofus) is the mother of invention

I'm just back from an abortive trip to John Lewis, Oxford Street. That's a pointless three hour round trip, if you're coming in from The Nethers. I am such a doofus.

It's nothing that JL did. I love John Lewis. They have the most polite knowledgeable staff anywhere on the high street. When you ask them a question be it regarding their own stock or even getting something somewhere else, they have the answers. If I could - and if it were legal - I'd marry them all. That is how much I love John Lewis. They can do no wrong.

Anyway, as I was saying, it was my own damned fault. I'd just got to the nice lady at the till with my haberdashery supplies when I realised I'd left my purse at home. Major bummer. Basically I was after some felt (can't have too much felt) and some shoulder pads. I have become obsessed with getting that high shouldered, structured look that's been about this season, and I thought I could do a DIY project around that.

On my abject and empty handed train ride back it occured to that I probably didn't need the shoulder pads anyhow because what I do have is a worn out push-up bra that I'd been wanting to get rid of. The cups are the perfect rounded shape and I could fill them out with some wadding that I just happen to have handy. What's that? Yes... I hoard wadding. Your point?

So, I cut out said bra cups and filled them with wadding and they look pretty much exactly how I wanted. Phase 2 will be finding the lucky unloved top that's about to get a major makeover. There's one around here somewhere...

Could it be time to Chiconomise?

It's pretty much a fact now that the money spending party's over and it's time to batten down the hatches and save, save, save. So what's a girl to do when the going gets tough and she can no longer afford a skinny latte, let alone the latest arm candy?

Why, Chiconomise, of course. Chiconomise-ing is the act of living stylishly for less. At least that's what it says on the weekly emails that I have started getting, chock full of insider offers covering fashion, beauty, eating and drinking out and books and art.

Founded by the fabulously frugal, Phoebe Frangoul and Michelle Dewberry (her off The Apprentice), this weekly newsletter is set to be the frugal fashionistas' worst kept secret. Timely too.

You can sign up for the weekly newsletter at Chiconomise.com, it just might save you a whole wad of cash.

Ack! I've been Primarked

Despite all my good intentions with the not spending more money and the focussing on the stuff already in my wardrobe, I've fallen at the feet of the mighty Primark monster.

I went there to check out the Gucci-alike shoes. They are rubbish. I mean really, really cheap looking - which, yeah, what do you expect for £15 but also, I've bought Primark shoes before and really, these are just cheap and tacky to look at. Disappointment.

I noticed that didn't stop anyone else buying them though. There was one woman who was stock-piling the shoes as if there was a famine coming and these shoes were on the menu. They'll possibly turn up in some market somewhere. Ebay, maybe? Trust me, don't bother. Buy something else, er, like I did.

Well I say, something but I believe the accurate term would be somethings. Because as soon as I had got into the store and been thoroughly disappointed by the Gucci-alikes, I became totally overwhelmed by the wall to wall shoe-age. Long story short, I am now the proud owner of some Primark red, faux-patent foldover pixie booties, purple faux-patent shboots, aaand black snow boots.

What do I want snow boots for? I don't know. I just took one look at them and a sleeker, taller image of me in shiny black leggings and other suitably frozen-tundra-chic garments, finished off with my new Primark snow boots, flashed before my eyes. I will. Make them work.

Silver lining? I only spent £35. Result.

Whatever happened to New Look?

I remember back when New Look first opened their flagship store in Marble Arch, London and walking up the sweeping staircase into their frankly, space-agey shop and gazing at their wall to wall shoe collection and thinking that I had died and gone to heaven.

This was pre-Primark, when everything was shiny and new, fast fashion was just on the rise, and New Look was the name on every frugal fashionista's lips. That was then.

In recent times, I think it's fair to say that New Look has lost it's way. On more recent visits to the flagship, I have been struck by how haphazard everything is. The layout is appalling, the garment offerings lacklustre and the shoes - which used to be the jewel in New Look's crown - are looking decidedly down at heel.

Despite attempts to bring a little sexy back with design collabs with Giles Deacon and Lily Allen, they've somehow managed to fall into that gap between cutting edge and frugal that they tried and failed to straddle. Even the opening of a another big city store in Moorgate has failed to impress - another poorly layed out shop, where there is simultaneously too much and too little going on. There's simply nothing to keep you there, let alone get you buying anything.

New Look now seem to be stuck in Limbo somewhere between Topshop and Primark figuratively and geographically speaking and it's not the best place in the world to be.

Personally, I think they missed a trick when they left it too long to join the internet shopping revolution. Their etail site - which if memory serves, they only managed to get off the ground a couple of years ago - still lags behind most other high street etailers in content and layout. It's not a site that sells their brand very well. The layout is unexciting and makes everything they offer look tawdry.

Still, on the bright side, a lot of people -myself included - still have a lot of love for New Look. Giles Deacon, despite it all, still continues to work with them; they've produced a durable - if still slightly bland - Limited Edition collection; their latest footwear offerings don't seem all bad; and their website problem is nothing that a good design refresh can't fix.

But what they most need is an image refresh. They need to get back the oomph and confidence they once had. They need to get some direction and idea of what they stand for and their place on the high street. Most of all New Look needs to remind us all who they are and why we should love them still. I, for one, look forward to that.