Wee Birdy

Update: Kate Moss for Topshop

Is it possible to publish a retraction on your own blog?

So ... I just stopped by Topshop at Oxford Circus today for a quick look around, and (surprise, surprise) the latest Kate Moss stuff wasn't exactly impressive. In fact, it was kinda shockingly bad. And uh, really overpriced. Why was I so optimistic, considering all the cold, hard facts?

It just took a 10 second dash around the racks to confirm the worst. (I still quite like the idea of the little tunic, but not at £60. It looked like something you wouldn't mind paying five quid for at Primark. Maybe.) 'Nuff said.

Meanwhile, I headed downstairs to the indie designer section in the basement and spied some rather lovely summer frocks (at reasonable prices, too). Only problem is, a lot of the cuts were a bit on the wee side. One of my more petite friends picked up an incredibly sweet striped red shirt with puffy sleeves by Sahrei Lamar London.

She also scored a rather Marni-esque frock across the road at Gap. With a heavy, almost utilitarian cotton drill fabric combined with fitted shoulders and an exposed zip at the back, it was a total steal at £39. Quite beautiful in its simplicity, and it totally kicked Kate's arse.

Online shopping: Kate Moss for Topshop

Clockwise from top left:
Broderie Anglaise dress, £60.
Embroidered Tunic Dress, £60.
Daisy print tea dress, £60.
Kate’s 50s-style dress, £45.

Wait. What? Kate Moss for Topshop garments that I’d actually consider wearing?

I’m quite mad for a good summer frock, and these little lovelies are perfectly wearable. Not sure that I’ll actually follow through to the check-out, though (but I do quite like the white tunic dress).

The first (and last) time I considered La Moss involved some rather hot, sweaty and downright undignifying moments in the dressing room. (Hey! Not as dirty as it sounds! You know that manic hopping-on-the-spot-fight-dance you do when you’re stuck in a top that was clearly designed for a child, not a grown woman? That was me. I choreographed a new version. I like to think of it as a breakaway-pop pastiche.) Sigh.

Of course, there's also the problem of it being so bleeding obvious.

So, what say you? Can you be bothered?

Topshop Oxford Circus
216 Oxford Street
London W1D 1LA
Tel: 020 7636 7700

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Nearest tube: Oxford Circus

Top Bird loves: H&M's tribute to Marimekko

Oh joy! H&M has just revealed its killer 70-piece tribute collection to Marimekko, due to arrive in stores on April 10. Initial verdict? Marimekko fans will be deliriously happy with the signature big, bold splashes of colour and wild prints, not to mention the extremely affordable prices (e.g. 3-button apron dress £30.65; tunic top £11.45; sun hat £11.45; scarf £15.30; and one-piece swimsuit £23).

At the same time, it's an ultra-wearable collection in mostly cottons and jerseys with an appealing throw-on-and-go element. (I love that part about summer fashion.) The punchy palette features dynamic combinations like red and pink; olive and orange; red and turquoise; and red, white and black.

Here's what I may consider doing something dire for on April 10:

Take a look at the tees from the men's collection:

And the super-cute kids' line-up comes with a co-ordinating teddy:

So, what do you think?

Click here for H&M stores in London.

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Top Bird loves: Spring Topshop stuff

I haven't bought anything from Topshop for ages. Lots of looking, not much buying. But that's all changed with the new designer ranges by the likes of Marios Schwab, Christopher Kane and Jonathan Sauders. Sadly, my favourite Marios Schwab dress has sold out (no surprises there), but you can see the very fabulous Susie Bubble wearing it here. However, I quite like this ultra-sweet Richard Nicholls striped cotton dress with a summery ruffled bib:

Richard Nicholls dress, £70, from Topshop.

Finsk's covetable collection of shoes for Topshop are also on my wishlist. Not exactly bargainous, though:

I'm particularly excited by the kitten heels and sandals which wouldn't pose too much of a threat to my poor old arthritic toe. I can remember a time when I would have run ten miles from anything kitten-heel-esque. God forbid the chunky ankle (chunkle) effect. It's amazing how chronic pain has made kitten heels my friend, and chunkle the least of my problems.

Elsewhere on Topshop online, I quite like this pretty suede clutch with an oversized bow:

Large zip-top bow clutch, £30, from Topshop.

And check out this super-lovely brooch I found:

Lady Walker brooch, £7, from Topshop.

Cute, huh? Nice price, too, and it's just the thing to perk up my totally-over-it winter coats. Hmmm, I just might have to pay Topshop a visit tomorrow ...

Totally hoot now

I know. It’s another tote. But seriously, how could I possibly not post about this little beauty?
It’s designed by Eley Kishimoto (and that’s the sound of me dropping everything and jumping to attention).
It has a damn fine-looking owl on it.
It replaces plastic bags and gets a big green tick of approval.
It’s made from organic cotton.
It’s for a charitable cause, Cancer Research UK.
It’s freakin’ £2.99.
And why look, it doesn’t have “I'm not a plastic bag” scrawled across it.

The Fukuro bag is available to buy at your nearest Cancer Research UK or Wishes shop from 7 March 2008.