I think the lack of sleep and inability to do my hair properly is really starting to show in these pictures but I wanted to do an Inés de la Fressange at Uniqlo review before I sort out my returns. As you will know if you are a regular reader, Inés is my style icon so I get very excited when a new range comes out although I still think the Autumn ranges tend to be better than the Spring. However before we start, here are a few things to consider:
- Everything comes up short in body length, I’m not sure whether this is because Uniqlo work with a Japanese frame in mind but it’s a problem for people over 5ft 5 (and a benefit for those of you who are petite).
- Inés is always open about the fact that she favours low rise trousers which really don’t work for me so I avoid them and tend to stick to the tops.
- The quality of cloth is fantastic and puts many of the top end high street retailers in the UK to shame, as is the attention to detail.
This is what I ordered:
I ordered this in both large and medium to avoid clinginess. I know I should have fake tanned my legs for a better look (sorry) but you’ll have to imagine it’s a balmy June day. I like the way that it’s 5 cm longer at the back than the front and the quality of the cotton is fantastic, a heavy jersey. Here it is in a medium:
and in large, either would work depending on the kind of fit you like. Remember I’m a standard 12 in brands like Boden or M&S.
Verdict: I like it and it’s great value but it’s a shame that it doesn’t have a better neckline – a boatneck would have been much more flattering.
This is short in the body and arms – I ordered a medium but would need a large. It’s a much heavier quality than most bretons and dips at the back slightly with a split hem.
Verdict: another great value item but size up.
Everybody raved about these sweatshirts in the Autumn collection but I was too slow and missed them. It’s all true, they are fantastic, a loose weave cotton and so comfortable, the sort of thing you’ll turn to all through Spring and Summer, great value.
Verdict: buy one while you can (I’m wearing a large by the way which feels the right fit). Here it is in cream…
… and in navy. I really love these. Some colours are sold out at the moment but they restock regularly so keep your eyes peeled:
Now this is the item I was most disappointed by. Tipping (the edging of colour and cuffs in a contrasting colour) is a big trend for Spring, especially in white and navy. I don’t know whether you’ve noticed over the last couple of Summers but classic cotton t-shirts have largely been discarded in favour of little knitted tops or silk tees (of course slogan t-shirts and distressed grey ones are still cool but plain cotton tees are off the radar). Anyway, this just looked ‘meh’ to use a blogger term.
Better with a blazer but even so, as one of the more expensive items in the range I wasn’t keen.
Verdict: I really want a tipped tee for Spring, as this was a medium I may try sizing up and imagining it with a suntan:
This sold out within minutes but is still available in blue and more stock will follow. It is a lovely crisp cotton shirt that is just the right length for exposed tails. I’m wearing it with a Boden cashmere v-neck but it would also be the perfect shirt for wearing over a bikini, J Crew style. It’s half the price of the long shirts being offered by other ‘good’ retailers (I’m sure you know who I mean).
Verdict: a wardrobe classic, buy one if you can.
So, there you have it, a few classic French staples. I can’t believe that the thing I’m most excited about this week is tomorrow’s cortisone injection in my shoulder but I just can’t wait. Hopefully by the end of the week my puffy face and unkempt hair will be gone. In the meantime thank you for your kind words, you’ve helped to keep my spirits high during this tedious period of enforced rest. I have typed this slowly over a few hours so don’t shout at me in the comments but do let me know what you think of the Inés range, I’m especially intrigued by these cotton skirts, I can picture them worn with a simple top and straw basket at a French market but I’m concerned they’d look frumpy out of situ – what do you think?
