In today's blog I reveal the remainder of the accessories haul- hats and scarves. Not warm, utilitarian ones but glamorous, ' this is the life I want to lead ' ones. Well, certainly the hats. I want you to think more Le Touesserok than The Trossocks, more 'Mad Men'than 'Hi de Hi'!
Black Wide Brimmed Sun Hat £4
This hat is unbelievably good value and would be a brilliant addition to your holiday wardrobe. It's already found a home in the top of my cupboard. The hat is made of alternating bands of grosgrain ribbon and plaited straw which gives it a lovely nuanced look. The brim has just the right level of 'flop'- too much and you look like an extra from 'Little House on the Prarie' and too little, like Madonna in her Matadore get up!
See what I mean? The point ably demonstrated by my lovely Assistant.
Note the contrasting circles. The picture suggests a greater colour differential between the ribbon and the straw but in reality it's not that pronounced. It's just sufficient to add interest.
Although the hat works with virtually all colours- black is a sort of non colour colour- I've put it with this Mono Chrome Tribal Embroidered Kimono Top £35 from Marks and Spencer and picked out the lime green in the pattern with another Primark necklace- a snip at only £2. You are bound to have something in your wardrobe already which it will look great with.
Navy and Natural Striped Hat £4
This is essentially the same hat as the black one above but the straw used appears to be less treated ie undyed and is more stiff. The brim doesn't undulate ( for want of a better word ) in the same way but the effect, though different, is equally appealing. It would look good against strong reds or, of course, navy .
Straw Bag £8 Primark
Hat £4 Primark
The Kaftan is a flight of fancy somewhat although increasingly Marks and Spencer has 24 hour discounts of, usually, 20% . This makes the outfit more reasonable as a total spend- once you take into consideration how very little the other elements cost. You can see how I justify expenditure- much to the chagrin of the Bank ! It is stunning though and really makes a statement. I think it warrants a photograph of its own and, if I believed that any item, when thrown over a swimsuit,could take you effortlessly from Beach to Bar, this would be it! I don't actually believe it- who can relax covered in sand and sun oil? I still want it though.
A much more reasonable financial proposition and frankly a more practical one , is the Navy Crochet Kaftan from Dorothy Perkins at £26. The Canvas Tote £10 from Primark ( featured in Part 1 of the blog on Primark) sits very nicely with both the Kaftan and the hat.
Black and White Striped Hat with Integral Scarf £4
This is more substantial than the other two. It is heavier and although the scarf gives it a more casual vibe, it could easily be worn as day wear as opposed to being beach appropriate only . The lighter stripe , white with black running through it, contains a very fine silver thread. The effect, rather than being garish, is to brighten the white thread and increase the contrast.When it catches the light it is really very pretty. If there is a weak aspect it's the quality of the material used in the scarf. It's polyester but once I had trimmed the threads it looked a great deal better. That said, the silver rings through which the scarf is threaded are convincing - maybe I wouldn't leave it out overnight though as how long they would stay silver I don't know !
Cream Stretch Flower Bracelet £3 Primark
I think it packs the greatest punch against black though and looks very sophisticated when teamed with this Black Kaftan from Biba at House of Fraser £45.
The kaftan itself is stylish without being hysterical. The photo shoots of poolside lovelies one sees in the Sunday papers- complete with high mules, white sunglasses, a back combed "do" and a margharita- are all very well. Most of us would feel a little self conscious at the sun beds, where every other woman is in a viscose, transparent sarong or a pair of cut off shorts and their Boyfriend's T Shirt! It quietly whispers , "I have style and taste, but I don't need to scream it in your face - look and learn" .Or is that the voice that the prescription medicine is designed to silence?!!
Coral Pom Pom Edged Scarf £4
Pom Pom edged scarves are everywhere this season. Sometimes called Spanish Style , they are an instant way to update your look. It is a brilliantly useful size , being plenty big enough to wrap round your neck in an insouciant loop and, as with all the scarves I've chosen, to double up as a sarong.Its made from polyester but the weave is so loose that it promises not to cause you to overheat!
The style is very 'now ' and at £4, again , it's a real prize. You can certainly pay a great deal more. The scarf below from Jigsaw, although a stronger colour, is a mighty £59 . It is made from silk and wool so of wonderful quality, but fashion moves so quickly, I'd consider whether this is where I wanted to invest.
Navy and White Striped Oranges and Lemons Scarf £4
A scarf to make you smile. The bold citrus colours of the fruit look really fresh against the navy and white stripes. Lots of colours already in your wardrobe will sing with this one.
Black and White Striped with Lemons £4
The injection of colour in the lemons is a pleasing twist to this monochrome ensemble.
Coral and Pale Grey Scarf £4
A stronger, almost fluorescent coral, deepening to red in the centre detail of the roses.
The vibrancy of the print belies the cost and it looks very similar to the one available at Linea at House of Fraser for £25
Blue and Ecru Patterned Scarf £4
The use of the varying shades of blue against the pale background are reminiscent of Spode china and both the pattern and design look very high end. Rather unimaginatively, I've already worn mine with jeans, a white Crew bib fronted shirt and blazer. It nicely filled the gap of all that white and drew in the lighter wash of the jeans with the navy blazer. I love it !
Cornflower Linen Jersey T Shirt £34 Poetry .If you haven't come across Poetry before it's definitely worth a look. Lots of hot weather clothes in linen, jersey and cotton mixes. The colours are subtle and the styles are perfect for relaxed dressing.
White, Red and Navy Animal Print Scarf £4
Again , good deep colours and of a size which means it can double as a scarf or over a Swimsuit or Bikini as a cover up.
Lastly... Navy, White and Yellow Scarf £4
A crisp nautical design with the bonus of a batik / tile print style border at top and bottom.
I hope you have enjoyed the raid through Primark's accessories department. It really is worth a good look around and reminds me of the days when you were on holiday abroad and,because of a favourable exchange rate, you felt like a millionaire. A VERY long time ago, but the memory lingers. How great is it to find something you love, which looks great and which you don't have to break the bank for? Great indeed!
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