Monsoon and Accessorize

Happily,  Monsoon are doing their little bit for the corner of the planet and are working towards good ethical practices.  Monsoon have created a niche market for occasion wear and can be used as a cheaper substitute to Coast.  Their designs are feminine with an emphasis on embroidery, bows and embellishments. They let themselves down with some cheap materials that damage their reputation. This season is all about Aztec prints, sequined dresses, appliqued materials and fake fur.

Accessorize have some cute pj's this season. Their sequined material bags are always a winner at £35. Check out their tights in an array of colours from £6-£12.50.

The Shopping List

• Dresses and their day dresses are the best value for money and style £45+

• They have a few floaty evening/prom dresses that are good value at £50+

• They are using some genuine, printed fabrics from eastern countries that are beautiful and not ridiculously pricey.  If it weren't for the fact that thousands of others were wearing the same print, you might think you had spent your summer in Laos! Check out their Aztec prints this season.
  

• Particularly good at T bars and wedges. Although they are presented cheaply,  they are modestly expensive at £40+ 

• Good quality fine cotton knitwear but little Cashmere £36+

• Fair trade cotton £16+ - we have to put this in because it is brilliant ethically but the vests and tops are not that wonderful ..sorry...why not commit to giving the same amount of money to a charity?

Purchase With Care

Watch the price 

The white cotton gypsy tops are a bit pricier than I would pay especially when other lower end high street retailers sell them for £10-£15 cheaper.

Too much bling and embellishment?

Knitwear 

Jackets

Monsoon sometimes have a tendency, in our opinion, to over embellish and ruin a great jacket with a giant bow in an odd place etc. Choose your embellishment carefully.  After all, it's the detail that you are paying for so it should enhance the outfit rather than degrade it!

'Oh my goodness, we've got the same dress on' Alert! 

You always run the risk if you buy from Monsoon that another person will be wearing the same dress for the same special occasion. If you do choose to buy a special dress from Monsoon, it is worth accessorising it and making it your own. Whatever you do, and sometimes the temptation will be great,  don't head straight for their jewellery section to get a necklace that matches. Dear me no, this would be far too obvious and unoriginal!

Dull Shoe Alert!

Their occasion wear shoes are quite dull on the whole.

Fake Fur Alert!

Take yourself somewhere else to purchase your fake fur. This is not the store to buy it. It is not very stylish and very overpriced (£150!).  Check out No Knicker's blog, Fake Fur Tragedy, for some timely tips on buying fur.