Marks & Spencer's 27-piece collaboration with celebrity favourite Bella Freud lands today in 30 selected stores and online.
When it comes to covetable knitwear, there’s simply none cooler than British designer Bella Freud’s.
A-listers love her slogan jumpers, Kate Moss made famous the ‘Ginsberg is God’ one in 2003 while Alexa Chung is a fan of the retro ‘1970’ and ‘Je t’aime Jane’, a tribute to Jane Birkin.
A rare combination of fun and stylish, Freud’s success has had admirable longevity – her own label still sells upmarket, ironic slogans by the bucketload.
The only drawback is the price, since cashmere jumpers start at £355. So if, like me, you’re a long-time fan who’s never had that much to spend on a sweater, then now is your chance.
Because Marks & Spencer’s 27-piece collaboration with this chicest of cool-girl brands lands today in 30 selected stores and online.
Pink ‘Honey’ jumper and caramel sweater, both £129, jeans, £45, and loafers, £45. All items marksandspencer.com
Red jumper, £129, scarf, £59, jeans, £45, and loafers, £55
Shirt, £99, trousers, £89, shoes, £45
Be quick though – it’s likely to fly off the shelves as quickly as Sienna Miller’s boho blouses did earlier this year.
M&S has form with quality, affordable cashmere, and that holds true in this range. And Freud’s contribution is a bold, modern colour palette and several of her unmistakable slogans.
It might feel like a slightly odd pairing, but I suspect this range is part of M&S’s strategy to appeal to a younger demographic without alienating its older, more sophisticated base – who will love most of what’s on offer here.
From the cosy caramel ‘HONEY’ design to the punchy, acid yellow V-neck style, all the jumpers, from £49.50, have a timeless feel.
It’s not only knitwear. There’s a 100 per cent silk shirt that’s a real steal at £99 – a similar shirt from Freud’s brand comes with a £475 price tag – and it would be hard to beat the way the M&S style hangs (no nasty static), with a soft sheen.
Stripes are everywhere: a navy pin-stripe trousersuit is Freud’s favourite, or there are classic black trousers that are beautifully cut and made from a weighty 55 per cent wool, which means they flatter both hips and bottoms.
An insider tip? They’ve got some much-needed extra leg length – which most regular M&S trousers sadly lack.
Rollneck, £139, vest, £49.50, skirt, £69, and boots, £79
V-neck jumper, £79, and trousers, £89
Beanie, £35, rollneck, £139, jacket, £129, and jumper, £129
Pinstripe jacket, £129, and trousers, £89, shirt, £99, and loafers, £55
There’s a pinstripe pleated mini-skirt, too – reminiscent of a school skirt, so unless you’re really into preppy style, this is one item I’d leave on the rail.
Instead, try the dark denim jeans which are a relaxed kick-flare style, available in sizes 6 to 24. Or for a hit of cosy glamour, the chunky ribbed scarves from £59 and beanies, £35, will make an instant statement.