Archive By Alexa at M&S - The Best Bits...


Style Theory: There is no doubt I am a sucker for a collaboration especially if it involves Alexa Chung, she has such an eye for wearable fashion. Her incredible style joined with M&S prices make the new Archive by Alexa range very exciting

So how did it look? Well, the quality was good, sizing slightly hit and miss and the prices reasonable. The design details on each piece were very Alexa but as she is incredibly tall and super slim I wasn't sure how this would translate to a 5ft3, 41 year old woman who had seriously indulged over Easter. So I had a try on session in Marble Arch M&S today in between meetings to see and here are the results..
The Harry Blouse £35
This was always going to be my favourite piece in the collection and I must admit I love it. I bought a size 10 and found that it did come up a little small, it is really tight across the top of my arms (but I am a bit chunky there at the moment so with less Easter eggs it may be ok) I didn't size up as I am quite narrow across the shoulders and thought it may be too big..so plumped with the UK10 and the hope I will lose weight/the blouse will stretch! I prefer the pink colour over the white as I am a big pink fan but the white did look good.
The Ada Blazer £49.50
The Ada Trousers £39.50
Shoes - Gucci Marmont 
The blazer and trousers were a surprise hit. The blazer looks fab on, I sized down to a size 8 and it fits well at my shoulders and is a good length, I have a cropped blazer but was on the look out for a longer one and this fits the bill. I was slightly nervous about the serious 80s styling but I think it works. 
The trousers were also fab on, these are a size 10, they were quite tight across the waistband but as I said earlier I am definitely slightly bigger that normal so I think in normal time they would be ok. I love the button detail on each side of the waist with pockets. They are super high waisted so although they are cropped dont make your legs look too short. This whole look above is a fab work look, slightly 80s power suit but done in a 2016 way. 
The Eliza Dress £45
Again, I was surprised this looked nice on, I thought it would be too short but I really like it. It will be perfect for holiday with flat tan strappy sandals and for now I think I would wear with black opaque tights and my gold shoes above. The fabric is a linen-like feel but quite thick so it keeps it's shape. This is a size 10, again it was tight at the top of my arms but pretty loose everywhere else so I would say if you have slim arms to size down. I bought the 10 as did about 10 girls in front of me in the queue for the till!
The Misty Dress £45
This is a beautiful floaty dress but I was just too short for it. It comes up big so definitely size down. It would look fab with high strappy sandals for a spring/summer wedding.
The Elsie Dress £39.50
This is cute but I felt I was a bit old for it. This was a size 10 and fitted true to size.
The Myrtle Jumper £29.50
I love the colour of this sweater but it was thick and fitted. This is a size 10, not quite my style, it would look great on someone taller and slimmer (and not wearing a navy bra!)
The Frances Trench £89
I ordered this trench, firstly because I love the colour, secondly because of the name! They only had larger sizes left in store so I didn't try it on but will hopefully collect it tomorrow so will let you know how it looks.

All in all I thought the collection was really lovely and well priced, unfortunately the styling online really does not do it justice, it looked fab on Alexa Chung of course but I was glad when I stumbled across it in store. Hope this gives you a little bit of an idea of what it looks like on a 'normal' person.

Have you bought anything in the collection, is it your style or do avoid the hype? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx

56 comments:

  1. This is great Frances! I logged onto M&S website last night and bought the red Misty dress, the Harry shirt in pink and white, the Frances trench and the Ada Blazer and trousers - bought all pieces in both an 8 and 10 to cover all outcomes! So your blog is really well timed! I can't wait for it all to arrive. I also this week bought 2 pieces from the new Boden Icon range so I am flat broke this month now! Xx

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    1. Ha love it Kelly, you are obsessed like me. Love what you bought, what did you think of it all? Would love to hear what worked for you what didn't and what Boden Icons pieces did you buy, loving them too xxx

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    2. So...I only kept the Frances trench (in the 8 and it is really quite beautiful) and the Ada trouser suit (in the 10 - trousers tight!) - the rest of the collection I was disappointed in the choice of materials...

      I bought the Margot midi length skirt and the Linley Tuexdo shirt from the Boden Icons range and they are both stunning - really quite lovely - amazing quality and cut.

      xxx

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  2. You look great in them all Fran, the Harry blouse I adore, but I know will not be flattering on me with my boobs...... So please you got the Eliza dress, it was made for you!! xx

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    1. The only time I am glad to have no boobs AnneMarie! I do love the Eliza dress I think it will be fab on summer hols and I am not a mad fan of my arms at the mo (super chunky) so it will do a perfect job covering them up! xxx

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  3. Very envious of your updated 80s 'power suit' Frances. Love it. And the Harry blouse looks divine. Sadly having broad shoulders, the frills would only make me look even more like a rugby player so I will just have to admire it on you instead x

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    1. Isnt it such an 80s power suit, I love it Donna! You could never look rugby player in a million years you are so slim!! xxx

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  4. That trench is a must buy!! (sorry hubby we are eating noodles this week lol)I love it...It all looks amazing and you look amazing in all of it!!! xx Flick

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    1. Thanks Flick, sadly the trench drowned me I think you need to be a taller or size down a million sizes, it was a gorgeous piece and great for the price on the right body shape xxxx

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  5. My favourite is the trench but I've yet to see anybody in one. Did you get the size 8? It was available when I logged on earlier but I dithered and they've sold out in that size now. Oh well - I'll just have to admire it on you.

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    1. Yes Sue I got it in the size 8 and it was mahoosive, you can be safe in the knowledge it would have drowned you even in the 6 so it was good you dithered! x

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  6. This range looks like it was made for you Fran....you look gorgeous in all of it! My favourite is the Misty dress....I'm having a bit of a midi moment! Your review is brilliant....it's so good to have that inside knowledge on the fit of things for those of us who will have to resort to ordering online! ;0) Fab post....thank you for the heads up! xx

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    1. Thanks so much Michelle, you are looking amazing in your midi dresses at the mo, love them with the trainers, you are rocking the look xx

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  7. That white shirt is so sute! Love all these looks!
    iabiti

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    1. Thank you so much, I must admit the shirt is my favourite piece in the collection! xx

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    2. Thank you so much, I must admit the shirt is my favourite piece in the collection! xx

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  8. The Harry blouse looks lovely on you! Another wide shouldered one here, so I'll give the frilly look a miss. The Ada trousers and blazer look really chic and the Misty dress is a really similar pattern to a (very old) Principles sundress that I still have. All really nicely styled, thank you.

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    1. The red dress does have that familiar look I thought the same, in fact I have an old Miss Selfridge dress that is similar too xxx

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    2. The red dress does have that familiar look I thought the same, in fact I have an old Miss Selfridge dress that is similar too xxx

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  11. Hi please can someone give me a link to buy the misty dress

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