Mmmm I'm so not Sienna Miller...

...or Kate Moss. You know the boho chick fash off thing that happened, well I didn't join in. I think while it was going on I was still spending my summers in neoprene in Cornwall. I was much more a surf chic and so some bikinis, tee shirts and a few jumpers was my lot. I'd use my towel as a skirt.

But I've always been drawn and of course over the years the look has become a mainstream de facto look for the summer. When I was asked to do a product review for boho clothing company Joe Browns it did pique my interest as I'd often received an unsolicited catalogue. However I am sort of caught in this blogging hole where I'm coming to the conclusion marketing peeps don't really read my blog or know my work.

To clarify I have worked for years and years in the fashion industry at Elle magazine, as a stylist and I have an MA from LCF. I've undertaken retail consultancy and worked for a number of year in marketing to earn a shed load of money to keep me in the handbags I wanted. I am always going to have an opinion and for good reason - the retail industry is in dire straits depending on what you are selling.

I struggled to select an item from Joe Browns as the web imagery isn't great and of course the clothes weren't really me. The Menswear is a far stronger offering and I wish I'd ordered from the men's shirt section! The versatile checked shirt delivers but I'm not sure the womenswear does. My first choice wasn't available in my size and I wasn't sure what to select next. Sharon Rose of My Style made the selection of the maxi dress I nearly opted for. I went for the Perfect Patchwork Kaftan to enter into the boho clothing spirt.

In short, it came, I tried it on, it is useful - I will wear it on holiday I'm sure but I immediately cut off the ties which were pointless. I also wished the design and colours were different but I was quite pleased the size 10 was too big (vanity!). But Sharon was absolutely right to call the Joe Browns peeps lovely, as they sent me a sample of their Sloe Joe Joggers in size 10. I'm always in search of a pair of these things that fit me because they never do. Well these babies fit PERFECTLY. They are a lovely cotton and just perfect for wearing to the gym or apres tennis when its cold.

What has happened is Joe Browns is stuck in a niche offering but boho has moved on and getting the design absolutely right even at the lower retail offering is key. Folks are cutting back and this means not buying, not buying cheaper. Retailers are going to have to revise, revise and revise to keep customers and grow.

If womenswear is the smaller side of the business then they need to simplify the offering and step away from their view of boho. I don't know who they consider their target audience but I know it isn't me. Except for their guys shirts and those sportswear joggers.

Online Review - Very.co.uk

When I was asked to review Very, I was slightly hesitant as I'd never used them at all. I hadn't even to my knowledge picked one single item for High St Pick of the Week - which of course these days includes online retailers.

I suppose I was always put off by the Fearne Cotton thing. I'm really not a big fan of 'celebrity' collelections. I think VB and Dannii Minogue have done well to approach the career change in a considered fashion. But celebrity lines do on the whole leave me cold.
But forced again to look at Very with fresh eyes, i.e. selecting an item, I found much to approve off. The site has a good selection of items from £5 to £300. It is in the main competing with ASOS, but offers a different range of items although there are some cross overs, which is inevitable.

The South brand of clothing seems unique to Very and although the brand doesn't seem to have a design ethos, more of a catch all, there are some great gems in their retail offering. I selected a South Feather Printed Dress - my youngest cousin has a wedding in August and I thought it would look lovely by the beach, with a slight hue of golden glow after holidaying in Italy.

It arrived in a very loud bright pink bag which is a great sight to behold, very cheery! The product was better than expected in terms of design, material and finish. I think it looks a lot more expensive than the £45 price tag, which is great value for money. I'd like to think it was my expert stylists eye at picking the item out and I'm sure some of it was but items don't always translate well from the image to the bedroom bed. Yep I flung it on there but in pleasure not dismay.



The only dismay came when I tried it on, just a little bit too small but then I've not selected this brand before and so have no idea whether the template is one that will never work with my body or I should have selected size 12. However, vanity and hard work on the fitness front got the better of me so I've not challenged Very's customer service by sending it back and getting the next size - nope I'm attempting a 'challenge Anneka' and hoping in 6 weeks time the zip will run up with ease!

In summary Very offers another option and when has shopping around been a chore. It has a good range to browse and select from. The site images aren't great nor is the styling of items. In fact the site is too basic and as many on-line retailers will find out the design, flow and aspirational feel of internet shopping is key to success. I'm also confused to the range of offerings and judged it purely as a fashion go to. Although it does seem to offer the kitchen sink as well.