- The Observer,
- Sunday August 6 2006
Remember the Primark £10 polka dot shirt-waister? The dress of this summer that sold over 90,000 units in a matter of moments, became Primark's biggest seller of all time (by some 60,000), and proved the most useful single piece any of us can remember snapping up on impulse, like, ever. Which is why those of us lucky enough to find one in our actual size, are still wearing it, and still feeling very smug about it. However, the polka frock is soon to be supplanted. Introducing the next super-hot buys from Primark: hot buy 1) the supremely desirable £10 graphic print frock, which straddles the line between pretty and chic, and hot buy 2) the £15 leopard print coat, which is pretty much the sartorial moment incarnate, with its crop sleeves, and its animal print, and its tiny pockets, and its swingy hem, and its nod to vintage, and oh, just in more ways than we can list! Anyway. The frock's in store right now; and the coat lands mid-September. Be ready.
We know they're cheap ... but we love them anyway
1. Tu at Sainsbury's
Rising star among the good- looking supermarket fash ranges. Look out for the incoming jersey bubble dress. It's £20, it's next season's grey, it's in store from September.
2. Matalan and Peacocks
Making serious in-roads into the super-sleek, super-cheap territory currently monopolised by Primark. And now Matalan's doing homeware ... hoorah!
3. Backstreet pedicures
Much more thorough than the branded nail shop version, and half the price.
4. Ikea
Not our favourite way to pass a Sunday, admittedly, but we couldn't love our £59 red chrome sideboard more if we tried.
5. Skype
And also, the sons of Skype, among them: Tesco Phone. Brilliant!
6. Barbara Daly skincare
Another Tesco goodie. Does the job of considerably more expensive equivalents. Nice packaging, too.
7. The Bus
So leisurely! Such views! AKA The Bliss.
