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New at Topshop

September 7, 2007 by WendyB

Of the Kate Moss pieces available at this moment on Topshop.com, I like this tweed jacket the most. I’d have to see it personally to decide if it was worth 75 pounds.

This grey cashmere sweater is also cute, but again, 65 pounds seems like a lot for what I think of as Topshop quality. Are these special collections supposed to be a higher quality than the rest of the product?

And the Celia Birtwell copy of a vintage Ossie Clark dress (for more on that issue, click here) has arrived, priced at 150 pounds. I must confess that this just screams “poor fit” to me, especially in the waist, but maybe it’s better on. Or the photograph is just bad, because based on this photo, I wouldn’t have believed it was silk if the website didn’t say so. The photo reads polyester.
Below, you can see the 1971 dress that inspired the Topshop dress.

Photo courtesy of the V&A
Dress was loaned to the V&A by the very charming Al Radley

If you crave the Ossie look but can’t afford an original, Topshop’s Celia Birtwell line is definitely a good alternative. But, instead, I’d suggest looking in vintage stores and on eBay for Ossie-esque vintage. There are usually a lot of pieces from the ’60s and ’70s that have his sort of feel and can be had for less money than the Topshop copies. Plus the vintage pieces will be one of a kind, and that’s always more fun than masstige, no?

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Filed Under: clothing, Ossie Clark, vintage

Previous Post: « Maid in Manhattan?
Next Post: More Latex Leggings (and Coats) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. B.lush says

    September 7, 2007 at 7:40 pm

    O I agree with you about the dress. Structure can a girl’s best friend when it comes to curves.

  2. Jane says

    September 7, 2007 at 7:45 pm

    Vintage only works if you’re a size 2. Bring on the TopShop frock for me!

  3. evie says

    September 8, 2007 at 3:14 am

    crazy pricing isn’t it? i wonder if it really is worth paying so much for what was inspired from kate’s wardrobe instead of it being an original design…

  4. Romeika says

    September 8, 2007 at 5:33 am

    I think the same when it comes to Topshop, the quality is no better than Zara or H&M and for some reason the prices are always higher:-S The garments you picked look great though.

  5. Shaz says

    September 8, 2007 at 7:29 am

    i actually really love the tweed coat it looks like a timeless winter staple. The sleeves on the grey cashmere sweater are unique and look absolutely flattering. But in Australia we don’t have top shop, so i wouldn’t know much about their quality but judging solely on the design i think they look great.

  6. Jewel Box says

    September 8, 2007 at 8:44 am

    I was rather disappointed the with Kate Moss collection too. The orange (or green) floaty dress is pretty, but it look suspiciously like the famous white (or black) one from the summer collection. Otherwise I though the clothes were pretty blah. The jacket is very nice though.

  7. GCA says

    September 8, 2007 at 9:19 am

    I think Topshop has confused the prices with Kate Moss’ weight.

  8. Frasypoo says

    September 8, 2007 at 11:43 am

    I hate vintage sizing too!!! But I will search for a great bargain!

  9. dianabobar says

    September 8, 2007 at 3:51 pm

    that is such a knock off!!!! omg!

  10. Fashion Tidbits says

    September 9, 2007 at 4:20 am

    Hey there,
    Your blog is so fun to read, you have such interesting blog entries…:) the cashmere sweater IS gorgeous isn’t it?

  11. Valley Girl says

    September 9, 2007 at 10:17 am

    We don’t have Topshop here. =( I love that jacket.

  12. In Yr Fshn says

    September 10, 2007 at 6:52 am

    Isn’t topshop supposed to be heading to NY? I keep putting off my bf when he wants to discuss moving because I had read that in the NYT that it was opening a branch here. Of course, I never use that as a real excuse to him, but I’ve wanted to go to a Topshop for about ten years now!

  13. WendyB says

    September 10, 2007 at 6:58 am

    Re Topshop, they keep talking the talk, but nothing ever happens with them. It’s been going on for years…

  14. In Yr Fshn says

    September 10, 2007 at 10:37 am

    It’s quite frustrating. And now I see signs posted everywhere: Topshop ships to the US! And I’m like, What’s new? It just doesn’t seem worth all that shipping charge for clothes that are H&M quality (from what I’ve heard…)

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MEET WENDY BRANDES

Award-winning designer of fine jewelry inspired by women's history and pop culture. A former journalist who writes about jewelry, fashion, medieval history, news, feminism, dogs, cats and whatever else is on her mind. Blogging since 2007.
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