After spending years advising others, retail guru Mary Portas puts her professional reputation on the line in the new C4 series Mary Queen of Frocks. Mary has launched a line of clothing which she aims to bring high street style to women over 40, proving that middle-aged women’s clothing doesn’t have to be dry and boring, it can be sexy and modern.
Mary’s new collection is featured in the House of Fraser’s flagship store on London’s Oxford Street and also available online. Mary believes the foundation of great dressing is Seven Easy Pieces which are a great dress, jacket, trouser (one slim, one wide) and a white shirt, skirt and knit.
Mary Portas The No Brainer Dress. If I only had space in my wardrobe for one dress, this would be it. You can throw this piece over a t-shirt, my Armery, great hosiery or leggings. I call it my No Brainer. Without doubt the best dress in the collection.
Mary Portas The Pencil Skirt. This skirt is a real dream to wear. It is high-waisted and made from Ponte, a magical material that holds everything in. Just showing the sexy bottom part of the leg.
Mary Portas The Wide Leg Trouser. There is nothing better than a great pair of Tux trousers that you can wear with a high heel or one of my Mary boots which are so easy to throw on. They also look fabulous with a simple shirt. This is beautiful dressing made easy!
Mary Portas The Slim Leg Trouser. Leggings are the easiest thing to wear but often the easiest thing to get wrong. If they are not fitted and don’t have the right fabric in them, its an instant fail. I have made these high waisted with zips and from a really strong Ponte fabric so your body looks mean and ready for action.
Mary Portas The Slouchy Knit. I call this The Slouch. The most beautiful thing in a jumper is when you see it slightly falling off a woman’s shoulder, its sensual. It is cut so it drops down at the back to hide your butt and slightly up at the front to give that swishy, slouchy, sexy feel.
Mary Portas The White Shirt. My white shirt. It can be worn over a vest or on its own. It is the most relaxed gorgeous shirt you can buy, very French chic.
Mary Portas The Tux Jacket. Every woman should have a great Tux jacket. This was cut by Antonio Berardi when he flew in to visit. Its so flexible you can wear it with wide pants, straight legged trousers or jeans.
Shop the Mary Portas Seven Easy Pieces Collection online at House of Fraser now.
