BRIGHT colours, of the kind the fashion industry calls "strong pastels", ushered in spring when Arnotts, the Dublin department, store, held a show featuring the Gil Bret range. Vera Mont and Betty Barkley are two other labels from this stable, but the show concerned only Gil Bret, who is in the store for the first time.
These clothes, said the compere, were for, "the successful woman who knew what she wanted". So failures and ditherers need read no further.
Gil Bret is mainly associated with coats, and the season's latest are in showerproof hi tech materials, light as a feather, or are in cotton and linen mixes. The most appealing must be the short, belted mac that squashes into a bum bag (£154.95) which, for practicality, could not be faulted.
Or there is the novel idea of two coats in one (£129.95) with a choice of stone/beige, and stone/ pale apple green.
These can be worn together, or, in milder weather, separately. The short and swinging styles make them perfect for slipping over a sheath dress and jacket, the latest look. Glamour comes in the guise of a silver, mini trenchcoat (£189.95) and there are the more usual classic trenches.
However, this is very much a suit and dress collection, and tangerine, lime and some sizzling pinks are among the favourite colours. Suits and sheath dresses are short, with long matching jackets, very much a revamp of the 1950s. Among these is a tiny check, figure fitting suit (jacket £154.95; skirt, £69.95). Or, there is a sheath dress (£104.95) and matching coat (£189.95), very pleasing in pale butterscotch.
This collection is feminine and puts to rest, finally, the layered look, which hid everything. These bright, head turning numbers not only hail spring, but seem to imply women are ready for some traditional glamour.