AT A PREVIEW of its spring/ summer collections for 2012, Penneys has revved up its high fashion credibility.
It served up car prints and pastels directly influenced by Prada, but also with a nod to designers known for their mastery of print like Erdem, Jonathan Saunders and Mary Katrantzou.
Colours were sweet and sugary and shapes were taken from the celluloid Fifties and Sixties, all prom dresses, bandeau tops, zippy blouses and high-waisted skirts.
Some dresses, like one in a “meadow” print and a sleeveless hibiscus print on black, looked more than their €19 price tags.
The safety net from this technicolour melange was a monochrome transition of black and white print, shot with red like a racer geometric print dress and a zany black and white polka dot mac that could blend into an existing black wardrobe.
New next season, however, are pale, pallid, watery shades that drift into pleated dresses, some dip dyed, some with drop hems, with soft blazers, giving a fresh shake-up to traditional shapes.
Little details like scallop-edged collars, puppy prints and lace front cardigans underlined the ironic femininity of the collection – soft looks for tough urbanites.
There was bite in the sweetness from leaf green cropped jeans, neoprene tank tops and even a bright yellow patent duffel like a traditional sou’wester.
Accessories like chunky multicolour suede stilettos, leopard print sunnies and the obligatory floppy straws also made their mark.