Autumn 2011: Pearl Lowe at Peacocks

So the new Pearl Lowe range at Peacocks arrived this morning and what do you think? I haven't yet placed an order because I'm a little underwhelmed and unsure of what to purchase. I do like the shapes and colours, but there's something lacking, that excitement of the previous styles. You know I'm a huge fan of the range but I ended up having to send back the dresses I bought last time, because the fit and quality for me, wasn't up to scratch. Judging from the images on the website, the quality is yet again questionable and this upsets me, because it seems to have dwindled from the first couple of ranges and just ended up as everything being polyester. Here's a run-through of the collection...
My favourite piece without a doubt is the crochet collar dress, £40. It was the one I was most looking forward to from the previews and although the quality doesn't look as good as I was expecting, I think I'll still purchase this. It screams Pearl Lowe to me, I've seen her wear dresses like this a million times in her life, so it's really commendable that it's totally Pearl but available at Peacocks.
These plain 'jersey' dresses (or polyester/elastane!) £35 are based on the shape of the Joy floral dress from the summer. Now I didn't get on well with that one at all. It felt too big, it hung in an unflattering way from my body, rather than following my curves and the length didn't quite seem right either. It has all the design features of a well made dress, with smocking on the hips and shoulders to allow for flattering draping, however the choice of fabric doesn't really bode well with that. It can have it's good points but I can see how some would find it suffocating. This time it has long puffed sleeves which work well with the current 70's trend. The 'dark green' (looks turquoise to me) is an online exclusive, but the purple will be available instore. I also find £35 too much to spend on a plain jersey dress and this was the only design that even looked cheap on model Daisy.
Then we have a real 70's style patterned dress £45, not too dissimilar in shape to the jersey dresses. I like the colours of the floral pattern and the contrast section is a nice touch, again it has long sleeves and I really am a sucker for fabric covered buttons down the front! £45 is very pricey for what it is though. I didn't grudge paying it for the Peggy lace prom dress (from last years Christmas collection), but £45 for a casual 70's style that will probably be replicated in Primark for £17 or less? Hmmm, would make me grudge paying that.
Then we have the tile or polka dot tea dresses, £40. Much of the same, not sure it warrants that price but a pretty enough style. I'm also unsure if the high bust line and small V-neck opening will suit busty figures like mine. It looks lovely on Daisy though, one of the nicest on her.
The lace print dress £45 is slightly different to the tea dresses and I wasn't as keen on this from the promo pics. It's very 'shirt dress' which isn't my style and I'm not sure the horizontal stripes of lace would do anything for me. Again I have to complain about the price, it doesn't look like a £45 dress to me and certainly not when made of polyester.
There's also another chance to pick up the Honey black with cream bow dress £40 which has relaunched with this collection. This is a nice style (I have it in cream) and although it's also polyester, it feels very weighty and hangs well.

Overall I'm feeling disappointed. Remember my excitement at the H by Henry Holland and Red Herring dresses I was ogling in Debenhams the other day? Well, I think I'd rather pass on the PL and save my pennies for them, which is pretty heartbreaking considering I've championed this range from the start. Pearl has signed up for another year with Peacocks, so I hope the choice of fabric or even the quality to look at, improves. I'm also going to grudge paying postage for one dress (the crochet collar), but PL is very limited around the country and I know I'll never be at a store that does stock it, so I have no choice. What about you, will you be getting anything?