Jackie O’s retro chic — on the cheap

AT THIS time of year, most women start to come out of fashion hibernation. As the bulbs break through and spring-like days dawn, so we emerge into the light as we find ourselves — finally! — drawn towards clothes with colour and vibrancy.

What better time, then, for high street chain Uniqlo to launch a collaboration with Finnish textile company Marimekko? Their inspiration, they say, is to invite all women to ‘discover the joy of being bold’.

Even if you don’t know the name yet, you will certainly be familiar with Marimekko’s designs — the most famous of which is the ‘Unikko’ (Finnish for ‘poppy’) print. Since its creation in 1964, countless products including

tableware, ceramics, umbrellas, bed linen and even footwear have been adorned with the pattern, which has been reproduced in more than 100 different colourways.

When Jackie Kennedy bought seven Marimekko dresses in the early Sixties (wearing a sleeveless red design on the cover of Sports Illustrated), the brand took on a glamorous edge which it never lost.

decades later, when wardrobe and set designers were busy turning Sex and The City’s Carrie Bradshaw into a global style icon, they picked out a Marimekko bikini for her to wear and had Marimekko curtains hung in her home.

The collection for Uniqlo is your chance to buy into a bit of that glamour — at High Street prices. Stylish, wide-leg, cropped trousers are £34.90, short-sleeved dresses at as little as £19.90 and bags and sneakers come in under £20, too.

The prints are unapologetic. Colourful polka dots, bright geometric prints and retro floral designs will more than satisfy your cravings for springtime vibrancy.

If, however, you are wary of full-on print, don’t be put off. Uniqlo is a practical brand, so has included a monochrome version of nearly all the designs.

Print-phobes can take heart, too, as the collaboration includes ‘reverse’ versions of many designs, where the print is used as a detail rather than across the entire piece.

The online launch will take place on March 29 with the collection available in stores the following day.

don’t delay as the run is limited and designs are sure to sell out fast. Well, if it’s good enough for Jackie Kennedy . . .

uniqlo.com dunelondon. com uniqlo.com schuh.co.uk Vest, £24.90, and trousers, £39.90, Loafers, £75, Vest, £24.90, culottes, £34.90, and spot bag, £19.90, Stan Smith trainers, £50,

Dot t-shirt, £12.90, and skirt, £34.90, uniqlo.com Heels, £30, next.co.uk T-shirt, £12.90, and trousers, £24.90, uniqlo.com Stan Smith trainers, £50, schuh.co.uk Shirt, £24.90, dress,£34.90, and bag, £19.90, uniqlo.com Shoes, £215, lkbennett.com...