New floral dress from M&S is a real season winner

Stylefile: A special Mother’s Day, and Sarah Swan’s new collection of luxury scarves

Marks and Spencer’s new collection includes this floral midi dress for €60. Photograph: Kieran Harnett

This floral midi, a winner from Marks & Spencer, shows how to layer a dress over trousers – or even a longer skirt – and team it with any of the many colours contained in its dark patterns. It costs €60, trousers €49 with matching coloured slingbacks €27.

Shown at a recent presentation, their spring offerings included a good mix of striped dresses with flattering tie fronts, khaki skirts and trousers, a lot of easygoing overshirts and of course, their usual fresh takes on trench coats – in gingham and seersucker – at affordable prices.

A scarf by Sarah Swan from her new collection, which comprises five designs

Swan song

Dublin-based art historian turned fashion designer Sarah Swan has just launched her new collection of luxury scarves in palettes to suit every skin tone.

Digitally printed in Italy, the five new designs have names like La Mer Atlantique (camels and soft green tones), North Atlantic (rich blue/greens), Caribbean (warm reds, oranges and purples as well as cooler greys and blues) and London Vector (strong primary colours). These oversized scarves made in small quantities in 20 per cent cashmere and 80 per cent modal cost €249 and can be found in boutiques like Havana, Donnybrook,  Kalu in Naas, Clothes Peg in Sutton, Blue in Blackrock, Juju in Greystones as well as online at www.sarahswandublin.com.

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This blue suede bag by Coccinelle for €280 from Arnotts is an ideal Mother’s Day gift

Mother’s Day special

Mother’s Day being tomorrow, Arnotts have engaged local Irish artist Tara O Brien to create personalised illustrated Mother’s Day cards with customers asked to bring along photos of their mothers to make them extra special – and there’s also an instore photo booth in the beauty hall just for today. As for a Mother’s Day gift, this Coccinelle bag from their accessories department would be ideal for a woman who wears denim – and who doesn’t?