You’d Never Guess This New Collection Is Designed By Marks & Spencer

Much has been made of Marks & Spencer in recent weeks since Meghan Markle wore a jumper by the retailer on a visit to Brixton. The £45 sweater in question was a round-neck pullover with bell sleeves. It instantly sold out. Following on from this coup, M&S has released a first look at Autograph's new spring collection. So far, all signs point to the same success.

Understanding that in this fast-moving world we expect our clothes to keep up with us, Marks & Spencer’s new range is rooted in versatility. There’s a pale pink cotton dress that can pull a double shift with boots for day, and heels and earrings for night. A transformative leather jacket, priced at £249, adds instant value to denim and maxi dresses alike. A kimono belted white shirt can be cinched with skirts and tailoring depending if you’re on- or off-duty. And, the accessories, like the capacious totes and cone-heeled sling-backs are convincing sidekicks for spring.

A palette of chartreuse, mint green, lilac, grey and millennial pink may offer variety but on paper sound difficult to wear. However, the focus on block colours, with only a handful of prints on offer, means that enlivening clashes are encouraged. Take a sheer sky blue shirt dress and layer it with a lightweight lemon summer coat, or consider teaming wide-leg amber palazzo pants with a soft blush blazer to maximize this opportunity.

Even though Marks & Spencer’s troubles have been well-documented - store closures, profit drops and plummeting share prices - it looks likely that their new spring Autograph collection will steer the ship to calmer waters. Or, at the very least catch the eye of the royal fanbase once again.