WHEN it comes to fashion sometimes the best pieces can often be found where we least expect it.
Over the last decade that has never been truer, with the High Street churning out some big bang on trend styles at a fraction of designer prices.
We’ve come to accept that it’s perfectly ok to team up high fashion designer pieces with charity shop finds, vintage clothing and generic high street pieces.
In fact, it’s almost become a requirement to prove real style and flair for fashion.
And that’s where Lidl Northern Ireland comes in. Recently they launched their debut Esmara Autumn/Winter collection – and the response from everyone at the launch was surprise.
Faux leather jacket £14.99 on sale now
Autumn colours
The whole collection is a beautiful mixture of rich colours like Bordeaux red, olive green and grungy greys and blacks with the focus of the collection being on functional staples, plush fabrics and elegant layering.
Key season staples have already started to arrive in stores including the Esmara faux leather biker jackets in tan or black and Chelsea boots in a variety of styles and colours – all just £14.99 each.
Wearable and affordable
This season the Esmara collection has a focus on trends that are wearable, affordable and timeless pieces.
A range of textures, prints and colours can be seen in items such as their skinny trousers in colours like black, rust and leopard print (£8.99), printed shift tops (£6.99) and parka jackets in khaki and red (£11.99).
Make a statement
Other highlights of the collection this autumn include romantic statement blouses featuring chic Victorian-style lace in black and burgundy (£4.99) and black biker boots (£14.99).
While November will see the release of a kimono-style, Aztec print cardigan (£7.99) and sleek, faux suede waterfall jackets in black and khaki (£9.99).
Lounging around in style
There’s no reason why you can’t have style on the sofa or chilling out on your down days.
Coming up further into the winter are cosy jumper dresses in burgundy and cream (£7.99) which are ideal vamped up with leather look jeggings (£4.99) and ankle boots (£12.99).
Take a trip to the 70s
Brown ankle heels £14.99 on sale now
Lidl’s AW15 range also includes a selection of seventies inspired pieces.
Plush ponchos are the perfect accessory for a veritably chic take on the iconic decade this season (£22.99) and available in a variety of colours, they will be on sale in Lidl stores nationwide from December.
Or for a modern take on the decade, go for a fluffy jumper dress (£9.99) available in black, cream and khaki, with boots.
Here to stay
Lorraine Brophy, Head of Purchasing, Lidl Northern Ireland, said: “We had a really positive reaction to the launch of our first fashion collection earlier this year, so it’s an exciting step for us to launch our debut AW range.
“We’ve seen increasing demand for fashion that is both affordable and on-trend and that is exactly what we’re bringing to customers with this collection.
“Shoppers can look forward to plenty of rich colours and textures that will really impress. We’re expecting items to fly off the shelves when they go on sale, so we’d advise customers to get down to stores early to snap up a bargain.”
Seal of approval
The new Lidl collection was given the official seal of approval from Northern Ireland’s leading fashion blogger Louise Vance.
Louise, who writes and edits fashion blog The Real El Woods, said she was “seriously impressed” with the range of clothing and styles.
She added: “I was at the Lidl spring/summer launch and I actually picked up a few pieces myself from the collection because I was seriously impressed by it.
“This year I was interested to see how they would take those trends and move them into autumn/winter and once again I’m impressed – there’s good quality at a fantastic price point and a great range of varieties and styles.
“Probably my favourite are the burgundy faux leather leggings, again it was something they did back in spring and summer and they’ve built on that collection and now brought it out in different styles and colours and I think they are absolute wardrobe staples.”
Lidl’s autumn/winter 2015 collection will also include a range of menswear and kidswear.