Plain Janes at Burberry

One thing I've noticed around town is that everyone is going back to their signature, back to what they do best, back to the classics. The thrust seems to be to stick to what you know. Few know their brand's heritage and message better than Christopher Bailey. For his show today he went straight back to the classic icons: trench coats, tartans, fair isles sweaters, nubby tweeds and all the distinctly British fabrics we associate with this brand. But everything was toned down--from the color palette to the platform boots and even the plain hair and makeup on the models. In the past few seasons' Bailey has let his look get a bit eccentric in an English bohemian kind of way. For fall he stuck to accessible product (apart from a handful of too-thick laminated wool knits). There were some great oversized trenches, a longer version with a pleated hem, and even a shearling version. All of the coats were shown over gauzy dresses, a look that has become a Bailey signature. Although there were fewer handbags and accessories this season, Bailey used a lot of fur, especially in cowl neck scarves lined in Burberry checks. I'm always amazed at how he keeps his finger on the fashion pulse but also manages to pull together a very commercial collection.