Designer 'inspired' pieces flood Primark

I remember, once upon a time, Primark was not a fashionable place to shop (way back when it was where QD now sits in Romford for all the Essexonians!) and was known for it's very cheap and very basic clothes. But now, alongside still having it's cheap basics, it takes a hell of a lot of 'inspiration' from high end designers and knocks out pieces at... well... a LOT cheaper. After a very busy week, which included a trip to Paris, a viewing of The Hunger Games and a day out at Thorpe Park, I decided to hit Primark for a spot of retail therapy.

I picked up a few bits for no good reason or occasion, purely because I liked them, and because they looked a lot like some designer pieces I'd seen. The first - a fish print dress for £17. I wonder who they could be ripping off here? A certain Mary Katrantzou perhaps? At least it's not a direct copy, but more a high street 'interpretation'. I think I'll be wearing this baby out on the town for my birthday. Not really sure if Essex are ready for a fish tank dress yet, but hey!

Think Hermes liked the fish...

The second is a pair of ornate brocade print shorts for £10. Just £10! Although £10 in Primark is probably equivalent to £30 in Topshop, so they're not the cheapest, but delicious none the less. Black with a sketchy gold and pink print which calls to mind a certain Italian fashion house who are doing rather well at the moment... can you guess? Here's a clue, it rhymes with Persace.

So in one trip I've simultaneously snapped up two designer-esque pieces for bare cheap tingss. Do I feel guilty? Yes and no. The beauty of it is is that unless I'm at London Fashion Week, most 'normal' people won't even realise they're inspired by anyone/thing. They'll be like 'Mary Katrantz-who?' (geddit?)

Anyway, to finish off my trip of fakery I went for something that's not an exact copy of a designer piece, although it could be argued that Karl Lagerfeld made the collar big again, with a decorative pearl necklace/collar. This beauty was just £12.50 from Dorothy Perkins and will look top notch over a plain black t-shirt tucked into my Versace *cough Primark cough* shorts. Feeling cheap, looking expensive. WIN.