Latest Milan highlights: Back to basics at Burberry Prorsum

Taking inspiration from London's intellectual arty set of the 30s, Burberry's classic best sellers and heritage outerwear pieces, were all reworked for 2009 into a simply beautiful, easy-to-wear collection that showed it's business as usual for Bailey.

The trench coat appeared in mid calf length and with a fuller, box pleated skirt, or in softest grey suede with a gently rounded shoulder. Also covetable were the simple, throw on, white cotton dresses and long line slouchy knits. Black silk, mid calf length dresses with a twisted front bodice and chunky foam heeled biker boots had sell-out written all over them, as did the collarless fur capes and chic boyfriend blazers.

Texture was more subtle this season. Rightly so - come autumn consumers will surely be looking to flaunt a less ostentatious look. Still, doe skin, boucle tweed, satin, fur, velvet brocade, shearling, tartan and a revived house flock tapestry were all in the mix.

Like many collections we have seen in the past three weeks, this was all pretty safe and saleable. But who can blame Bailey for this? Times are tough and the recession's impact is not yet at its peak. (This week's announcements that the producers of Just Cavalli and the owner of Gianfranco Ferre and Exte have gone into administration prove just that). Designers like their customers, are more focused than ever on balancing the books - looking to invest in value-for-money pieces that make a little luxury go a long way. Whatever the reason - when recession dressing looks as beautiful and easy as this - it's great news for us all.

By Melissa Dick

Posted 27th February 2009