The economic downturn. Coming soon to a wardrobe near you.

Sorry, but i had to post this. I get a lot of catalog e-mails from sites I might have visited ages ago, particularly American ones from those halcyon days when the pound was very strong against the dollar. Sometimes I unsubscribe, most of the time I don't bother. And this site has some nice jewellery.

But what on earth is this outfit about?

Where are the fashion sociologists when we need them? The ones who analyse modern cutting edge fashion and tell us it's indicative of a crashing economy and a return to depression era mentality.

That's pretty much the only way I can deconstruct this particular look, which I'd describe as thrift-shop-hand-me-down-urchin-circus performer-Oliver Twist-wrong-size-layered-for-warmth chic.  Or not.

All five pieces in this sterling example of neo-economic-downturn fashion will set you back a mere $1,400. That's £862 in real money. Plus postage and VAT.

Be the first on your block.