Summer in the city! Summer in the country! Summer by the seaside!

Coral is the colour of summer and sunshine-choose plain , or spots, or stretch lace in separates ,ideal for that holiday, or even a summer wedding.

Visit to Wimbledon? A coral top with ivory linen trousers.

Visit to Ascot? Try a spot blouse and skirt in taupe with coral spots, with our sand hatinator.

Visit to Henley? Coral skirt with ivory camisole and matching waterfall shrug.

Visit to the country? Coral stripy cardi with little bow pocket will cope with cool breezes.

Visit to the office when the temperatures start to swelter? 2 piece in plain coral silky crepon, -hot but cool and elegant.

Chesca is an elegant choice for curvy, and not so curvy girls in sizes 12-24

chesca ticks all the boxes for every ocassion-go coral, go chesca!

Look forward to seeing you soon in your local chesca

Jacqui

Today is the 60th anniversary of the Coronation! The most glamorous occasion of the last century.  Now I can't say the Queen wears chesca, but I can say that chesca is a brand that makes enviable outfits for the most special occasions.  Whether a wedding, a christening, race day and why not for a Coronation.  Above all the fabrics must be fluid and the fit must be flattering.  Attention to detail, to adding that extra metre of fabric, jackets to cover the arms, original beading and embellishments-- I try on every item, check every dart, approve the linings, check the necklines are not too low or too high, and read every email from you.  I never forget that you, the customer, has an enormous choice in the high street, John Lewis, House of Fraser , Fenwicks, Beales, Elliots and Browns---and of course in Dublin, there are dozens of shops and dozens of labels in Arnotts where we trade. Every week, I visit at least one outlet, and speak to ladies kind enough to visit our mat or shop.  And I learn a lot,--thank you for your help in shaping the range.

Fit is key, fabric is key, guaranteed to flatter!

Sign up to our email and receive a 25% discount on selected dresses- a special offer for this special occasion. Thank you for your confidence in chesca!

Jacqui

So excited! Victoria Pendleton, Olympic cyclist extraordinaire and recently on ‘Strictly’ just bought not one, but two chesca hats for tea in the Gardens of Buckingham Palace.  Our hatinators, for that is what they are, are a more substantial version of last year's fascinator--we are told the Queen does not favour the little bows on slide or Alice band for wearing at Ascot, but these items have more in common with hats, as our front page bears out.

Chesca was borne out of a desire for curvy girls to have beautiful clothes, with style, rather than gruesome cover-ups, but now we are proud that our slimmer sisters can buy hats, shoes, scarves--and indeed, our signature lace dresses in a size 10!  While remaining true to our origins, I still try on every item to ensure a flattering fit, but also true to my promise, read every email --and I have learnt that all women may need that special outfit, regardless of size --or in fact, age.  Our aim is to add a note of summer -and fun-all the year round.  Life needs a little frivolity, a little lift and whether you spend £30 on a scarf, or £300 on an outfit to meet the Queen, we aim to offer you great service and enviable outfits.  Why, only yesterday, I went out, and an ultra-slim friend of mine admired my cardi-unfortunately not yet photographed, but available in chesca shops, and ordered a pair of my summer wedge shoes (and would you believe, my feet are smaller than hers)

Back to the Queen, used to think our best customers were M.O.Bs and M.O.Gs (mothers of the wedding couple), but now I have learnt that a day at the Races is the favourite reason to visit chesca.  Whether in Ireland or Royal Ascot, in Newbury or Rippon, people are rushing out to buy a special outfit for a special occasion, or at least, a fine hatinator -we have already virtually sold out of two of your favourites (and can not replace until next year).  Not all are lucky enough to be invited to the special Garden Parties, but I am amazed at how many chesca fans go to the races.  Think they just like to dress up-there's a little of Eliza Doolittle in all of us

Will write soon!

Jacqui

Great news! Dawn French is appearing in Australia’s got Talent! -Wearing our favourite brand-

c h e s c a!

She has chosen our stunning violet crinkle pleat coat, a fuchsia linen print tunic and my absolute favourite, available only in stand alone stores, our stunning side zip jacket with frill, in black, which is a preview for next summer!

Why do so many celebs pick c h e s c a?

Answer- because its stunning.

Lisa Riley, Kate Bush, Barbara Windsor, Jo Brand, Linda Bellingham, Pauline Collins,and even, Mrs Tyndal wore chesca for the marriage of her son to Zara Phillips.  Even some of the Loose Women have sported our head turning separates

Be a celebrity when YOU wear chesca.  The choice is never-ending, with new styles every week. Whether an outfit for occasions, a day at the races, or a celebrity on t.v.-you can't beat it. 

Jacqui (middle name--Dawn)

Hi

I was out on Tuesday night, a quiet evening after the bank holiday , and saw an iconic lady sitting nearby in a bar.  Clearly, it was Yoko Ono, with signature trilby and black suit, confident and relaxed.  You wonder why I have introduced this to the blog? Well it’s A for Attitude.  I believe life and style are all about attitude, passion and energy for life make one attractive, and that we are not defined by size or age. so A is for attitude.

B is for beautiful.  You are beautiful.  Most curvy girls have smooth skins, good teeth, fewer wrinkles-and a great décolletage! What could be more feminine?  So wake up, put on that lippie, smile (the most attractive thing of all) and choose that flattering outfit to frame your face. One of the most attractive women I know is 86. With silver hair and a size 20---but she can still turn heads.  She always looks immaculate and has a passion for life!

C is for my passion. ch e s c a .  I read the other day that Andy Street, the M.D of the John Lewis Partnership, does not get in early, but defined life as "a blur between work and play".  Well ,thats me, too-I work a little, play a little, then work a little more.  You will say, chesca is my own business, so that’s inevitable but I have always lived my life like this.  Work may have been bringing up my 3 sons, or maybe that was play, my Open University Degree I would define a combo of work and leisure, my teacher's training course-40 essays and 10 hours weekly practical work-I loved.  And i have loved developing the brand of chesca, soon to be 10 years old.  I wear it every day, and enjoy the comments.  Sometimes, it’s a raincoat which is 8 years" old worn with this season's top-£45 and a pair of last year's stretch jeans.  ch e s c a is not only outfits for weddings and race meetings, and christenings and cruising! Its a tonic for everyday-a linen trouser, which has stood the test of time,a silk skirt left over from a wedding visit in Ibiza, they are timeless hardwearing pieces---and my challenge, to invite you to share my passion.

So ABC-ATTITUDE, BEAUTY, CHESCA-most of all, a zest for all life has to offer.  By the way, Yoko Ono looked amazing!

Jacqui

Hi

Have you ever been to the races.  What an occasion! Whether you visit Ascot, Cheltenham, Aintree or Chester, have some fun.  Dress up with one of our amazing outfits, guaranteed to make you feel you have won a fortune-and one of our amazing hatinators.

Buy our coffee dress, our poppy dress, our silver lace dress--and have a free bolero worth £59 -as a gift from us.  Try our delightful shoes, some at half price this week--so comfy, maybe you would like a matching handbag?

My sister-in-law  has chosen a violet pleat dress with matching coat for the races in Paris, easy to pack- arrives crisp and elegant--a surefire winner, and guaranteed to turn heads of those Parisian fashionistas.

My choice is more casual, a classic black dress with side ruching, with our ivory/black zip cardigan in cloque jersey-smart with our black and white grand hatinator-wear it later with jeans or leggings.

STOP PRESS :Stunning silk now back in stock -our exclusive print in blues and mauves , trailing flowers on a silver pearl background in the most feminine shape-with a matching jacket --------from Chelsea to Marylebone, you will be the belle of any ball.

Let flowers bloom this summer.........

Jacqui

Do you know that I buy lots of fabulous items for our standalone shops, which are chosen by me from other brands.

A sensational black and white crinkle blouse using three different stripes combined with ivory?

An ivory grey dress in crinkle cotton?

Jersey pants with roll top?

A 3 colour georgette blouse in neutrals?                   

All to supplement your chesca wardrobe-and give you, our customer, more choice....  we have 500 different items on our web, surely a departmental store for fashionistas up to size 24-on line and the privacy and comfort of your own home-or in our stores.

Yesterday in our store on the first floor of Grand Arcade in Cambridge (just by the fashion section of John Lewis!), Jules (accompanied by David) bought our black cable collared coat, a jersey roll top trouser from our French supplier in mocha, together with 2 beautiful serapes from our supplier in Ireland. Her comments, that she had been all over London, and out for the day and had not seen such an eclectic choice--and incidentally, she was a size 1, at the lower end of our size range, so she could buy in any shop from any brand.  What a complement!!!

More this afternoon....

April 21st marks the real birthday of our monarch, and this year is the 60th Anniversary of the Coronation.  Happy Birthday, too to all our other Aries babes-and to celebrate we have re-launched our regal mauve crinkle coat, which combines with matching knee length dress--or as on our cover page with georgette cami and palazzo trousers. A special colour, this outfit is not a blue or a purple but is the colour of irises, tall and regal and only available briefly each spring.  The entire outfit is perfect for the bafta awards, to be held this month-did you know the Queen has just received an Honorary BAFTA, and is probably the most filmed woman in the world.  If you are invited or have a special birthday, why not treat yourself to this special outfit-equally suitable for a mother of the bride, so synonymous with c h e s c a .  Ring the changes and wear the cami and pants with our stone jersey jacket with exclusive mauve and coral print.  Complete this summer's capsule wardrobe with the stone jersey maxi dress, with matching print and embroidered diamond, combining mauve, coral and stone in our  c h e s c a  shop in  Christophers Place, St. Albans where all 6 pieces are displayed together or in our store in Tunsgate Square , Guildford, right in the front of the shop.

Zip up in style with our ivory linen tailored jacket-elegant when worn as a monochrome outfit, or perhaps you will get upgraded to first class effortlessly when you combine with matching ivory linen trousers.  This jacket is not only chic, but also has stitched down seams which slim and flatter-curvy girls take note, and available in sizes 12-24!   Linen is so cool, perfect for interviews, weddings and this year's holidays. This week we launch a brand new linen dress which combines natural tones-and there's a brand new jersey short sleeve cardi to match.  Arriving in our own stores this week and online.  A preview of summer in the city to coincide with the warmer weather, and my perfect choice for a summer dress, with shiny wedge sandles--and try a straw bag-in sizzling orange!

Jacqui

c h e s c a  is a brand where the girls are devoted to ensuring that you look your very best.  We update our fit regularly, not content with previous size charts, we fit every item, constantly tweaking the darts, the width of the bicep, the length of the shoulders and the cross back.  Other brands use a set of measurements for their fittings: we make some items smaller depending on the stretch of the material, or bigger if it constricts movement.  We even fit our repeat items, sometimes shortening them depending on our customers comments made in store to our passionate staff, or to our customer service personnel.  Did you know that I read every comment on the returns slips, I take on board every comment from our customers, whether it’s on the phone, email or in store, I keep their comments in mind throughout the design process.

You are the people who shape chesca, our loyal customers.  Whether you are the mother of the bride or groom, going to the races, going on holiday, attending a business meeting, having lunch with the girls, it is my mission to ensure  you will look sensational in  c h e s c a. 

Have you seen our new ivory and black striped cloque cardigan.  It is a very special buy, warm without weight, an ideal jacket for the office with a little black dress or skirt, or undo the little waist zips and roll back the collar and wear it with jearns or summer separates.  And, washable and packable.  It is my choice for the month, as it progresses from the flurries of snow to the sunshine lurking round the corner.

Hope to see you soon-I met Carole yesterday in St Albans who bought her second hooded raincoat, and a visitor from Memphis, U.S.A who has a wedding there in June and bought our stunning champagne dress in Oxford Street, together with a special order from c h e s c a direct for the matching jacket.  We only have 2 left, and luckily, we have her size in our London office.

What else is new this week?  Zip up in style with our natural linen jacket, designed to be that perfect coverup for a pretty dress, part of a smart trouser suit, with its matching trousers, or as a mainstay of your summer wardrobe.  And the linen trousers, fab with our blue and ivory twinset in organic cotton, and ready for the holiday tops in coral and blue we will introduce next month.  More soon

Jacqui

Hi

I went to Westfield in Stratford yesterday, my first visit since the Paralympics (which was absolutely great, and probably the last decent day's weather I remember in London), where I see that chesca has moved in John Lewis to make way for the holiday shop.  Wishing I could wear some of those Summer items now-but it’s the looking forward to events that I love.....

One of my favourite pastimes in store is re-arranging the stock to make it look as beautiful and tempting as possible.  I find it artistic, and is one of the most satisfying jobs, because we create the range from design drawings and fabric shows -and it is absolutely amazing to see it come to life on the shop floor, particularly with a bit of input from our discerning customers.  The other pleasure I have is to meet new people and to help them find an outfit for a special occasion.  Yesterday, I met June, whose son is getting married in September, who is going to come back for a bright pink outfit we will have in July, and Edna, who bought our lovely black and grey spot dress and jacket for a lunch, together with her first pair of leggings, our stunning "lose 10lbs" style, -and a pair of zip trousers and an asymmetrical zip jersey identical to the one I was wearing from chesca at johnlewis.com.  A bride--who did not want to wear white, -she tried on a white lace dress and a silver grey lace, but decided on RED...

Why am I writing about Westfield, John Lewis Partnership and my visit?  Well, I hope you will go to Westfield and see the stunning violet and stone display I have at the back of the "mat" next to the till, with a little help from willing assistant, Nathalie -but also, I believe that talking to the staff and the customers, learning about their needs, their doubts, their lives gives me the inspiration to make chesca unique. Every weekend, I visit a chesca shop or mat within a store, to chat and learn -I may have met you in Oxford Street, St Albans, Brent Cross or Westfield in the last fortnight  May I thank you now for your advice-not just when you buy chesca, but when you don't! Now we have added size 12, I believe the range is suitable for most ladies, I stress the word, deriving from the T.V. programme with Rachel Johnson, because, above all we try to make the range  feminine and desirable--and is a reflection of the interaction between us, the customer and the design team. If you would like to meet with me, let me know and I will try--I am going to John Lewis Sheffield on 24^th  April.

First linens (jackets and trousers) now delivered, although, not sure if we should put them on display? Maybe the answer should be yes, as a promise of summer and because the clocks are going forward this weekend...........

Happy holiday break....................roll on sunshine!

Jacqui