Sussex

<p>Inspired by their time in East Africa and designed by them back in Zara d’Abo and Nathalie Sergent’s eye popping Indonesian-style Dutch wax batik printed clothing and accessories are available online from Settlers Stores and are the perfect festival gear.</p>
<p><a href="https://somerset.muddystilettos.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Muddy Somerset</a> editor Sue discovered the brand local to her. Here&#8217;s her browse of the collection.</p>
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<h3>Dress to chill</h3>
<p>The classic <a href="https://settlersstores.co.uk/collections/womens/products/shirt-dress" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Elsa shirt dress, </a>named after the lion in <em>Born Free, </em>comes in a range of gloriously colourful Dutch wax patterns. An imitation of Indonesian hand batik printing originally copied by Dutch textile manufacturers in the 19th century, the 100% cotton fabrics are made in the Netherlands and are an homage to Nigerian-British contemporary artist, Yinka Shonibare. This turquoise will look stunning against a tanned skin.</p>
<div id="attachment_34294" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-34294 size-full" src="https://somerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/07/GetFileAttachment.jpg" alt="" width="853" height="1280" /></p>
<p class="wp-caption-text">Elsa shirt dress, from £185</p>
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<p>The<a href="https://settlersstores.co.uk/collections/womens/products/johnson-wrap-dress?variant=19527134019651" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Johnson wrap dress</a>, takes its name from photographer, author, documentary maker and explorer Osa Johnson who studied the wildlife and peoples of East and Central Africa in the first half of the 20th century. This version is a soft denim lined with Dutch wax batik but there are four other colourways, some of which are reversible.</p>
<div id="attachment_34296" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-34296 size-full" src="https://somerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/07/GetFileAttachment-1.jpg" alt="" width="853" height="1280" /></p>
<p class="wp-caption-text">Johnson wrap dress, from £150</p>
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<p>This kaftan is cut to flatter not flutter. The fabrics are constantly changing so each piece in the Settlers collection is a limited edition.</p>
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<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-34297 size-full" src="https://somerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/07/settlers-shortkaftan-1.jpeg" alt="" width="853" height="1280" /></p>
<p class="wp-caption-text">Knee length kaftan, from £155</p>
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<p>Skirts, too. Each design tells a story, the knee-length box pleated <a href="https://settlersstores.co.uk/collections/womens/products/kingsley-long-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kingsley skirt</a> was inspired by Mary Kingsley, who left a spinster’s life in England to become an explorer and champion of Western traders and African people. Crashing into a concealed leopard pit lined with 12-inch ivory spikes while collecting species of fish and beetles, she exclaimed ‘it is at these times you realise the blessing of a good thick skirt’.</p>
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<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-34323" src="https://somerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/07/settlers-skirt-collage.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="749" /></p>
<p class="wp-caption-text">Kingsley skirts, £180</p>
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<h3>If the shoe fits</h3>
<p>Made exclusively in Kenya for Settlers Stores, the <a href="https://settlersstores.co.uk/collections/accessories/products/leather-and-fish-skin-sandals?variant=19545523552323" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">leather and Nile Perch fish skin (yes, really) sandals</a>, are super comfy and available in three zingy colourways:  blue/orange, green/turquoise and pink/green.</p>
<div id="attachment_34281" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-34281 size-full" src="https://somerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/07/settlers-flip-flops.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" /></p>
<p class="wp-caption-text">Leather and fish skin sandals, Sizes 37–42, £45</p>
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<h3>Shady lady</h3>
<p>Keep the sun off your nose with a <a href="https://settlersstores.co.uk/collections/accessories/products/dutch-wax-trilby" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">trilby.</a></p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-34285" src="https://somerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/07/settlers-trilby.jpg" alt="" width="1080" height="720" /></p>
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<h3>Sitting comfortably?</h3>
<p>You will be if you bring along a few of these <a href="https://settlersstores.co.uk/collections/accessories/products/dutch-wax-cushion" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">cushions</a>. Seven different colourways, including our fave tangerine dream. Psychedelic, man.</p>
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<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-34277 size-full" src="https://somerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/07/settlers-cushions.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" /></p>
<p class="wp-caption-text">Dutch wax cushion, 50cm x 50cm, £50</p>
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<h3>Come rain or come shine</h3>
<p>OK, so it didn’t rain at Glasto this time but… Their <a href="https://settlersstores.co.uk/products/dutch-wax-umbrella" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">jolly brollies </a>are fully waterproofed, with proper wooden handles, spoke ends and come in six sizzling designs.</p>
<div id="attachment_34279" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-34279 size-full" src="https://somerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/07/settlers-umbrella-cut-outs.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" /></p>
<p class="wp-caption-text">Raindrop, £65</p>
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<p>Also in store, concertina lanterns, colourful plastic mats, woven baskets and a range of contemporary Scottish tweeds, much of which is lined with the batiks. It’s a seemingly unlikely combo that works but that’s another story…</p>
<p>Buy online, or if you&#8217;re in Somerset visit the Settlers Store in Frome to see the full range of women and men’s clothing and accessories.</p>
<p><em><a href="https://settlersstores.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">settlersstores.co.uk</a></em></p>


Fabulous festival fashion

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