Posted in: Pashmina news
With the Chelsea Flower Show but a fragrant memory, the summer season is truly upon us. For weeks, British households have been amassing invitations for weddings, garden parties, operas and the like. Gratifying as it is to have a welter of cards adorning the mantelpiece, a certain pall is likely to descend on the female of the party as the day approaches.
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“Lofty event among fashionable people?” runs one’s internal killjoy: “Why not throw into the mix uncertain weather, the matters of millinery and hosiery, and dreadfully damp grass?”
And dress codes are not what they used to be. In place of yesteryear’s “black tie” or “cocktail garb” has come a plethora of dicey-sounding vagaries such as “glamorous”, or the frankly terrifying “dazzling”. Small wonder the season brings a sartorial paranoia that makes women want to batten down the hatches and stay put.
“It’s definitely the competition,” says Anna Bromilow, fashion director of Tatler, “the idea of someone else getting it spot on and you looking like you’ve tried too hard. More than that, it’s the horror of being seen in the clear, exposing light of day. Every flaw is magnified and, in the heat, you have more on show. The mistakes are potentially endless.”
Weddings are the worst of the lot in terms of unleashing looks that no one would begin to countenance back in the real world. Adopt the mantra “I am not the bride” – no white, copious frippery or excess sex appeal.
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The time when florid Laura Ashley and a plonking great hat were de rigueur has long since passed. Canny buyers will make a beeline for a column dress or a simple satin prom style. A pilgrimage to Oasis or Hobbs, which boast some sumptuous summer frocks, is a good bet. Think mirth (bold, jubilant colour), wit (a fabulous fascinator) and class (a dashing summer coat).
Then there are those events that might be categorised as “uptight outdoor”: the races, smart Glyndebourne-type picnics, and modish evening bashes such as the Serpentine summer party.
For guidance on the laws of the Henley Stewards’ Enclosure (no racy hemlines) or Ascot’s Royal Enclosure (naked shoulders prohibited), consult their websites. Hat-wise, a rule of thumb is to think perched joie de vivre, without succumbing to anything likely to appear on regional television – seek out Philip Treacy, Stephen Jones or a consummate department store selection.
“I always think you can be a little experimental at these formal events,” says Bromilow. “Go for a strong colour, especially jewelled satin, or an interesting feature such as a corsage, or a ruched or pleated detail. It’s a great conversation starter if you’ve opted for something a little different.” Lanvin’s purple silk catwalk exit dress, with its lavish ruffle collar, epitomises this winning theatricality, but at £1,585 it’s a serious investment.
The impeccably dressed Marigay McKee, Harrods’ first lady of fashion, agrees that for important occasions, Lanvin bestows the “wow factor”. Exquisitely cut little black shift dresses from Chanel or Prada also rate highly for her, as does the Hollywood label Marchesa. “There’s nothing like a glorious Marchesa gown to look like the belle of the ball,” she says.
However, if the Hollywood price tag is a little too dazzling, Sara Berman’s vivid purple and fuchsia trapeze dress is a worthy stand-in, at a more affordable £135 (By Berman at asos.com). Monsoon’s ruffled turquoise Cameo (£100) is another good option if drama is the order of the day.
For the more relaxed outdoor occasion – tennis, say, or a garden party – Bromilow has some equally stylish suggestions: “I tend to go for kaftans, printed blouson pieces that look effortless but exotic. Team them with gorgeous one-off pieces of jewellery – and flat gold sandals are also an essential.” A brightly coloured silk maxi or a tea dress with a peppy but not too wild floral print hits just the right note, while Jaeger’s polka-dot cocktail dress (£299) or fuchsia silk shift (£199) would be perfect for polo.
Catherine West, private shopping director at Matches, strays nowhere without a cashmere cardigan – ideal for those who find the pashmina too Sloaney. Prada is the top-dollar choice, at £390, but Boden and Uniqlo do great affordable versions.
There is also a smattering of strategic pieces that will work across one’s summer schedule. For McKee, this means skinny black trousers and the ever-versatile crisp white shirt. For Bromilow, the essentials are a terrific clutch, lightweight coat and Fifties frock. Jewelled flats spell instant chic, while a pair of Louboutins may meet a need that transcends terrain.
Festivals, like weddings, occupy a category all of their own. Don’t take anything you remotely care about. Matthew Williamson’s boho luxe may seem ideal for Glasto, but it’s way too plush to endanger. Kate Moss for Topshop is a better bet. Style, as all else, tends to get stuck in the mud, so outdoorsy stalwarts such as Barbour and Hunter wellies are still being sported by the bright, if grubby, young things.
Last year’s skinny jeans will be better accommodated within a wellington than 2008’s bootcut or flare, while Ray-Ban Wayfarers remain the shades behind which to retreat.
And remember, whatever the dress code, accessorise with an umbrella. Frank Usher’s (from £94, frankusher.co.uk) are sufficiently elegant to double as a parasol – if the sun comes out.
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Thanks.. Interesting – and always important to be aware!
Comment by Rosenrod — March 16, 2009 @ 10:39 am