There is something terribly annoying about being told what to wear. It’s a bit like being told to tidy our desk or that our shoes could do with a good polish. Nor do we appreciate being told what to worry about either – we do that beautifully ourselves.
What shows real nous is asking ourselves how we wish to be perceived and what given role we have chosen to take on. Wear a crisp white shirt and a tailored knee-length skirt – these are codes that people will understand. Dine out on 1980s couture and be prepared for a raised eyebrow here or there.
Regardless, we’re a game old bunch, if not resilient. And as much as we’d like to claim gross injustice, we all know the common denominators of style perfectly well by now.
Try to remember that a trend is exactly that: a trend, and nothing more. A fleeting ship in the night; a reminder of the speed that fashion, and time, moves at, allowing mistakes to be quickly forgotten. So let’s not get too wound up about things. While yesterday was all about embellishment, today will thankfully be different – giving us room to breathe and the creativity to experiment.
We tend to be fixated with the chasm between trends and actually wearing them, with the age-old question of whether we can pull these unfamiliar beasts off with any kind of panache remaining stubbornly on our lips.
It’s an age-appropriate issue. Take the polka dot – a playful, if not noisy print that we last saw in the mid-1980s (and, admittedly, more recently on our children’s clothes). The supersized print has raised its joyful head once more.
There’s something mildly odd about a 42-year-old skipping around in girlish dots. You know the type. One part eccentric yummy mummy, one part skittish teen. It’s all a bit awkward, a bit Minnie Mouse, for those who like to be taken somewhat seriously.
That’s not to say it is impossible – like I said, nothing should ever be written off as foolish without foreknowledge.
Stay well away from the clichéd polka-dot mini dress that we last saw more than two decades ago (gulp) in Pretty Woman. Look instead to a full-length or midi-length skirt/dress or a cropped blouse for modern appeal. A loose-fit pair of printed trousers paired with a white blouse will also provide a good alternative for grown-up appeal.
In terms of fabric, there are two ways to go, and no in-between. A light, fine, bouncy chiffon will work beautifully for the romantic feel the season demands, or a stiff, good-quality cotton or linen A-line skirt that will hold its shape.
The first problem arises in finding a flattering version. If the dots begin small and increase in size as they make their way down, your waist and hips will appear slimmer. If you want to draw attention to your upper body, use a larger dot.
You’re aiming for subtlety across the board. So avoid the classic navy-and-white combination that screams: “Look at me, I’m fun.” Instead, arrive armed with a palette of soft greys, peaches and off-whites.
Remember, those above the age of 25 don’t want to look adorable – and if you do, perhaps something needs addressing.
In summary, spots aren’t easy. Even those who seem to arrive in life with a certain joie de vivre will struggle. Which, all things considered, is rather a satisfying thought.
