Fashion often seems to be nothing more than a spaghetti junction of elephant traps – do this, do that, don’t go near this, try this (but, for heaven’s sake, not with that). Granny chic, racerback swimwear, 1990s minimalism, lamé trousers – the whole hoo-ha can all get a little silly.
Festive season tends to bring out the worst in us. A last-ditch attempt to revisit our party days and make a splash. I’m all for being brave, but there’s a marked difference in bravery and downright wacky.
Let’s start with a few don’ts. First off, the greatest risk is in the effort to make a statement. You will more than likely only end up trussed-up in something very non-you. You must try your best to achieve a lack of superiority at a party – or, more to the point, look like yourself. That should be a given. If you don’t normally go for fake lashes, all-out rock-star chic and off-the-radar heels, now isn’t the time to start (you will only end up on Facebook – a crying shame).
That means saying farewell to anything gaudy, branded or visibly jarring – you should know all this anyway, but the festive season seems to blinker us somewhat. I’m not saying play it safe either with the old LBD; I’m simply saying go for something more relaxed. Think of it as an extension of your daily wardrobe rather than a new addition.
The problem with subtlety is within the concept itself, because attaining an air of nonchalance is often more difficult than one would think. After all, nobody wants to fade into the wallpaper.
Try muted tones – soft pinks, rich maroons or vintage creams. Muted doesn’t have to mean bland, after all, just a softness in tone. Colour-wise, taupe, grey or off-white will work well.
Stay away from the mega trends, or the glittery “frock of the season” – all of these are clever marketing ploys, cashing in on our insecurities. “Buy me, buy me – I’ll fix you,” they heckle from the rafters. They won’t. Anyway, who wants to look like everyone else?
Look to brands such as Chloé, Alexander Wang or Preen if you’re not too concerned about budget, as they offer interesting cuts that will give a whiff of a statement without the “hey there, look at me” factor. For the high street, stick to Zara or Reiss and try to look for the more unusual pieces hidden within.
It doesn’t have to be a dress either – a muted silk shirt tucked into a pair of cigarette trousers and a black-tie jacket can be a great addition to a sea of frocks.
As always, accessories should be your go-to. Look to the Parisians for inspiration – dresses that are immaculate and beautifully understated. Look closer though, as on further inspection, you will often find an unusual vintage clutch (without a scratch in sight, mind you) or a particularly interesting piece of jewellery that will create a talking point.
I can’t count how many times I’m asked the “age appropriate” thing at this time of year. Can I wear above the knee? Are knee- length boots past my sell-by date? Is showing cleavage more than a little passé? We want to eradicate the dreaded mutton-mirror moments for good – but we’re not quite sure of the rules.
My rule of thumb: stay away from the gimmicks; unless the rest of your attire is hands-in-the-air exciting, leave it for the hipsters. In other words, trust your instinct. It’s nearly always right.
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