All because a lady loves...Marchesa

This bijou evening dress with a delicate frou frou skirt is courtesy of NOTTE by Marchesa...who else?

I am a modern day fairy!


NOTTE BY MARCHESA £740


Not wanting to dethrone my fairy frock, but these buckle strewn beauties are the perfect partner for alfresco pins.


MIU MIU £445

The Best of British...

YELLOW DRESS FROM THE JAEGER BOUTIQUE RANGE

Now, let’s see - there’s Stonehenge; the mysterious stone circle entrenched in rural Wiltshire, the famous Blackpool Pier, discussing the weather and - my favourite - the infamous and devilish Devon Cream Tea - Just a few of the British poignancies that define our culture.
Of course, because there has to be a “fashion” peg, let’s not forget the great British fashion brand that is Jaeger. This iconic stalwart has stood the test of time and solidified itself as a British heritage favourite.
Oh, Jaeger Jaeger Jaeger! You who come bearing gifts of classic staples – we salute you! If there is a brand that you can rely on to deliver effortless sartorial fetishisms then all hail those expedient chaps at Jaeger and, since 2005, Jaeger London. When ostentatious display and fast fashion has all been a bit too risky of late there was Jaeger - beckoning us to embrace that “unfussy-femininity” visage.
The recession ushered in a desire to invest in key pieces that build the foundations of our wardrobes. Jaeger London offers us high quality, indispensable separates that have longevity. Statement coats, tailored skirts and dresses, trousers and shirts – all brought to us in luxurious fabrics and cut with precision.
I have an affinity for classic versus contemporary, a winning formula that Jaeger perfects for the consortium of like-minded style fiends.
And still, the brand strives to elate…In a quest to expand its target market, July 2010 will see the launch of Jaeger Boutique aimed at a younger audience.
Coats, dresses, trousers and tops have been infused with a sixties influence like the yellow strapless number above. The debut collection exudes that same classic vibe but with a youthful and contemporary twist. And...price tags that start from around £35 - ground breaking news for impoverished me.

Footwear Therapy

LANVIN CHAIN EMBELLISHED PLATFORM COURTS £600

CHLOE METALLIC NUDE BALLERINAS £255

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN PYTHON PEEP-TOE PUMPS £765

This burgeoning warm weather has caused a summer shoe frisson.
I've met that moment when I start to feel dubious about wearing boots. Pulling on my trusty over-knee swash bucklers suddenly feels strange. In fact, the fizzling out of any footwear pertaining to wading through puddles and that unaccustomed snow is imminent.
Here I am, one year on. Same place same time - standing before my wardrobe. Staring. Idle. I'm stone-broke of summer shoes. And yet again, I'm in a conundrum as to where last year's ones have gone? I reminisce about different pairs of gladiators that sauntered through the season with me, yet I can never recall parting from them.

Do I really dispose of them so nonchalantly? Am I in denial that I actually have a serious case of purchase-itus? Are my annual summer shoe frissons that profound that I just have to buy new? oh dear...

Still, all the more reason to scan the stores in search of this years summer shoe rendezvous. Above are my most coveted confections that epitomize the key Nude trend for this Spring/Summer 2010. One quick click to Matchesfashion.com and there they were, waiting. All prohibitively expensive but it's o.k to look. For me, Lanvin's ankle chain Mary Jane's were the highlight of it's presentation. A manifest beauty, exuding refinement but punctuated with opulence. Mwah

The Demise Of Style

Sartorially speaking, I can’t quite remember a time when I embraced peacockery!
Colliding colours don’t quite fit within my realm of - shall we say - a ‘controlled’ aesthetic.
I have toiled with the thought of marrying a few frisky hues but sobriety remains at the forefront of my wardrobe pursuits. You can imagine the appeal of Ugly Betty…
I’m sure that you can appreciate my angst if equally disenchanted by the lack of style seen at this years Grand National Festival in Aintree. I’m slightly angered, borderline browned-off and, in fact let’s not be patient, I’m bloody full-blown frantic.

When will these women learn the art of dressing appropriately? They amalgamate several trends without any consideration for their body shape and then plague us with fashion tragedies. It’s time to wean them off their ill-fitting ensembles and eradicate this car-crash couture insouciance.
This has been the catalyst for conceiving my first blog. I’ve entered the blogsphere, the internet revelation that has sparked mass appeal amongst fellow gasbags. I felt compelled to share my views and unapologetic commentary on just how delusional some British women are to true style. I say some British women because I wouldn’t dare divorce a Milanese or Parisian woman from her inherent style and sophistication.

In stark contrast, Aintree played host to a circus of tack and tawdry in its entirety. Brash colours clashed with hap-hazard prints - making for a colour collision crisis. Let’s not forget (as if we could) contributing orange limbs, riotous hair and cleavages in abundance.
We’ve been subjected to unsightly ostentation at its most extreme. These, not-so, top fillies have depleted style and induced a faux pas epidemic. Gok? Come out to play! Although, even for this vision magician it would be deemed mission impossible.

Coleen McGloughlin had a gargantuan task on her hands when selecting a winner for the Aintree Best Dressed 2010 award. The meek styleite told the mail that, “there were lots of interesting shapes”. Your not kidding Col! There were shapes unheard of all distorted and billowing. Billowing fabric in areas that should have been cinched and cinched where it should have been billowing. Where are all the Gracious Golightlys and gamine young ladies in their fineries? Ensconced amongst this overbearing crowd, it’s no wonder they’re lost.
Still, Coleen’s selection of attire would have been my favourite to win. She was a prim and refined vision amongst all the ghastly opposition. And her secret was clear in a sea of superficiality. Don’t try too hard. Less is more and all that.

Avoid head to toe colossal blooms and psychedelic patterns. Acquaint yourself with a more subdued option. Take your cue from Louis Vuitton. Paisley prints juxtaposed brocades but were complimented by muted checks and zig-zags. Erdem, Anna Sui and Etro channelled sprightly prints and effervescent shades. However, colour collaborations were in the guise of stormy versus smooth, crazy versus calm. Mis-matching prints are definitely on the fashion agenda, but please? Orchestrate this key trend with precision.
Personally, I am doubting ever succumbing to this clashing malarkey. This summer may provoke a colour riot but tamed it shall be with lashings of honed elements. Black. Navy. Lots of navy. Ooh and gold…sparingly.