Sporting an ensemble at Royal Ascot, Wimbledon, Henley and the Chap Olympiad
Looking regal at Royal Ascot
Strawberries and Cream at Wimbledon
Hats on for Henley
Fancy dress for the Chap Olympiad
I am an excited bunny this Spring! So far, there has been a legitimate excuse to indulge in chocolate during Easter, a sunny bank holiday and longer, brighter days. With Summer just around the corner, I can already feel the heat in my bones. The world is full of vibrant colours, with beautiful flowers blossoming, exotic food on menus and funky cocktails. But most of all, I can see colour in the shops. And here is a selection of my favourite buys for the season and some tips for a stylish Spring…
With so many trends to choose from it is important to know what you can and can’t wear, but most of all, you should enjoy this season and let your imagination run wild.
You can’t get much more feminine than lace for Spring; it is a subtle way to show that you are a lady who lunches and love doing so! It is a fresh take on the less delicate crochet look, but equally sophisticated. Either styles are beautiful. Whether you wear a subtle top, or add lace as an accessory in the form of a pump, this look will take you right through to the end of summer and is a great way to layer over dresses and tops to add texture and luxury.
Erdem, Valentino, Miu Miu, Elie Saab, Giambattista
Florals and patterns are another key look for Spring, for without them, what homage would we pay to Mother Nature’s colorful efforts? Flowers, bold prints, citrus fruits and geometric exotic shapes can be played with, without looking too whacky or eccentric. A look that seems to be big is floral or patterned tapered trousers, worn with a plain cotton t-shirt or tank top. Add a blazer and wedge or flat pump and you have a look that is not only stylish but shows you are not afraid to take risks. Or if that is a bit too out there for your liking, try adding a feathered earring or peacock necklace to a LBD or white simple summer maxi dress. After all, we too are exotic birds!
Peter Som
Candy colours are a forgiving and safe shade this Spring. Pastel pallets and soft hues are among the most popular of trends right now. Mint greens, pasty pink and lazy lilacs all allow us to show off our girly flirtatiousness and suit most colorings. In fact, here at The Sloaney, we salute the paler skin ladies working this look as when it is finished off with a darker shade, the style is complementary rather than draining, and offers contrast. Work the look in block colours, so as not to mix trends, and keep it chic and simple.
Louis Vuitton
For those balmy evenings, channel your inner Charleston and flap the night away! All the hype over the beautifully shot silent film L’Artist, has got us going le freak for this chic! Fringing, beading, tassels and sequins all play a huge part this Spring. Think 21st century Great Gatsby girl but with a twist. Drop waists and shimmering sheen will keep it classic, and you can add a neon bright accessory for a more modern take.
Etro
There is no official dress code for Cheltenham race goers and considering the weather can be unpredictable at this time of year, the renowned racecourse welcomes a more casual approach. They recommend that you ‘dress to impress’, which is a cue for our imaginations to take over without limitation. After all, a life with limits can be a tad dull!
I for one embrace the more understated approach as I prefer to opt for casual equestrian chic when attending the races. Women should look stylish and effortlessly fabulous, rather than try too hard with fascinators, oversized obscure millinery creations and matching dresses. It is not that I don’t appreciate women going to all that trouble to be in with a chance to win at Ladies Day, or get recognized for their imagination, but looking funky and imaginative, whilst being functional and comfortable is surely a better alternative when cheering for your favorite steed.
As we are currently experiencing a transitional phase between seasons, dressing for an outdoor occasion presents us with a challenge. Whilst it is difficult to decide what to wear, layering should be of primary importance. Start from the inside and work out; this way, if the weather picks up, or you get a flush of excitement during the festivities, you can simply remove your pashmina, coat, cashmere sweater or cardigan.
Having the liberty to dress either formally or otherwise at Cheltenham is welcomed, but we must not forget the fundamental components of equestrian style. The words chic, classic and traditional should be at the fore of your mind. History repeats and the classic equestrian look is one that will never go out of fashion. Such inspired fashion was a major feature on the fall 2012 catwalks, so you can follow the lead of some wonderful designers when creating your festival outfit.
Ralph Lauren, Gucci and Hermes are the established fashion houses that spring to mind when I think of creating an elegant horsey look, or classic preppy style. Ralph Lauren brought English tweeds, traditional plaids and three-piece suits to the catwalk. Top hats and walking sticks also featured to showcase looks that you can interpret for racing season. However, it was Tommy Hilfiger who won the equestrian edge by a furlong. His summary of the collection spoke volumes; ‘There’s an equestrian and military influence, mixed with a rock ’n’ roll edge.’ He was referring to the tweeds, riding coats and the pièces de résistance, namely the riding hat, which concluded the imaginative looks.
Victoria Beckham used a more subtle equestrian elegance that was perhaps less intimidating for the masses. She showed us that adding a double wrapped leather belt around the waist brings emphasis to a lady’s shape when layering. This is a trick that really works when you combine different textures and is a useful tip for Cheltenham.
Michael Kors opted for a rural elegance with cosy blanket coats and ponchos, mixed with the softness of lace and satin. He used a variety of fabrics that would be welcomed at Cheltenham this year, such as leather, tweeds and wools that were elegantly worn.
No equestrian themed fashion feature would be complete without a mention of the classic British heritage brand,Burberry. Their timeless trench coats are ideal for the spring climate and the new collection also boasts chic tailoring. Try a tweed pencil skirt, leather jacket or opt for our favorite woven wicker or stripe cap, which is wonderfully reminiscent of a riding hat.
Finally, a classic Hermes riding boot is guaranteed to go down well in the Cotswolds and will help you channel your inner Kate Middleton. If you leave Cheltenham inspired by the jockeys and fancy a go yourself, then Hermes allows the true stars of the show to look just as stylish as us. The brand offers specialist riding equipment and saddles for your horse. Check out this emerald crocodile creation; who said fashion is just for people?!
Whether or not you are an avid follower of the various fashion weeks, they represent a crucial part of the industry and act as a platform for leading designers to showcase their latest collections. Trends are not necessarily something to live by solely, but they definitely set a precedent for the masses. Whether you suffer at the hands of being a fashion victim, or enjoy taking certain subtleties from particular collections, it is vital that you know what cut and colouring suits your body shape. Thankfully, for next season, there is a little something for everyone.
As we look down the line towards Autumn/Winter 2012, prepare yourselves for winter florals, geometric prints, oversized knits, skirts (full and slinky), military, leather trousers and yes ladies, leggings are coming back!
Now, I know I have just dropped the ‘L’ bomb, so I will deal with the leggings first. Many of you will cringe at the thought of a revival of Flash Dance; with ballet pumps and mini skirts accompanying such a trend. However, for next season the idea is that they will act as a substitute for winter woolies and hosiery. Yes, your little tootsies may get chilly on those nights out, but ‘pain is beauty’, as they say.
This time around, the legging look is to be worn with sexy pointed stilettos and either full skirts, pencil skirts or dresses. If done properly, it will make for a sophisticated look. Issa showed us the way with subtle fun pattern leggings that matched the rest of the ensemble, while Clements Ribeiro gave us a slightly more sophisticated take on the look by adding black leggings to bold colours and pencil skirts. However, if you are uncomfortable with your leg size or ankle area, it is probably best to steer clear of this particular trend.
Winter Florals is a welcome trend and the obvious phase for florals is spring blossoms and summer vibrancy. This trend will brighten up even the darkest winter day. Giles Deacon, Erdem, Christopher Kane, Alexander McQueen andTemperley all used floral influences in their shows. Erdem and Giles showed us that little cardigans mixed with bold floral patterned skirts in warmer shades of greens, blues, reds and yellows can work quite sweetly. This concept creates a garden party vibe, with a ‘Pimms-on-the-lawn’ chic that would not only be approved by our grandmothers, but also encourages us to seek inspiration from their wardrobe.
Geometric Prints were a fun trend on the catwalks, but think of it like Marmite for winter, its a love or hate relationship. However; unsubtle prints can be an acquired taste. I adore geometrics and think they offer a great way to break up solid colour and balance out most shapes. They must be worn on the correct area; top or bottom depending on your weak spot. This is also a trend that can be interpreted through accessorises. A bold printed scarf can make the little black dress really pop. A fun geometric inspired heel could be tried even by the most conservative of fashion followers.Mary Katrantzou, Peter Pilloto and Johnathan Saunders all brought something geometric to their shows, with skirts, sweaters and jackets all featuring heavily on the runway.
The oversized knit is probably my favorite trend for the winter as it is easy and comfortable. If you are feeling creative, then you can raid your partner’s wardrobe and borrow one of his sweaters. Simply add a belt to the waist, roll up the sleeves and voila! The main advice to offer for this trend is that the jumper must hit below the bottom, but well above the knee. Acne showed us such a look when showcasing a neon lime jumper over leather cropped pants. WhileMulberry‘s show took oversized to another level. Large shaggy fur coats and gilets were whimsically inspired by Maurice Sedak’s monster themed children’s book, “Where the wild things are”.
Another trend that was evident on the runways was a new take on leather trousers. I love leather and wear this look most winters. But it is time for a new take on the skinny, wet-look, second-skin style, as seen previously. Topshop andMulberry created a welcome alternative and edited the look by making it wide-legged and baggy. Although it is more grunge-inspired, I think this is perfect for the woman who is self-conscious about her leg. However, be careful not to swamp yourself with anything over-sized on top.
Swinging skirts also featured strongly and most women can work this ladylike look. There were a selection of shapes and sizes for this feminine trend. Temperley, Giles and Stella McCartney all had their own take on the flirty look. Swinging, kick flare, pencil, block, bold, swirl, brocade; the skirt is back and we love it here at The Sloaney. Its ‘Goodbye’ maxi and ‘Hello’ to a little bit of leg!
Finally, for the more conservative and tailored spirit, military is a key style for winter. It’s a look that can be very flattering and a nice alternative to the corporate and masculine androgyny that women use time and time again in the work environment. Khaki greens and clean lines were evident on the runways, especially of Alexander McQueen andBurberry. Try mixing it with lace up boots or heeled shoe boot brogues, as I think this look can bring out your inner dominance.
via: www.thesloaney.com
by Chloe coco Arnold