Fashion is cyclical by nature and tends to revisit past trends rather than invent new ones. Now this is a positive thing – if you had a little black dress from years ago or your grandma had some costume jewellery that you happened to find in her attic, well you are in for a treat this season as old fashioned glamour is back.
Style is stepping back in time this season with thanks to some of the world’s most prominent fashion houses. Sparkle, glitter, feathers, sequins, leather, and faux fur have hit the high street with a bang. Taking inspiration from designers such as Gucci and Prada, who are leading the movement away from dull tones and textures, the high street stores such as River Island, Topshop and our own Awear and Born are the ones to watch. And naturally, the celebs are fans too. Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks and singer Paloma Faith are the best contemporary ambassadors for old school glamour who embrace eras past to define their red carpet style.
Get furry
The key to getting the glam look right, is to keep it simple. Faux fur is a mega trend and channelling this into your existing wardrobe is easier than you think. A faux fur gillet or jacket, can add some 1970s vibes to a casual look, like jeans or cropped trousers. Tone down the accessories and prints and wear with block colours so the jacket is the statement piece of your outfit. If you are not a fan of the all over faux fur look, you can accessorise with it instead, such as swapping your traditional wool scarf for a soft furry snood or stole.
Colour and shape
Traditionally we as a nation are a little scared of colour, but it’s time to be brave and challenge your fashionable instincts. Jewel tones such as emerald green, ruby red and topaz are beautifully feminine and are colours to explore when choosing your dress for the office Christmas party. Karen Millen and Coast have a great selection of dresses in all these colours and have added some fun textures like feathers and ruffles. Lengths are longer this season (this goes for skirts too ), with hemlines below the knee, keeping sophistication as the consistent theme. Dress styles are varied but the “pencil” shape is probably the most popular. This style suits all shapes and creates a gorgeous silhouette on the body by creating the all important curve! Take some inspiration from Marilyn for this one by checking out Michelle Williams playing the title roll in the upcoming movie, My Week with Marilyn.
Of course, that’s not to say that the old reliable “Little Black Dress” is going anywhere. Completely the opposite in fact. The LBD is the pop-on dress for the last minute night out or, as I like to style it, for day to night. You officially have my permission to take glamour to the office and the LBD is the best way to do this. Gone are the days when suits were the only outfit choice; the dress is the way. Marks and Spencer have a great range to choose from, as do stores like Menary’s and Ryans, and yes black is a colour that is kind. And if you prefer to stick to a darker tone rather than the jewels, the LBD is a wardrobe investment that you can add colour to as you see fit and make that transition from your desk to the bar. I think the best way to do this is with stacking bangles. Fashionista Olivia Palermo from MTV’s The City is a pro at this. Pop into Penneys and invest in gold, green and red chunky bangles and wear up to three at a time with your LBD; alternatively, statement necklaces such as collars are another accessory trend as seen at Nicole Ritchie’s House of Harlow and a little closer to home at Newbridge Silverware.
And don’t be
forgetting the pins.
My last tip for making your Winter glamorous is having a good selection of tights. Henry Holland has designed for Pretty Polly for the second season in a row, or if you feel like a treat, Wolford at Brown Thomas will always suffice.
So go get glamorous and step into a very stylish Winter.
Lorna Claire Weightman www.styleisle.ie Twitter: @styleisleIRL
