Throughout this last week of methodology drudgery, there has been a somewhat random quandary distracting my seriously badly behaved attention span. It was not what type of morally and hygienically challenged, socially inept person would appear on the much anticipated 1000th episode of Jeremy Kyle. No, this was a far more pressing issue that revolved solely (haha) and extremely seriously (obviously) on whether to sock, or not to sock? It was clear as I left the house for a Friday night date boldly sporting a pair of darling H&M floral socks perfectly visible through my suitably high, chunky heeled sandals that the answer was a resounding hell yeah.
For a while now nothing has pleased me more than the Alice In Wonderland inspired, ultra feminine styles that have bound like spring lambs into our wardrobes; giving even the most stolid female the refreshing desire to host a La Durée inspired tea party. Think ice cream pastels, ankle socks, sheer, draping material, rosy cheeks, a devilish smile and of course, ‘EAT ME’ Hummingbird cupcakes with Royal Albert bone china tea cups and saucers to match. As someone who still buys the cutesy beady hair clips from Accessories Angels (the erm...kids section), you can imagine, there is nothing that pleases me more than the entire fashion world realising the joy of embracing ones inner 10 year old.
The problem that I feel many of us will have with this trend is how far it can realistically be taken before people begin to shout ‘freak’ at you as you pirouette past them in Bloch point shoes, a Carrie inspired tutu, dame Edna pearls, a Princess Di tiara and Lady GaGa on t’other end of a Pinkberry wanting her obligatory tea cup back. Lest we forget, 10 years old - we are not (sorry girls). There is a limit as to how many of the floral cycling shorts, lace ankle socks and dungaree creations (see the WHOLE of Topshop for more details) we can wear without becoming a seriously misinformed problem to our nearest and dearest.
Unsurprisingly, it was the Andrew Lloyd Webber of the fashion editorial; Mario Testino, who provided me with the much needed grown-up inspiration that would prevent me from throwing the dummy out of the pram over how to pull off this potentially difficult trend. His ‘Girls Allowed’ shoot for a recent Vogue (think more draping pearls, ethereal curly locks and heavenly pastel shades than painful vocals, fake tan and cheating husbands), portrayed the kind of peaceful, otherworldly empowered serenity that can be achieved through this trend. The model wore silky bunny ears, high-necked lace, bold coral necklaces and ruffled layered skirts, yet the serious heel height combined with a deep and glinting eye suggested perfectly that there is far more to this look than candy floss sweetness and a ditsy smile.
This stunning collection of photographic genius taught me that this trend is absolutely NOT about revealing to the world ones inner Suri Cruise envies. Accessories must be intricate, make up minimal and heels high as the clouds you appear to have drifted down from. It is about embracing confident femininity that is light hearted, not politically charged. There is a respectable and well earned time and place for androgyny and boyish trends. We need look no further than the alternative trends this season to see that fashion is about diversity. But Spring/Summer for me this year will be about capturing the wonderland that is being offered and enjoying the moments in which I am allowed to be as sophisticatedly girly as I choose.
So, despite the fact that not for the first time, I managed to utterly bemuse Daniel, (who kindly reminded me that socks and sandal combos are ‘like...bad in fashion’), not for a while have I actually enjoyed an outfit as much as this and I would honestly and earnestly advise people to give it a go. Embrace the lace, the sheer fabrics, the pastels, the pearls, the jewels and the fresh faced appearance. Definitely host a tea party and ABSOLUTELY re-read Alice In Wonderland. It’s been a long, bitter winter and I can think of no better way to thaw out and put back the sorely missed spring in our steps than embracing fashion at its most fantastic and frivolous. After all, in the immortal words of the charming Alice ‘it’ll be a comfort – never to grow into an old woman’.
For a while now nothing has pleased me more than the Alice In Wonderland inspired, ultra feminine styles that have bound like spring lambs into our wardrobes; giving even the most stolid female the refreshing desire to host a La Durée inspired tea party. Think ice cream pastels, ankle socks, sheer, draping material, rosy cheeks, a devilish smile and of course, ‘EAT ME’ Hummingbird cupcakes with Royal Albert bone china tea cups and saucers to match. As someone who still buys the cutesy beady hair clips from Accessories Angels (the erm...kids section), you can imagine, there is nothing that pleases me more than the entire fashion world realising the joy of embracing ones inner 10 year old.
The problem that I feel many of us will have with this trend is how far it can realistically be taken before people begin to shout ‘freak’ at you as you pirouette past them in Bloch point shoes, a Carrie inspired tutu, dame Edna pearls, a Princess Di tiara and Lady GaGa on t’other end of a Pinkberry wanting her obligatory tea cup back. Lest we forget, 10 years old - we are not (sorry girls). There is a limit as to how many of the floral cycling shorts, lace ankle socks and dungaree creations (see the WHOLE of Topshop for more details) we can wear without becoming a seriously misinformed problem to our nearest and dearest.
Unsurprisingly, it was the Andrew Lloyd Webber of the fashion editorial; Mario Testino, who provided me with the much needed grown-up inspiration that would prevent me from throwing the dummy out of the pram over how to pull off this potentially difficult trend. His ‘Girls Allowed’ shoot for a recent Vogue (think more draping pearls, ethereal curly locks and heavenly pastel shades than painful vocals, fake tan and cheating husbands), portrayed the kind of peaceful, otherworldly empowered serenity that can be achieved through this trend. The model wore silky bunny ears, high-necked lace, bold coral necklaces and ruffled layered skirts, yet the serious heel height combined with a deep and glinting eye suggested perfectly that there is far more to this look than candy floss sweetness and a ditsy smile.
This stunning collection of photographic genius taught me that this trend is absolutely NOT about revealing to the world ones inner Suri Cruise envies. Accessories must be intricate, make up minimal and heels high as the clouds you appear to have drifted down from. It is about embracing confident femininity that is light hearted, not politically charged. There is a respectable and well earned time and place for androgyny and boyish trends. We need look no further than the alternative trends this season to see that fashion is about diversity. But Spring/Summer for me this year will be about capturing the wonderland that is being offered and enjoying the moments in which I am allowed to be as sophisticatedly girly as I choose.
So, despite the fact that not for the first time, I managed to utterly bemuse Daniel, (who kindly reminded me that socks and sandal combos are ‘like...bad in fashion’), not for a while have I actually enjoyed an outfit as much as this and I would honestly and earnestly advise people to give it a go. Embrace the lace, the sheer fabrics, the pastels, the pearls, the jewels and the fresh faced appearance. Definitely host a tea party and ABSOLUTELY re-read Alice In Wonderland. It’s been a long, bitter winter and I can think of no better way to thaw out and put back the sorely missed spring in our steps than embracing fashion at its most fantastic and frivolous. After all, in the immortal words of the charming Alice ‘it’ll be a comfort – never to grow into an old woman’.
David Platt, Nick Tinsley and Tina McIntyre appear on the 1000th episode of Jeremy Kyle.
ReplyDelete...how exciting!
Charlotte you are my hero! You will always be the favourite swede of the bunch xxx
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