From a suit-free office look, to classy wedding shoes, and the perfect maxi, here are responses to readers' queries. By ROSEMARY Mac CABE
NO ONE has all of the answers all of the time, but sometimes it takes an objective eye to steer you in the right direction. The biggest surprise of answering readers’ queries is that Irish Times readers, it seems, are most concerned with two spheres of life: work and weddings. We Irish are fine with the in-between areas – casual Friday nights or weekends off – but the more formal occasions get our goat.
There is no need to worry. In work, as in weddings, there are several rules of thumb. First, iron your clothes. No one looks put-together in a creased shirt. Second, dry your hair. Not because you’ll catch your death of cold but because wet hair betrays a serious lack of preparation.
Third, think of Coco Chanel’s ideas about minimalism. Before you leave the house, take something off, be that a pair of long earrings, a chunky bracelet or a ring. Less is certainly more.
Which leads us nicely to . . . cover-up. Legs and cleavage are all very well for casualwear, but not great for looking professional or for pleasing an addled bride. On which note, don’t wear white. At work, you’re sure to spill coffee; at a wedding, she’s sure to spill red wine, “accidentally”, all over you.
No need to follow suit at the office
I recently started work at a company with a corporate dress code. I hate suits and I’m finding it hard to find clothes that are suitable. I’m a size 16-18 which makes things a little more difficult.
– Chantelle, by email
I once worked in the Department of Justice (yes, really) and spent my time jumping between two suits – one black and wide-legged and one, er, grey and wide-legged – mixing and matching a variety of floral blouses and block-coloured T-shirts.
But times have changed, and as I see it, corporate needn’t mean pencil skirts or dress’n’jacket combos. For example, Evans (whose website has an even looser definition of the word “workwear” than I do) has a great selection of ontrend staples that would be perfectly suitable for an office environment.
This ivory contrast shirt (€55) would look great with a black pencil skirt or a pair of trousers, such as these wide-legged belted trousers (€42), also from Evans. Wear with or without a blazer for corporate cool.
Asos is another great one for plus-sized fashion, with its Curve range. Try this lace midi dress (€62.21) – very Kate-Middleton-in-Erdem – under a contrasting blazer, such as this one (€48.39), also from Asos, with a very trendy peplum detail, which is, I swear, more flattering than one might think.
If you’re looking for a basic capsule wardrobe, you can’t go far wrong with a pair of peg-legged black trousers; a navy or black blazer, perhaps with an interesting detail such as a faux leather lapel (see River Island’s upcoming collection, up to a size 18); two fitted dresses in either block colour or lace; and two soft blouses or tops.
Dedicated followers of fashion
WHEN PEOPLE ASK how they should dress or what “style” would suit them, one of the first pieces of advice that comes to mind is to find a celebrity whose shape or colouring is similar to yours, and see what they are doing correctly – and what they are doing wrong.
The latter can usually be easily uncovered by opening any gossip magazine, where said offences will – along with any cellulite the photo editor can find – be ringed in red in hall-of-shame fashion.
There is always a celebrity to emulate – and, if you are one of those “natural size eight” women, there are hundreds. But let’s start with the others.
Christina Hendricks is best known for two things – and no, we’re not talking about the obvious: playing Joan Holloway in Mad Men, and red-carpet disasters. But in this office-appropriate get-up, she’s taken her cue from her alter ego and gone all sexy secretary, from her wine leather skirt to her black shirt. This was taken in New York in May, before the city reached boiling point, so is perfect for our, ahem, more temperate climate.
Fluorescent Elephant in Temple Bar ( fluorescentelephant.com) stocks a range of retailored vintage leather skirts from €50.
Say hello to Miranda Kerr, supermodel and wife of Orlando Bloom. Kerr’s casual look is simple to emulate; her jeans are Current/Elliott, but try Marks Spencer for high-street prices, and check out Monsoon’s summer sale for your own headgear. But be careful – hats are not for everyone. In Kerr’s case, the hat takes her from “feh” to “fab”, and she gets bonus points for her super-flat sandals. See? They really are just like the rest of us.
A little black dress needn’t be restricted to the winter months, and our very own Laura Whitmore shows us how by pairing her (rather nondescript, let’s face it) LBD with a pair of cool leopard-print wedge ankle boots.
The red bag is a fiery touch – and Whitmore’s restraint in not going for an obvious red lip is to be admired.
Last, it’s no big secret that we Irish women love a maxi dress (all the better to conceal you with, my dear). American TV host Rocsi Diaz has given hers just the right amount of oomph with a pair of chunky sandals and casual, off-duty hair. Just don’t hold your phone out on the street like that – fodder for an opportunistic drive-by thief if ever we saw it.
The perfect black wedding shoe
I’ve fallen in love with a pair of Lanvin pointy-toed slingback heels – I think they were from autumn/winter 2010 – as I would like a pair of black shoes to wear with my wedding dress this September. The main current style is a chunky platform, but I want a chic, classy style. I know new looks will be out in September, but I need to get them sooner for fittings. I’m a size 38.
– Roisin, by email
The platform really is ruling the roost at the moment when it comes to fancy footwear. You didn’t say what your budget is so here is a selection of shoes, although obviously not all will tickle your fancy.
1. These black suede court shoes by Office (€95) have a really gorgeous, almost oval, pointed toe and aren’t so high that you won’t make it through the first dance in them. They’re missing your ankle strap, however, and the kind of pizzazz you’d want from your wedding shoe.
2. These courts by Carvela at Asos (€131.34) have your ankle strap, although they also – curses – have that dreaded platform. In this case, it’s low enough so as not to unduly bother you, and it’s worth bearing in mind that a platform does make a killer heel slightly less murderous.
3. You’re either the type of bride who loves the idea of wearing Louboutins, or the type who hates it; but if you have the budget, the brand has a few shoes worth considering. The Yousra in suede (€535, pictured) is another option – a typical 10cm heeled court shoe, but with a beautiful vintage cut that’s really flattering on the ankle.
The Divinoche (€935, not pictured – see christianlouboutin.com) is a stunning peep-toe court with a gorgeous crossover strap detail. Again, there's the slightest of platforms, but with a lace effect that makes a nice feature out of it. Both have the trademark red heel.
4. If you're willing to wait a week or two for delivery, these Giuseppe Zanotti heels (€505) at farfetch.comare stunning. The peachy bow detail will go well with a wedding dress while the gold-tone panel provides a nice contrast. The site offers free global returns.
Going to great lengths in search of the right maxi
I’m attending a friend’s wedding in September and can’t find a dress to wear. I’m 5ft 10 and a size 12. It’s going to be quite formal, although not black tie.
Ideally I would like to find a long dress I could wear with flats or sandals. I struggle to find maxis long enough and prefer them to be to the floor.
I like blues and purples but am open to any colour as long as it is not brown, black or white. My budget is between €100-150. I find maxis can look quite dated so I’m looking for something a little edgy, and not in line with a bridesmaid’s dress.
– Annie, by email
Longtallsally.comsells clothes designed for women who are taller than your average Shakira (4ft 11in, since you asked).
1. This grape-coloured twisted-neck dress doesn’t look like much, but it will dress up nicely with some statement jewellery and suit September’s balmy autumn climate (we hope) to a tee. It’s currently €63, reduced from €94.
2. This floral maxi dress (€40) is from Topshop’s Tall range, which, well, you get the picture. It would look great worn with a slightly messy up-do, a pair of flat brown sandals and accessorised with heaps of gold – narrow gold hoop earrings and a metal belt. It comes in way below your budget, too, so you could invest in the right accessories if needs be.
3. This turquoise dress from French Connection (€230) is not at all bridesmaidy, and looks as if you may have picked it up on your exciting Indian holiday.
It measures 123cm from the centre of the back to the ground, and appears on the model (who should be around 5ft 9in) to be floor-length. Only a trial will say for sure but it should be a safe bet.
Read Rosemary Mac Cabe's fashion blog Fash Mob at irishtimes.com/blogs
