Friday Frocks - The Magnificent Seventh

Another week of massive participation in Friday Frocks; I recruited some posters from webforum Urban 75 to the cause. If any swelegant readers also post on forums, you could try spreading the joy of frocks in that way.

First this week is Trashy in a divine vintage dress. Denim is very big this season, and I love the 1980-style detailing here. She wasn't sure about the length, but I think it's a great feature that's part of what makes this look so retro-chic. She's styled it beautifully with those peeptoe wedges, and a pair of oversized tortoiseshell sunglasses would complete the look.  Or she could go more rock-chick with a bright red belt and heels.

Two Friday frocks from Lesley, I love the gorgeous white and navy vintage dress: that fabric creates great lines and structure, and the circular detail adds a fabulous three-dimensional texture. And then the second frock proves that animal print can be completely classy, especially, when here it's used for a clean-lined, tailored piece.

Urban 75's 'wayward bob' next in a really beautiful fabric. And a look that she described as hippy, but I think is utterly lovely. The way that deep vertical split is echoed by the long lines of the outfit and her lean figure creates an overall impression of elegance.

Another urbanite, drag0n, joined in with this full-on glamorous makeup look.  There's an oft repeated rule that in makeup you should focus attention on either the eyes or the lips. It's a rule I generally ignore, but it's hard to argue that drag0n doesn't look amazing with those sexy smoky eyes - and that the effect wouldn't have been less dramatic had it been fighting for attention with full-on lips. Maybe I should take a leaf from her book...

Maeve also focused on the details this week.  Her plain black outfit is the perfect backdrop to draw attention to these well matched, but not matching collection of silver accessories.  I love that: the way they all belong to the same aesthetic, but are interesting because of their differences. Beautiful.

My colleague Charlotte looking effortlessly gorgeous here in a simple red sundress.  Summer makes most of us veer away from dark colours, but we don't all suit pastels. If you're white with dark hair, you may well find pale shades make you look washed out - so look for summer brights.  Like most brunettes, Charlotte looks amazing in red, and the simplicity of the dress allows the colour to give the wow factor.

On the other hand, if you have a tan or naturally darker skin, white stops counting as a pale colour and becomes a bright. Twitter's @BeBelongy wasn't sure about the length here, but I think she looks fab. I'm not a fan of gladiator sandals, but these gold ones are close enough to her skintone that they don't shorten the leg. I adore that headband too. So cute.

@mikedixon looking moody again, this time in a gorgeous white shirt that he obligingly popped that second button on, and then sent me another photo. The shirt is by superdry, and Mike says it's like wearing fine Egyptian cotton. Me, I like the black detailing, especially on the inside of the collar. It makes my eyes follow it inside the shirt, which I'm sure is something a lot of men would want ladies finding themselves doing....

Edie sent me this gorgeous photo of her in her Friday frock, and although I can't see much of the dress (what I can see - deep V neck, full, floaty skirt - I like a lot) the photo itself is gorgeous, isn't it? Friday frocks photography getting arty? I didn't expect that.

But then, this has to be the most enthusiastic photo we've had so far. Another Urban 75 type, scifisam, searing a simple summer dress with an unfussy monochrome floral print.Prints like this are a good compromise if you can't bear to let go of black altogether, and there are quite a few of them around this summer.  I love the draped neckline here, too... but of course mostly I love the pose. This is how good I hope Friday frocks should make you feel.

Gorgeous 'mentalchik' teamed her monochrome floral dress with skinny-fit jeans for a casual-glam look. Personally, I can't wear jeans in the sort of heat we had last week, but she wears them well and the effect is flattering and fun.

Lovely Rozi (@EatOrBeEaten on Twitter - follow her!) is one of Friday Frocks' biggest cheerleaders, and this week she not only bought a new dress but had a gorgeously flattering new haircut ready for Friday. Remember she's in New Zealand, so she's wearing fashionable grey in the form of a jumper dress. It's important with grey to add some interest, and her warm-toned necklace and chunky ring make this look dressy and put together. It's hard to wear a necklace with this kind of cowl neck, but the length and weight off these beads are perfect.

So many of the dresses in the shops are short at the moment, and I know it's something the swelegencia are finding annoying. @hayleyjgreen solves the problem here by layering this dress with it's flattering empire line and stylised floral design over a similarly flowing skirt.  The line of the dress is continued down, successfully creating an elongated silhouette.

Suzi says this frock makes her "walk tall and smile wide", and what more could you want? The cafe au lait colour is warm enough to flatter her skintone, and the deep square neck provides a frame so that attention is focused on the face, smiling widely. See too how those sandals, so similar in tone to her complexion, elongate the legs.

Conversely, tempertantrum chooses black shoes, which allow her to accessorise this tailored floral summer dress with a smart black jacket - without the shoes, the black would seem too heavy. However, these shoes, although black, really only appear to cover the toe, so the line of her legs isn't broken until the last moment. Very smart.
 

My offering last week was a bit of a break from the norm. I didn't choose this dress, I was exhorted to buy it by my mother-in-law a couple of years ago.  Although it's pretty and I love the zigzag seaming at the dropped waist, the lack of tailoring at the bust and waist and the pearshaped silhouette aren't very flattering to my 'over-inflated-hourglass' body. However, it's very cool in the heat - and it coordinates perfectly with my turquoise and pink flowered Birkenstocks.

On Friday @Girl_In_A_Box (left) was bridesmaid at @LittleModChick's wedding. Not technically Friday frocks, but how could I resist.  Particularly because I wanted to talk about how great these bridesmaids look.  When you have attendants of different shapes and sizes, it's cruel to put them all in the same dress. The solution here, of frocks in the same fabric but a shape to suit each girl, is both elegant and kind.  That kingfisher colour is gorgeous and flattering to all the ladies too.

@Girl_In_A_Box did single out The Lady Vee among the wedding guests as being particularly Friday frocktastic. I can see why - the colours on this dress are deep and jewel-like, perfect for a special occasion and so flattering to her colouring.

Lastly, the bride herself. @LittleModChick has the perfect figure for this dress: not enough boobage and the corset top will look sad and empty, too much and you look fleshy and unsupported. The diagonal pleating over the bodice enhances her waist and adds subtle detail and interest to the simple ivory. I love the way, too, that those delicate curls just touch her bare shoulders.  All brides look beautiful, but this is elegant too.

The Importance of Shirt Buttons

 Aww - I love this photo.  I have it as my desktop wallpaper on my work computer and my laptop. It captures a beautiful moment on the happiest day of  my life.  But - oh my gosh it irritates me, too.  Drives me mad.  Just -just look at it...

I have known my utterly wonderful husband for about four and a half years. During this time, I have explained, demonstrated and cajoled, but still he insists on unbuttoning one, but not two of his shirt buttons - I've more or less given up with him, but it just looks odd.  And yet, as I look around at the gentlemen of Britain, this one-button-madness seems to be rife.  The problem is one of connotation. Two open buttons give an impression of comfort and relaxation.  One button open is, well, more buttoned-up.

The king of 'Only Opening One Button Land' is actor / writer / presenter / comedian and all-round likeable chap David Mitchell. But it works for him. Mitchell's media persona is one of slight diffidence and discomfort, a man who finds himself ill at ease with things like relaxation, fun and the modern world.  As such, the single button open at the neck says "I didn't want to wear a tie, but actually, I'm not quite sure what to do if I don't have a tie on. I know that leaving all my buttons done up looks weird, so -there - look, I've undone one. It's more comfortable and I don't look like I've just taken off my tie. Even though I probably have." And while that works for him, it's not the kind of image many men want to project.  It's also true that, having two buttons open makes you look leaner both in the face and neck; and in the body. It's the same optical rules that make V necks so flattering for women.

When I was at the pub on Saturday, I got some of the gentlemen to pose for us, with one and two buttons undone. Ignore the odd orange glasses - and instead, notice how - when Adrian has more buttons done up - he looks a bit geeky.

It's even more pronounced here, on Harry - perhaps because of the long sleeves - that with only one button undone the wearer looks uncomfortable and uptight. It's important to notice that if you undo two buttons you're not normally going to expose great acres of chest-flesh: you just give the impression of a longer neck.

Undoing two buttons is flattering, and it also marks a clear distinction between work and play. On the left, Pete would be smart enough for many workplaces... but who (except barstaff) wants to look like they could be at work on a Saturday in the pub? On the left, Pete looks laid back and casual.  It's so simple.

There's always one. It's funny, though - a few men have pulled their shirt open in a similar way when I've brought this subject up. Assuming it's not a crazy desire to show me their manly chests, it sometimes seems to be a way of jokingly dealing with insecurities related to showing off  more of their bodies.  Or perhaps it's not feeling it's ok for everyone, even very 'blokey' blokes, to look stylish and be aware of what suits them.  As I said above, most shirts won't show much more flesh if you open two buttons than one, but actually, very soft, unstructured shirts like Steve's will tend to fall open in a wider V shape.

I think the more open neck here looks great - very relaxed and summery, but you can go too far with a good thing.  It takes a certain type of person to pull off more than two buttons open, and on others, it can look a little odd...

In the unlikely event that you are Mr David Mitchell and you are reading this blog, please accept my apologies. I think you know that you've a look and persona that work for you - but should you ever want to change all that, I think you should start with the hair. Seriously...

Undercover Arms

So, I've been meaning to get around to this mission for a while - but Friday Frocks has been a shameless attention seeker, and I've been dazzled by its frivolity.

Mission request? As you know I have tattoos on my upper arms, and as much as I love them I don't show them at work (professionalism and keeping work/private life separate). Looking for long or 3/4 sleeve tops and dresses in the summer tends to limit the choice so I sometime buy things that have shorter sleeves and wear cardigans. I hate buying them them so need some suggestions on cardis for covering up my tattoos in the summer and not leave me boiling.

We don't all have fabulous tattoos like Trudi, but many of us feel more comfortable covering up our upper arms. It seems especially true that ladies with big boobs have had the dubious twin blessing of hefty hams to match - but lots of us are sensitive about our 'bingo wings' - the untoned flesh that keeps waving long after we've stopped. It stands to reason then, that Trudi's quest for ink-concealment will come in handy for quite a few others of us.

The most common solution to the problem is an elbow-length cardigan, either cropped or very fitted.  The pink cardigan at the top of the page is versatile enough for day or evening, and won't look dated anytime soon, so it's probably worth the £50 price tag (it's by Phase Eight at House of Fraser - other colours are available here). The orange shrug above, (£49, John Lewis, also available in black) has a little more femininity in its design detail, with the puffed shoulder and gathering at the elbow - and this can make it easier if you are trying to disguise rounded arms. There are two problems with this style of cover-up (and for more in the same kind of mould, see here): firstly, they're quite expensive, and secondly, they're probably a bit much for a really hot day.

So we want pocket-friendly, heat-busting, arm-covering pieces. This white three-quarter sleeved bolero from M&S is a perfect summer cover-up. The colour is light-reflecting and summery, and it's 100% cotton so it will allow air circulation. It would also be ideal to protect yourself when you've had enough sun. Those flared cuffs will help to balance out heavier arms, and the fabric has a pretty, subtle, circular pattern. It's only £19.50 and will work with all kinds of looks.

Not everyone feels comfortable wearing white, but I've rarely met someone who doesn't look great in shades of turquoise. This bolero is also from M&S, also £19.50 and also 100% cotton (it's also another really weird picture with an uncomfortable-looking model - try to see past that). I'd say his bolero is less versatile - unlike the last one, it probably wouldn't be suitable for more casual occasions - but it is a lovely colour and those A line sleeves are going to be cool and flattering.

Lastly, this slouchy shrug is from ASOS. It comes in black, a warm pale beige, and a super-fashionable pale grey, and the loose cut is easy to wear in the heat.  Best of all it's reduced from £18 to £12. This is a less tailored look, but that doesn't mean it's only suitable for casual dressing.  Kept simple with a more tailored dress or skirt in a plain colour, it would look draped, elegant and classy.

Now, Voyager - Trashy-fabulous Temptations

Much as we might be dedicated to swelegance, few of us can afford to buy a whole new outfit whenever the mood takes us. That's when you need accessories.  Not your bog-standard, identikit bits of outfit-garnish, but gorgeous focal points that will attract glances and compliments whenever you wear them.

So let me introduce you to Now, Voyager. This is a small business based in Southend-on-Sea, and they stock loads of lovely bits and pieces - perfect for adding a touch of glory to your look.  I'm a big fan of floral hairclips: they are a great way of injecting some bright colour to your outfit, and by carrying your look through above the neck it helps you look more 'put together', rather than being all about the clothes.  Now, Voyager's own range of hair flowers are some of the best I've seen.  They're bright, yes - but they're also large: I think a larger hair accessory looks more balanced and less like an afterthought or an apology. I'm definitely going to buy the sunflowers (£8.50) and the poppy (£7.00) above  and - depending on how my spending goes for this pay packet - possibly one or two others as well.

You'll have noticed a retro aesthetic to the photos used, but I really believe a floral hairclip can work regardless of your look.  However, that rockabilly sensibility is their guiding design principle.  That doesn't mean, though, that you have to go wholesale for the look. Take the necklace above. By Bow & Crossbones, it's £12.50, available in silver or gold finished brass and would work beautifully to add something a bit special to the current big nautical trend that's all over the high street.

Wedding season is upon us, and people love a fascinator... but I like them in principle much more than practice, where I feel the design opportunity is often wasted in favour of producing anonymous sprigs of feather and ribbon.  Some of the larger hair accessories at Now, Voyager however, are perfect for wedding guests who want to look truly fabulous. The butterfly clip at the top of this post is really lovely and sure to attract compliments. The black and white pompom above (£9.50) would be an easy alternative to a pillbox hat for city nuptuals, while the fabulously huge orchid (right, £9.50) is perfect for those who love the theatricality of a wedding.

If that's not your style, you're not off to any weddings, and you like to look a little more frivolous, then there's plenty on offer. In fact some of what's in store is a little bizarre.  There's a whole range of cake hairclips, another made from children's toys, but how about a big feathery bird (available in a  range of colours £8.50), or a small, girly straw hat (£14.50) complete with trailing ribbons?