B8 *** Wednesday 30 August 2017 The Daily Telegraph

went on was in March, “and I knew he Black , £145 Leopard dress, was a bit ‘trendier’ than me, so I (kitristudio.com) £440, Ganni bought a pair of Nike Air trainers to Earrings, £9.99 (net-a-porter.com) wear along with a pair of dark blue, (mango.com) Earrings, £27 skinny Paige jeans and a white silk Finery sandals, (pilgrim.net) shirt from Equipment. I have never Charlie’s own Gucci belt, What to wear owned ‘trendy’ trainers before and he Charlie’s own not only complimented me on my Shoes, £210 trainer choice that night, he is now my ( (aeyde.com) boyfriend. Thanks, Nike.” Which brings me to the first outfit option: jeans and a “nice” top. If you’re not the trendy trainer type (and I’m on a first date not), Berkeley always recommends a pair of heels. A silk shirt, rather than cotton one, will stop you from feeling too corporate. “It’s boring, but dressing in a relatively conservative way is perceived as showing status and confidence. And remember, too, that men often judge something that’s overly fashion forward unfavourably. Whether you’re still looking or back on the market, So save your paper bag waists, furry shoes and oversized everything for the the politics of getting dressed for a date are complex. second date!” Second on the list of date-safe Charlie Gowans-Eglinton seeks advice outfits is the LBD. In my case, it’s not so “little” – I prefer sleeves and below enerally, in my Since you’re unlikely to reach the the knee hemlines, so pipped for line of work, Two sharing-of-souls bit if you’re dressed Kitri’s slinky wrap dress. Lisa I’m never short experts like a ninny, your outfit needs to Armstrong, fashion director of The of style advice. outshine your bad jokes, and get you Telegraph, notes that black gets harder I’m surrounded suggested to date number two. to wear as you get older, and colour by women So, on to the practical advice. As for more flattering, so your version of a happy to offer a clean age, this advice stands whether you’re LBD might not actually be black, but second opinion knickers. dating first, second, or third time navy, burgundy or even red. Whatever on what to pack around. Or fourth. I’m not here to the colour or cut, this should be the for that work trip, which shoes to Not a bad judge, just recommend a frock. “I dress that you put on for cocktail wear to which restaurant, what to start but I don’t think dating wardrobes need to parties when nothing else in your Gwear to a job interview. But ask what change depending on age,” says wardrobe feels right. to wear on a date, and suddenly a think this Berkeley. “The older you are, the So far, so safe. On to door number tumbleweed rolls by. better you will be at it.” three, behind which waits the “loudest” For this piece, I polled a number of is an Ines da Silva, consulting editor of of my recommended outfits. “I think experts (some style, some dating) for Debrett’s and Bicester’s Guide to it’s nice to make an effort on a first advice. Two recommended clean everyday British Style, says: “If it’s an internet date,” says Frankie Graddon, fashion knickers. Not a bad start, but rule, not date, be consistent with how you and beauty editor at The Pool, who met personally, I think this is a rule for present yourself in your profile too, her boyfriend of two-plus years on everyday, and not just first dates. The just for a rather than opting for a drastic Tinder. “I’d expect him to, and would rest offered tactful-but-unhelpful last-minute makeover which might be put off by a scruff bag. But nothing suggestions that fell into two camps. first date confuse your date.” Ah. Well. As my overly fancy.” For me, she says, this One: it doesn’t matter what you wear profile includes photos of me wearing translates to a printed dress and as long as you’re comfortable, and a PVC trench , a yellow leather platform heels, dressed down with a two: just be yourself. , a green leather jacket and silver leather jacket – since she also happens Neither adage is terrible advice, ankle boots, that doesn’t exactly to be my best mate from uni, she but nor are they helpful when you’re narrow down my options. knows my style better than most. standing on Oxford Street at 11am on The last first date Sophia Money- “I’d say whatever makes you feel a Saturday morning. The problem is, Coutts, features director at Tatler, fabulous, regardless of whether it’s no one really wants to tell you what to wear on a date, for fear of WHERE TO START A DATING CAPSULE WARDROBE sounding sexist or old-fashioned, so they stay quiet. But it’s like shopping for a wedding without a dress code A LBD A silk shirt current favourite dress up most A confidence- – nobody wants to be the woman sat Though it doesn’t Equipment’s are pair, then look outfits, or boosting pair on a hay bale in blush silk. necessarily have great quality, for a smarter distract from a of heels “First impressions matter,” says be black, or and can be worn option. Black or bad blow-dry. I love the Anna Berkeley, fashion stylist. particularly to the office, too. dark indigo is comfort and “People make snap judgements in a little. Gestuz For great printed best for evening, A bold option height of few seconds.” The number of have a silk styles, consider and a bit of If, for you, that platforms, but seconds is up for debate and in option with long silk pyjama stretch will be means print, try even the tiniest psychological study, the most sleeves that brands like most flattering Ganni or Finery. kitten heel will common theory seems to be seven. comes in navy or Yolke and Olivia – I love Frame If it means do. If flats are Seven seconds. Not exactly time for burgundy, or try von Halle. and Mih for colour, & Other your preference, my sense of humour to shine, is it? Diane von dressier denim. Stories and look to this I’ve been told by more than one (now Furstenberg’s Well-fitted jeans Uterque have season’s jewelled close) friend that they weren’t keen famously Stick to XXL earrings lovely bright styles to add a bit on me at first, but I won them over. flattering wrap whichever brand If in doubt, add pieces at the of glamour to Seven seconds isn’t long enough for . makes your earrings. They’ll moment. your look.

that – I’ll need at least three dates. RODRIGUES SANDRA HAIR AND MAKE-UP CROWLEY, ANDREW PHOTO

ISABEL SPEARMAN WHY IT WORKS

the trick is choosing a The start of a new few additions to your season calls for a workwear wardrobe to update what you have. few stylish new Start with the shoes. buys for the office With the Seventies inspiring new season trends, there is a lot of Now that my burgundy (my favourite summer holiday colour) around. These Q is past, my patent block heels from workwear feels out of Zara are perfect for work. date. What should I be They also come in black; I looking for? may buy both colours as they are such a good price. No matter your I am not one for patience age, the start of (ask my husband) but I A September have had to wait for brings a back to Arket to launch to Checked coat, £450 school feeling. get my hands on this (lkbennett.com) It’s a great time to dress. I will wear it Floral dress, £145 (arket.com) available Sept 13 reconsider your work with black or wardrobe and update burgundy heels, and it for the cooler days come colder weather ahead. The shops are it will look full of mustard, great with plum and all boots. Arket those delicious is H&M’s autumnal new sister colours, brand and a plus velvet, good corduroy and source for winter florals; workwear. It’s hard to find tops that look just as good Intarsia ribbed top, £59 Medium heeled shoes, £19.99 under a (COSstores.com) (zara.com) jacket as on its own, as fitting and good quality the It’s a great time merino sweaters in neckline is to reconsider mouth-watering colours. usually too And last but never least, low or high, but your wardrobe a new coat. Checks and The Fold has a tweeds are everywhere lovely mustard and update it thanks to the catwalks, silk blouse with a for cooler days and this LK Bennett coat pleat detail at the is my favourite with its front. Yellow can clean collar and nipped in put people off, but flattering than a block of waist. The problem is, I mustard is the colour. M&S have a great – and you – will have to easiest shade to option. wait two more weeks, as wear, and this is the I avoid trousers as they it’s not available until Sept ideal time to try it, don’t suit my figure, but if 13. Fingers at the ready… when your skin they’re your go-to, then tone will likely be Jigsaw should be on your To ask Isabel Spearman warmer and more list. A flattering cut with a your workwear questions, tanned – if not, add high waist, their check email isabel.spearman a touch of bronzer. trousers will look great @telegraph.co.uk or Printed , I like my pencil with a simple knit. For follow her on Instagram £39.50 printed, as those, I rely on Cos and @isabelspearman (marksandspencer.com) I find it’s more Uniqlo which produce well The Daily Telegraph Wednesday 30 August 2017 *** B9 GETTING DRESSED (WITHOUT THE FUSS) �rissy urner Silk shirt, £275 part appropriate”, is my mother’s advice; of set “you need your clothes to be your (libertylondon.com) friends in stressful situations.” Hence Black jeans, £232 the leopard print dress: definitely not a irl on a budget (frame-store.com) safe choice, but it’s something I’d wear Prada sandals, to dinner, or even the pub. If you love Charlie’s own stripes, florals or bright colours, then could be worn with dark Pink print, £25.99 (zara.com) Yellow, £69 (stories.com) why hide that on a first date? In between separates and a light polo “Specific outfit choices definitely neck underneath to get send messages,” says Berkeley, “so if seasons, bright maximum wear when you want to say you are fun and the weather cools down. creative, choose print, or yellow.” colours will My favourite so far is a As for what to avoid, Whitney lemon frilled number from Wolfe, founder and CEO of dating app give your Danish brand, Baum und Bumble, suggests that “if you’re Pferdgarten. someone that has never worn heels, wardrobe a lift My yellow blouse don’t choose your first date to wear appears considered. Its those stilettos for the first time”. ntil a friend classic white counterpart Money-Coutts suggests avoiding questioned would be simple and “colours which show up sweat patches my all black easy to wear, and go with if you, like me, sweat an alarming outfit in last everything, but a yellow amount when nervous. And probably weekend’s one? That definitely just don’t go along to a first date, or 24C heat, I took some thought and even a second or third date, in a hadn’t realised I’d been planning – or at least you’d Blue, £35.99 (mango.com) Pale pink, £29.99 (hm.com) wedding dress.” Uwallowing in a sea of think so. Because that’s If all this seems like a lot of faff, bear darks and neutrals all the great thing about a in mind, the seven second rule applies summer. Granted, this colourful blouse: such is to your date, too. Hopefully, in a was semi-deliberate; I’d their statement-making, bathroom not too far from your own, been going for a chic, scene-stealing prowess your prospective date is going to the grown-up approach to that everything else same pains. And if not? I don’t think summer dressing, pairing you should rule someone out over a floaty navy dresses with Printed styles work dodgy pair of trainers, but we each cream slingback flats must draw a line. Mine is short- and my black crossbody too, so long as the sleeved shirts. If you’re dating men, bag. I’d definitely been print is bold rather the latest concern in the online sphere feeling more elegant, but than delicate is “hatfishing” (a play on catfishing, or it was a bit, well, boring, posing as someone else online) when and I missed my once- requires minimal effort. I men cover dodgy haircuts and bald signature bright colours. wear my yellow number patches under hats on their profiles. September creeping with navy trousers or According to Jonathan Heaf, up signals change, albeit dark denim, my trusty features director at GQ, “there’s only a late one, and I’m more crossbody bag and those Red, £25 (laredoute.com) Mint, £69 (kitristudio.com) one cardinal sin for men on first dates. than making up for lost cream slingback flats. Or, forever, in fact. The square-toed time, not just by pulling Apart from the blouse, shoe. If a woman (or man) sees this out my lighter summer not much has changed. A underneath the pub table on the pieces, but also by pop of colour slips right person they may well be three pints adding new colour- into your everyday away from sleeping with I can strongly block tops to my uniform, because advise they do one thing: run. Run and wardrobe. Since it’s just that; never look back. Delete his number, a change in a pop that unfollow, repent and try to forget the seasons isn’t brightens whole sorry episode.” far away, a everything up. If you’re dating women, that’s a bright dress Start with different kettle of fish altogether – and might soon silkier fabrics; possibly one that calls for the look out of they drape aforementioned “paper bag waists, place, but nicely and tuck furry shoes and oversized everything.” a coloured into trousers and One of my housemates, dating a blouse skirts well. I woman for the first time, admits she takes more care to dress stylishly now than when she’s dated men. “With love structured styles in colours for £69. Ignore guys, you want to look good, crisp cottons, but being the dry clean only label, obviously, but you can be relatively slightly busty means I too – I throw mine in on a safe in the knowledge that they often end up looking boxy. hand-wash setting and it probably have a limited idea of what’s However, if these work remains unharmed. fashionable or ‘on trend’ for women at for you, head to COS and If you can spend a little the time – or that they don’t care.” Finery for the best ones. more, a bright colour Since you’re likely to go on more Printed styles work, too, (like the catwalk trend than one first date, you can so long as the print is bold for red) won’t fall “out” try out a few options to rather than delicate – of fashion as quickly see what you feel both H&M’s Trend section has as a print, so it’s worth sexy and comfortable great printed options. For splurging a bit on a in, and what makes the 100 per cent silk without colour and fabric you best first impression. the luxury price tag, & love knowing that you And here’s the best bit: Other Stories does a lovely can just pair it once you’ve found that outfit, straight fit shirt in nine with something different you can wear it time and again; your different prints and block next season.

next date won’t know the difference. THE TELEGRAPH FOR FRACKELTON CREDIT ZAC

the good bacteria to grow, naturally filling the space occupied by the P. acnes [the bacteria responsible for acne].” The appeal for skincare that Is this the new works within the skin’s own ecosystem can be seen as natural skincare 2.0. Many of these new brands have robust clinical data to back up their results, which are achieved while still skin saviour? keeping the skin in a natural, calm state. Interestingly, the beauty giant Johnson & Johnson has recently expanded its Innovation portfolio to include two companies that focus on research in treating skin conditions with good bacteria. The L’Oréal Group, which owns this new, natural technology”. In skincare heavyweight Lancôme, has Probiotics could be the developing the brand, Vero wanted to also pushed research in this new field help the skin regain its natural balance of skincare. Today, Lancôme launches answer to solving problem in the same way that probiotics help to its latest innovation, Advanced skin. Sonia Haria looks at rebalance the gut; within two years of Genifique Sensitive. The brand launch, Aurelia has won more than 20 describes this £59 serum as an the growing popularity of a beauty awards. “emergency response” product, to be new kind of beauty product The idea is that by applying used for one month when your skin is probiotics to the surface of the skin, or going through a bout of sensitivity. robiotics have long been adding them to products that repair The mix of lactobacillus bacteria and known to have a positive the skin at a cellular level, good the potent antioxidant ferulic acid impact on digestive bacteria will help to strengthen the aims to treat the skin and reduce health, but when it comes skin’s own immunity and calm any sensitivity, and is designed to be to skincare, there have existing inflammations. This is used at night when the skin is in been very few beauty especially exciting for people who “repair mode”. products to harness that impact. But suffer with acne or very sensitive skin. Although big corporations are Pthat’s all changing. Of all the skincare It was because of her own “hyper- labelled “probiotic” launched globally reactive, dry and blemished” skin that in the past three years, 27 per cent was Dr Marie Drago, the French ‘Bacteria is the introduced in 2014, 34.4 per cent in pharmacist, founded her brand ultimate natural 2015 and 38.7 per cent in 2016. Gallinée in April last year. She wanted It’s an incline that data insight group a targeted alternative to strong beauty ingredient. Mintel predict will continue as part of disinfectants on the market that killed the £1.13 billion facial skincare market all the bacteria on the skin – including It’s a game-changer’ in the UK. the good. “The use of probiotics is When the skincare brand Aurelia revolutionary for problem skin,” she increasingly investing in probiotic launched in 2013, it was one of the first says. “They help to rebuild the skin research, it is still largely a market led to hail probiotics as skin saviours. barrier, which is hugely beneficial for by niche beauty brands. Last month “Probiotics as a category is growing, skin conditions like eczema. Probiotics saw the launch of new luxury vegan which is testament to the efficacy of can also have a purifying effect, so the skincare brand Orveda, stocked in this innovate ingredient,” says Claire way we treat acne is going to change Harvey Nichols. It was founded by Sue Vero, the brand founder, whose label totally in the next few years. We are Y Nabi, coincidentally the ex-president has become a pioneer “in harnessing switching to a strategy where we help of Lancôme (a position she held for four years, as part of 20 years in total Face value: the at the L’Oréal group). For the launch of popularity of her brand, Nabi wanted to create a probiotic beauty version of renewal energy for the skin. products is “By using bacteria, yeast and expected to enzymes, we cause no harm to the increase further in natural environment – but crucially, the years to come the products have a proven efficacy in a way that is kind to skin, by considering it as an ecosystem.” In developing the products, Nabi conducted more than 20 clinical tests on 330 participants globally, to prove the products work. Nabi sees the future of beauty as about being kind to the skin and its natural form, and Dr Drago agrees. “I see the industry as moving from ‘ingredient beauty’, where you bring a foreign agent to your skin, such as retinol or alpha hydroxy acids, to ‘ecosystem beauty’, where you help to support a living and breathing ecosystem. Bacteria is the ultimate natural beauty ingredient. It’s a

CONDé NAST VIA GETTY IMAGES VIA GETTY NAST CONDé game-changer.”