FASHION Whether You're Still Looking Or Back on the Market, the Politics Of

B8 *** Wednesday 30 August 2017 The Daily Telegraph FASHION went on was in March, “and I knew he Black dress, £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 coat, a yellow leather platform heels, dressed down with a two: just be yourself. skirt, 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 dresses. 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.

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