Royal Wedding Style Watch: A Dress Update and Other Stuff

Just a quick update this morning for all you Royal Style watchers (including me):
1. Apparently the "all bets are off, the dress is definitely by Bruce Oldfield" reporters are wrong. Latest insights indicate that the dress will indeed be made by a younger, more 'fashion' designer as I requested in my own Royal Wedding Style report a couple of weeks ago. No one knows, of course who it is, but if reports are to be believed, the dress is currently being crafted inside Buckingham Palace.
2. The black and white silk dress that Kate wore this weekend is by Temperley London. Truly and without hesitation one of my favourite designers. And one of my suggested designers for her dress. Just saying.
3. And finally, the Royal Collection just released its official commemorative china for the upcoming nuptials, which includes a plate, cup and pillbox (Royal Collection Shop) ranging from £25 - £40. Each item is decorated with the couple’s initials, the Prince’s coronet and the obligatory wedding date. And since these are official, William and Kate had to approve the design before they could be sold - probably the reason why they are tasteful and don't have their faces plastered all over them. Shop, shop, shop.

How to Wear Sequin Trousers This Festive Season

I know that it is the festive season and therefore any amount of spangle involved in your outfit is permitted. So when you decide that you need to break out the sequin leggings or trousers this year, let me give you some time-honoured guidelines to ensure you look both joyous and stylish.
1. In everything, balance. If you are going for a legging or narrow fit trouser it is essential you balance them out with a heavier boot and blouse. If you keep the whole silhouette narrow, you will look both dated and enormous. So please. Do us all a favour. Ta.
2. Maintain proportion. With a harem trouser, make sure you have a lighter top half and make sure the horizontal is slightly higher than usual to elongate your legs - in other words try not to look like your legs are 5 inches long. That would be an error. You understand.
3. Modernise with a wide leg. The most fashion forward silhouette is characterised by a wider trouser leg, so if you can, use this with your sequin trousers too. It really is the most flattering shape as well.
4. Channel Joan Collins. If all else fails, there is a hard and fast rule of thumb when it comes to deploying sequin and that is to ask yourself: What. Would. Joan. Do. and all the answers will be yours. Have fun.

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

10 Lords-a-Leaping

9 Ladies Dancing

8 Maids-a-Milking

7 Swans-a-Swimming

6 Geese-a-Laying

5 Gold rings

4 Colly Birds

3 French Hens

2 Turtle Doves

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Source: Vogue US November 2008

click on this pretty picture to reveal

today’s newfashiontodayblog choice of party wear

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Royal Wedding Style Watch: Prince William and Kate Middleton Attend Charity Event

This weekend Prince William and Catherine Middleton made their first joint public appearance since the engagement. The couple attended The Thursford Christmas Spectacular in Norfolk, an event staged to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
So let's get right to it. The outfit, I mean.
I like the silk dress in monochrome with the looser fit black jacket. So far, so accessible-trendy. Her hair looks glorious, of course. And everyone knows I am a sucker for a dress with a built-in bib neckpiece. I have two major concerns, however. Are we ever going to get Kate out of her middle class sheer pantyhose? C'mon man! They are so aging and, like, blergh. And, I do think that we need to see a bit of colour and print. Kate looks magnificent in jewel tones and it is befitting a future princess, so let's see it, love. Awesome. Good chat.

Are the Beckhams The Most Stylish Family in the World?

Last night the worldwide institution, the BBC, held its annual Sports Personality of the Year Awards ceremony in Birmingham. The mighty HRH David Beckham was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award and was resoundingly praised for this - it isn't often the British public unites in agreement over a celebrity or sports star.
But what struck me was the tightness of this family unit, the very demonstrative love they all have for each other and - most importantly - the individual style of each member of this young family. It makes me ask, could this be the most stylish family in the world?
I say Kardashians eat your heart out.

Michelle Obama Wears Vintage

In the first ever known instance, Michelle Obama, US First Lady, wore a vintage gown to film the "Christmas in Washington" special TV show last week. The dress is black with a lace overlay from the 50s and it was designed by Norman Norell and sourced from a well-respected vintage store called New York Vintage.
While little known these days outside fashion circles, designer Norman Norell (1900 - 1972) was one of America's most influential mid-century designers. His simple but stylish clothing was known for its exquisite construction, timelessness and glamour, back in the day. His studio was like a mini-Paris in the US at the time. New York Vintage co-owner Jon Schneck says, 

"Other dresses from the archive have been scheduled for use by the First Lady later this year. We are truly honored that the First Lady has chosen a gown from New York Vintage as her first venture into vintage couture."

Angelina Jolie's Monochrome Press Junket for The Tourist

Golden Globe nominee Angelina Jolie (accompanied by Brad Pitt who seems to be going through something of a sartorial mid-life crisis - the less said the better), has been out and about the first world premiering and promoting her new film The Tourist this past week.
In every single stop, she has worn black, cream or a combination of these. She has looked, to varying degrees, great, fine and in one case dreadful. And there is no question, the woman needs to flesh out a bit to get back to her best. However, let's celebrate the classic, timeless monochrome looks that really worked for her on this tour. Designed mostly by Atelier Versace, Angelina Jolie is known for sticking t what she knows works for her. And when she does that, she looks amazing.
Just for the record, I hate her enormous 90s fringe and love the second look where it is integrated into the hair - I think she looks radiant. It needs a campaign, that fringe.