Shoes, Yves Saint Laurent.
THE GODDESS
Perfect for grown-up glamour
Grecian-style dresses always seem to be in fashion and this draped dress look is really one of my all-time favourites. Jennifer Lopez seems to like it a lot as well, and I love looking at those beautiful, long gowns she wears when she is photographed on the red carpet.
Dress, ASOS.
I think it’s the soft caramel and blush colours these dresses come in that also makes me like them – they’re just so classic and simple-looking. No wonder they are called Goddess dresses: the way the draped fabric moves so nicely on your body; the way your shoulders are on show, and the fact that they seem to highlight all your best bits, can certainly make you feel like a goddess! Topshop have a few variations on this style, and I saw a great goddess dress by Love Label in the Littlewoods Direct catalogue (where Amanda Wakeley also does a line). All Saints do ones that can be dressed up or down, and I’d also try ASOS.
Getting the fit right
Draped dresses look great on tall, petite or straight-up-and-down figures. All the folds of fabric and gathering that are the basis of these designs can make a curvier figure look fuller, but if the dress has a plunging neckline and good structure at the bust it can look really nice and sexy. Someone like Beyoncé carries it off brilliantly. Anyone with a small waist and fuller hips can also wear this look well. The goddess dress is maybe not the one I’d pull on if I was having a ‘sticky-out-stomach’ day, but I really wouldn’t be put off, as that’s not to say that if you don’t have a straight shape and you see one you like that you shouldn’t try it on (think of how great J Lo, with her famously curvy bum, looks in them); I’m just pointing out the pitfalls. So do try it on in different styles: you’ll know yourself whether it’s a look you feel comfortable wearing.
Fitting the goddess dress into your look
I think that this is a lovely, classic look that’s great for summer. During the day I’d wear a shorter, on-the-knee style in a neutral colour – like grey, coral or sand – and dress it up with some gold jewellery. Or I might wear a gold arm cuff studded with coloured stones, like jade or turquoise. I’d probably wear flat sandals with a fine thong in gold or natural leather, and a belt to match.
During the day I’d wear a short, draped style in a soft tone like coral or sand.
If I was wearing this look at night, I’d definitely go for a longer, maxi style, as I like full-length dresses and I think they work well for formal occasions. In fact, the Temperley London dress that I wore to the Beckhams’ Full Length and Fabulous party had elements of this look. I wore heels to add height, and I’d say that if you do the same it’s important that the dress is long enough so that only your toes show when you are walking. If it’s too short, the dress will take on a whole new look of its own and lose the classic, draped effect. The aqua-marine colour of my Temperley London dress was perfect for evening, and Boodles lent me a stunning jewelled necklace that night, which, I thought, was just the right side of bling. I had my hair pulled up in a classic bun shape, but I think long, loose waves look good, too.
Dress, Amanda Wakeley.
THE SHIRTDRESS
Perfect for everyday chic
Shirtdresses give you that classic ‘effortless chic’ look – someone like Claudia Schiffer might wear one with just a pair of great sunglasses and a smart structured handbag. Shirtdresses are brilliant for those days when you want to be smart but a little casual, too, and styles that sit just above the knee are definitely the most elegant. A shirtdress can look classically sexy, making it a good day-to-night outfit: I’d just add wedges or a nice round-toe court shoe in tan or some flat sandals and a wide belt to dress it up. Or I’d go for a thinner patent belt with gold detail on it.
Getting the fit right
The main thing with a shirtdress is not to wear it too tight or too baggy. If it’s too tight the buttons will pull open and you don’t want to expose more than you bargained for; if it’s too loose, it can swamp your shape. If shirt shapes tend to fit you round the back but pull at the bust, wear a lace-trimmed camisole or vest underneath. If you’ve got a leaner, straight-up-and-down body shape you’ll look great in a shirtdress: try hoisting it up at the hips slightly with a hipster belt.
Fitting the shirtdress into your look
Because you can button it up or button it down, you can make the dress work for winter or summer. I’d maybe wear a nice khaki-coloured one with a big brown belt and some brown leather wedges in warmer months. Or if I was to do a fresh, mini look for day, I’d only wear flats. Try Gap and Principles for classic styles that you can dress up year after year and which won’t date.
GET SHIRTY
Dress, Hennes; belt, Sport Max; bangle, Topshop; clutch, Hennes; sandals, Gap.
THE FLORAL DRESS
Perfect for real romantics
A few years ago I didn’t have any floral dresses in my wardrobe. Now they are a big theme in the designer collections every spring and summer, and now I’ve got quite a few! And I must say, I do think all these pretty pinks, purples and citrus shades that you see on the catwalks always look so Boho and lovely. But it’s with the softer, smaller, spriggy tea-dress styles that I could easily get into ‘nan-dress’ territory, so I have to be careful with the dress shape I choose. I’d probably go for bigger, more graphic prints, like a Marc by Marc Jacobs white mini-shift with giant flowers on it. Gucci have also done some good flower designs, and Temperley London always do something a little different with floral prints that I like, too. The Balenciaga one that I wore for the races was quite a bold look and I felt great in it.
Real Style Note
Floral dresses need a bit more edginess to stop them looking the wrong side of old-fashioned. Some people like to wear them with leggings and flats.
Most of the high-street stores do floral dresses every spring. Oasis are particularly good as they do some nice strapless ones with bold prints that have a more stylish and less frumpy look.
You can find some pretty vintage dresses if you look around charity shops – it only takes a wide belt to make them look fresh and modern.
Most dresses look great when worn with wedges and slingbacks – but I’d steer clear of black shoes with summer styles as they’ll look too heavy against light colours and floral prints.
Getting the fit right
Mini-shifts with bold prints are a great look for anyone with good legs. The ones I’ve worn even felt fine with my shorter legs. If you’re tall, you can get away with longer, floaty styles. But if you’re curvy or short, traditional tea-dress shapes – buttoned up, in at the waist and out at the hip – might make you look a bit like a dinner lady. Just don’t add overalls!
Fitting the floral dress into your style
Wearing tea dresses can be