Diana Mather

Diana Mather

Founder, Public Image

www.publicimage.co.uk

How to be a Downton lady

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

1.  Domestic staff are hard to find so treat them with respect, but keep the relationship between employee and employer clear.  Your nanny or au pair, for instance, may live as part of the family, but they work for you, so give them a clear idea of what you expect from them.

2.  Ladies can wear hats indoors until 6pm.  Unlike men who have to remove them when indoors (at all times), a woman’s hat is part of the outfit and not an accessory.

3. Ladies never leave the dining table during a meal as it means the gentlemen have to rise from their seats, which disrupts everybody, so make sure you go to the loo before you go to the dining room!

4. When visiting your friends’ estates, it is good form to leave a tip for the maid who cleans your bedroom.  £5 per day should suffice, or ask your host how much you should leave.

5. Many dinners at Downton are White Tie affairs, although in recent times Black Tie has been creeping in.  When White Tie is the order of the evening, long gloves and jewels should be worn.

6. The hallmark of a true gentleman is that he knows how to tie a bow tie, so ladies, make sure your sons start to learn early!

7. After dinner the ladies repair to the drawing room, so when your hostess says something like “ladies, shall we?” don’t linger at dining table, even if you are having the most fascinating conversation.

8. Some country houses can be a little chilly, so some warm underwear can make the evenings more comfortable!

9. When invited with your husband to go shooting, make sure you take some warm country clothes and suitable boots if you are to join the gentlemen for lunch.

10. ‘How do you do’ is still the correct greeting when meeting someone new.  This is a not a question, so the answer is also ‘How do you do’.

11. Think about the clothes you will need for a weekend away so that you don’t take too many suitcases.  You should not look as though you are coming to stay for a month!

12. Today, when you are asked to stay for a country weekend your hostess says, “we dress”, it means that they wear Black Tie for dinner.  This means you will need to ask your maid to pack at least two evening dresses. It is also as well to take something smart to wear on Sunday if you are taken to church.

Coming soon: William Hanson’s guide on how to be a Downton gentleman!

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Carol Spenser

Carol Spenser

Style Consultant & Journalist

www.styledirections.com

Wallis Simpson Style – Get the Look!

Friday, February 10th, 2012

This month sees the launch of Madonna’s directorial debut, W.E. – a film that follows the scandalous love affair between the King and the divorced American socialite known as ‘that woman’.

Wallis Simpson may have made headlines for her relationship causing the King to abdicate, but she was also known for her incredible sense of style and was certainly a celebrated fashion icon of the 1930s and beyond. Wallis was always impeccably dressed and,  as one of the first clients of Christian Dior, wore the very latest fashions. Images of her continue to inspire and fascinate lovers of heritage fashion across the globe.

Heritage and vintage-inspired fashion website, www.20thcenturyfoxy.com, has put together a collection of 1930s dresses inspired by Wallis Simpson. The 1930s was a difficult era in history marked by the great depression and austerity. Fashions during this period are fascinating in that they mark the duality between austerity and sensuality.  As the depression began to affect the public, a conservative approach to fashion displaced the flippant fashions of the 20s. Hems became lower, necklines became higher and waistlines returned to their natural place, marking the return of a more ‘womanly’ figure. But eveningwear saw daring bare backs and contour-hugging bias cuts in sensual flowing fabrics.

Wallis Simpson style

PRETTY IN PINK – As well as the 1930’s trademark features of high neckline and low hemline, this dress also has puff-sleeves to broaden the shoulders and make the hips appear even slimmer. The STREAMLINE shape gives a gradually curved silhouette.

SWING OUT SISTER – These iconic and hugely feminine ‘swing’ trousers have been painstakingly researched and are adapted from an original 1930s pattern featuring vintage-style side buttons and deep turn-ups. This CINCHEDIN high-waisted style will really show off a slim waistline.

TIME FOR TEA – A polka-dot tea-dress is a real 1930’s Must-Have for daytime wear. This LOOSELINE style with a low neckline and a drapey empire-line shape will suit a fuller figure, making the neck appear longer and slimmer while skimming over fuller hips and tum.

DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT THEM – on leaving the house, 1930’s woman was never without a hat, gloves and, whatever her colouring, ruby red lips and rosey, rouged cheeks!

ALL PICTURES SUPPLIED BY PRSHOTS.COM

 

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Carol Spenser

Carol Spenser

Style Consultant & Journalist

www.styledirections.com

Fashion Resolutions for 2012

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

It’s that time of year again when we all make our New Year Resolutions.  You may plan to start a new diet, enrol at an evening class, embark on an exercise DVD or revamp your image. Some resolutions are easy to initiate – buying an exercise DVD or signing up for a new class – but where on earth do you start on the mammoth task of re-organising your chaotic wardrobe and revamping your look?

Don’t despair, Style Directions has listed all the resolutions you need to follow to guarantee that 2012 will definitely be the beginning of a ‘Stylish New You’ with that all-important, organised wardrobe.

DE-CLUTTER YOUR LIFE

Yes, you can have too many clothes – especially if there is so much crammed in your wardrobe that you can’t see what you’ve got and you never wear half of it anyway.  Try some wardrobe surgery – take all the clothes out of your wardrobe/drawers and only put them back if they are:

  • A good fit – the size on the label doesn’t matter!
  • Current or classic style – not ‘old fashioned’
  • Worn fairly regularly – over last 2/3 years
  • Flattering – to both your shape and colouring

If anything doesn’t fit, is worn-out, old-fashioned, or has not been worn for two to three years, be ruthless and bag it up for the charity shop! If you find this difficult to do alone, employ the services of a trained Style Consultant who can also help determine your best styles and colours.

INVEST IN THE CLASSICS

Make sure your wardrobe has the essential items that suit all ages and lifestyles and cover all occasions.  The following garments should be the best quality you can afford to last a long time and, therefore, be great purchases in the current Winter Sales.

  • Little Black Dress – the simpler the better to accessorize
  • Cotton Knitwear – can be worn in all seasons
  • Coat/Raincoat – neutral colours are best
  • Relaxed Tailoring – trousers, jackets and skirts to suit your shape
  • Versatile Tops – plain or patterned to suit your colouring

 

 

BUY FASHION UPDATES

Just as vital as the classics, are each season’s ‘Must Have’ garments and accessories to update your look. These can be fun and inexpensive. If you are on a New Year diet, treat yourself to buying just accessories until you reach your target weight – use them as rewards!  Accessories also make great bargains in the winter sales.

GARMENTS
Print Dress – 40’s Tea Dress styles are flattering
Fur Gilet – a great ‘layering’ piece
Cape/Wrap – suits all shapes and size
Long Cardigan – belted or not to suit your shape
Hooded Parka – good for all seasons

ACCESSORIES
Statement Necklace – the bigger the better
Large Cuff-Bracelets – stack them in multiples for best effect
Tie-Front Shoes – with opaque or woollen tights
Wedge-Heeled Boots – more stable than heels
Anything Leopard Print – always in fashion!

CONSIDER VERSATILITY

Most women wear 20% of their wardrobe, 80% of the time. So, always buy items which suit your lifestyle and will get lots of wear – the real cost of an outfit is it’s price divided by the amount of times you wear it! An expensive dress worn only twice is a waste of money.  Remember the Style Directions Rule of Three:

Can is be worn in three different seasons?

Will it go with three other garments you already own?

Can it be worn in three different ways by accessorising?

FLATTER YOUR ASSETS

Resolve only to wear outfits that make the most of your good points and draw attention away from your not-so-good. For example, if you’re thick-waisted, don’t tuck in tops or wear belts. To highlight good legs, wear the new knee-length skirts and ankle-strap shoes. To show-off a good cleavage, wear lowish necklines and eye-catching necklaces. Balance large hips with epaulette jackets or puff sleeves. If you can’t be objective about your body, take Style Directions’ SHAPE TEST to find your ideal Outfit Shape – this can be money well-spent as it saves you a fortune in costly shopping ‘mistakes’.

ORGANISE YOUR WARDROBE

Re-organise how you hang the items in your wardrobe. If you buy a suit and hang it on its own together with the top you bought with it, the chances are that you’ll get less wear out of all three garments, Instead, hang your clothes in groups; all jackets together, all skirts together, trousers together etc. If you choose a different jacket, bottom and top each morning, you’ll be amazed at the range of new outfits you simply didn’t realise you had. Keep your accessories on display – not tucked away in drawers – to make sure you use them to change the look of your outfits on a regular basis. Here’s to a Stylish New You in 2012!

To find your ideal Outfit Shape or book a Personal Consultation with Lucy Garrett, go to www.styledirections.com

All fashion pictures supplied by kind permission of PRSHOTS.COM

 

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Carol Spenser

Carol Spenser

Style Consultant & Journalist

www.styledirections.com

Christmas alternatives to the LBD

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

With all the doom and gloom of the current credit-crunch still hanging in the air, we are all in desperate need of cheering-up as the Christmas period approaches. What better way to spread a little happiness than by donning a colourful party frock, some eye-catching jewellery and, of course, a pair of killer heels.  Yes, the Little Black Dress (LBD) is a safe option, but fashion is tempting us this season with an array of gorgeous colours – just make sure you choose the best shade for your colouring.

FEELING BLUE
Not a colour normally associated with Christmas, blue is a surprisingly hot favourite in the shops this season. So, if pink doesn’t tickle your fancy, then blue could be your more sophisticated alternative. Whether you’re blonde, brunette, redheaded or grey, blue is a much safer option – particularly when it veers towards navy or teal.  An empire-style dress, which falls gently from beneath the bustline, suits most figure-shapes from the ultra-slim to the fuller-figured – although the latter is advised to avoid shiny fabrics and opt for more slimming, matt finishes such as crepe, lace or chiffon.

Straight up & Stream line dresses

GLAMOUROUS GOLD
For those who are looking for a change from black, but don’t want the ultra-bright look, there are lots of warm, rich shades to choose from, such as gold copper and rust. As these shades are quite close to a ‘neutral’ colour they suit most colourings – with the exception of cool, grey-haired colouring which suits silvery fabrics and decoration much better.  These sumptuous colours are also great for evening jackets and coats, often in luxurious fabrics such as fur or beaded/sequined fabrics. These garments are a great investment as they will serve you well for many years to come. Don’t ruin your entrance to a party by wearing an old coat or raincoat over your sensational frock – a gorgeous evening coat or jacket will always make a wonderful first impression!

TICKLED PINK
Nothing guarantees to turn more heads than fuschia pink when the rest of the room is drowning in black. Why not opt this season for a girly statement in glorious pink? There are lots of pink, prom-style dresses in the stores at the moment which look fantastic teamed with black peep-toe shoes and long black evening gloves for a retro, 50’s look. If you prefer something more modern (and also want to spend less cash), why not invest in a pink, satin top and team it with slim-leg, black pants and high heels for a very on-trend look. Pink is fabulous for blondes or brunettes but redheads beware!

SIMPLY RED
And, finally, what else will get pulses racing other than the ‘Lady in Red’ look.  Brunettes look fabulous in head-to-toe in red but if you have lighter colouring and don’t want to feel ‘overpowered’, simply add dashes of red to your existing LBD – red shoes, a red necklace or red bag.  But do limit your ‘touches of red’ to just two areas – any more than that can look too ‘matchy-matchy’. In fact, just a light red lipstick (which suits all colourings) can be one of your chosen accessories too – just don’t stand too close to the mistletoe!

If you’re not sure of your perfect ‘Outfit Shape’ this Christmas then go to www.styledirections.com and take our quick and simple test.

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Alexandra Messervy

Alexandra Messervy

Founder, The English Manner

www.theenglishmanner.com

Oh We Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

Holiday time is here again and it is time to pick up the bucket and spade, pack up the suitcases with clothes that won’t be worn, and load up the car to the gills… a stressful time at best, compounded by a typical summer of downpours, sea mist and cool winds.

But, this summer so far has shown that there is a glimmer of hope and temperatures have been warmer and sunnier than the last few years at least.  My family and I have just returned from the delightful Devon coastal town of ‘Chelsea on Sea’ aka Salcombe, and it struck us that a word on the etiquette of English travel might be topical.

Salcombe Panorama

The Englishman Abroad is easily spotted – very pale skin with patches caught by the sun after months of cashmere cover-ups – a battered straw panama hat and trousers somewhere just below the knee which can make the wearer look like a sack of potatoes. As one would expect in Salcombe, there were degrees of Jack Wills (its original home town) preppy chic; Abercombie & Fitch copy-cat versions and a degree of the White Stuff surf brigade, though on the wrong coast.  Not just for the teens, there were plenty of parents sporting the same looks, with additional gravitas added by Henry Lloyd and the occasional spotting of some Ralph Lauren here and there.  All this added up to a glorious technicolour of fairly smart and expensive gear, entirely in keeping with the now astronomical prices being charged for a sandwich and a latte (£8.50 for a cheese sandwich in one popular water-view pub!).

What was apparent, thankfully, was a complete lack of the popular recent look of men of certain post-teenage years wearing a singlet vest with knee length shorts – not a good look, even in the Caribbean.  We were pleased to note that not only was the trend absent, but the unthinking, rude and uncaring behaviour which seems to accompany this fashion was also absent.  People queued politely and in line for the ferries to and from East Portlemouth and South Sands; there was no pushing in the ice cream melee and guests chatted jovially at the bars.  What a marked contrast to Oxford Street yesterday in the sweltering heat, when so many tourists (more than 70% of which appeared to be European) jostled, shoved and on occasion just barged through the throng.  Doors shut in faces, hot sweaty bodies dressed more for the beach at Blackpool than one of central London’s premier shopping areas, and a great deal of what our friends in the USA term ‘jaywalking’.

Not everyone has the ability, financial or otherwise to make it to Salcombe, Rock or Cap Ferrat this year, but wherever one’s holiday and business travels take you to, do remember some common courtesy and basic good manners.  Be polite, be friendly, be patient and dress for the occasion.  And take an umbrella!

Alexandra Messervy
Founder, The English Manner

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The English Manner has some wonderful English made umbrellas and will shortly have a range of travel products available for our travellers.  Do get in touch for details, and in the meantime we are pleased to recommend some ‘must haves’ for travel this year.

Some of our best loved travel essentials include ‘Travel Pak’; a comprehensive set of anti-bacterial gel, wipes, tissues, body wash and tissues, with a fantastic added bonus of disposable loo seat covers.  Available from Amazon at around £16 rrp, and some good chemists.  We also recommend a failsafe pashmina in a neutral colour, our favourites are from Pure Cashmere and come in a range of colours with some glorious pastels and hotter shades for cooler nights.  Check out a good eye mask and ear plugs for air travel, and arm yourself with an indulgent set of bath time essentials from Jo Malone – we love the lime and basil shampoo and the grapefruit fragrance.  For cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing, look no further than the mini La Prairie set, which comes complete with a hanging wash-bag and make up pouch, perfect for any location.

For those heading to South Devon, check out supper at Dick & Wills, a new waterside brasserie in Salcombe with a fabulous view.  Not cheap, but the best food we ate during our recent stay; and a latte at the Wardroom with or after breakfast is a treat – cheerful fast service, nicely presented home cooked food and a full frontal view.  Further afield, try the Oyster Shack at Bigbury-on-Sea and the Sloop Inn at Bantham, just beside a brilliant beach.

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