Sunday 21 June 2009

Winners, losers and "best in class" - Ascot '09

Ascot Ladies Day proved an interesting "smorgasbord of style" this year. I'm not going to stun you with any revolutionary insights but I do want to re-iterate some classic truths that should be ignored at your peril!:

1. Less is most definitely more. Hint at what lies beneath but don't put your goods out on display...especially not all at once.
2. Quality, quality, quality. The most memorable and stunning women wore simple but exquisite shift dresses topped with summer coats. The shoes and handbags allowed them to be a little more daring.
3. Step away from the fake tan - super model Erin O'Connor had porcelain white skin. She added a flash of red lipstick to prove that pale can be very interesting.
4. Start with the hat - as eye catching as you like but with beautifully tailored simplicity below. Don't just plonk one on as an afterthought.
5. Clever colour combinations stole the show in a sea of uninspiring black and white. I loved the pairings of teal with gold; purple with turquoise, and plum with magenta.

It really did bring home to me the importance of spending more on decent pieces that I never tire of wearing.