THE CHIC LIST: Dressing for yourself and your happiness is the ultimate goal
When deciding what to wear in the morning, do you imagine your day ahead and pick accordingly? Are your clothes based on the mood you wake up in? Do you choose pieces to impress men or other women?
My style is definitely influenced by wherever I am in the world. I wear more denim and tailoring in big cities such as New York, Rome and Paris, and find myself donning wafty blue and yellow kimonos and dresses in vibrant places such as Greece. A white dress is at home in the South of France like no other environment.
As for men, personally I gave up dressing for them years ago. Most never notice any important details about an outfit – unless, perhaps, you show up in a short skirt.
However, I love getting a compliment from another woman on the street – or, even better, an enquiry about where something I’m wearing is from. This never fails to boost my mood.
Jacket, Theory; Top, Massimo Dutti; Skirt, & Other Stories; Sunglasses, YSL and Sandals, Toteme
There’s a great saying that to get where you want to go in life, you have to care less about what other people think. This definitely applies to your clothes. Dressing for yourself – and your happiness – is the ultimate goal, and I’ve found the art of knowing what to wear gets more enjoyable as I get older.
But, as with everything, it requires effort – taking the time to work out which styles suit you – in order to reap the rewards.
Of all my clothes choices, there’s one hue I absolutely have to be in the right mood for: red. When it comes to being noticed, feeling empowered and confident – or at least giving that impression – this statement colour is an excellent go-to.
It’s been a very popular colour trend over the past couple of seasons – and in many ways the red dress has taken over from the LBD at A-list events such as last month’s Cannes Film Festival.
To help you style this big and bold summer colour, here are my key tips.
- Always team red with a white basic, such as this denim midi skirt I’m wearing from & Other Stories. A red top or jacket works wonderfully with white trousers and jeans, too.
- A chilli-red linen waistcoat and trousers co-ord is a popular choice among the style set. Arket, Cos, Massimo Dutti and St Agni offer some good options.
- A red summer dress with white, silver or metallic sandals ticks all the boxes.
- Red shoes or a red bag paired with a monochrome outfit always looks incredibly sleek.
- Red with beige or sand and dark blue denims fit together seamlessly.
Bag, £140, thestrawbasketcompany.com
Haute tote
The Straw Basket Company does what it says on the tin: stylish woven summer bags with elevated details. There’s room for your initials, too. This Provence one is a favourite.
Shirt, £130, libertylondon.com
Buttoned up
This cotton and cashmere shirt by With Nothing Underneath is a terrific basic for chillier summer evenings. Team with white shorts or frayed denims for easy sleek.
Shoes, around £250, aeyde.com
Meet my flat mates
I love a pointy flat at this time of year to wear with cropped trousers and skirts. The benefit of a pointy shoe is that it immediately elongates the leg. These silver ones from Aeyde are just the ticket.
