Trends And Tribulations: July 2010

I first came into contact with Stella McCartney some time last year when she caught my attention on some red carpet in this amazing sketch print floral shift. What attracted me to this dress in particular was the strength of its silhouette. It is not often you see a dress with such a defined outline and confident structure on the red carpet. This dress almost has the impact of a 'power-dress', a tailored feel in its shape and cut, and yet manages to entertain an elegance, perhaps even more gentle that that of a floor length gown. Perhaps it is the floral patterning, careful use of colour or detailing such as the bow cinch waist, which offer this femininity, yet there is something intriguingly female in this trademark structure, a careful softness to its edges, and it is this which excites me. Aside from her distinctive collections and the simple fact that she is a ridiculously beautiful woman, another thing I like about her as a designer is the fact that if you ever spot her on a red carpet or at a photographed event, she is always wearing HER OWN DESIGNS. The reason this pleases me is because I see this as her practising what she tries to preech. I believe her message is that a woman's wardrobe can both make a statement and be elegant and feminine at the same time, and by wearing her own designs she is proving that unlike a lot of catwalk fashion, her clothes are clothes, her pieces are WEARABLE and for real women as well as AMAZINNNNG. In my next post are three of my favourite pieces by Stella McCartney, I don't have a huge knowledge of her back catalogue or anything like that, these are just three designs which have come across over the past year and saved in my little folder of favourites because i thought they were so beautiful. It is really easy to recognise the Stella McCartney obsession with providing structure and silhouette in all three pieces. (The pink jumpsuit is my favourite.)

As part of net-a-porter.com's 10th anniversary celibrations the website launched a competition inviting shoppers to show off their favourite item of clothing and describe why this piece best represented not only their wardrobe but their own personal style. Fans of the net-a-porter facebook page were encouraged to post a photograph of themselves wearing their chosen garment/garments, which editors of the site then narrowed down to their top ten most 'iconic' looks. Facebookers were then asked to 'like' their favourite outfit, resulting in the following top five finalists:

5th place, Abi

'I love this particular outfit for many reasons. First of all I really love how striking the mac is, with its bold lines against the transparant plastic. I always feel great in it especially when I go shopping, as people always comment on how great it looks. This, combined with the grey jeans and heels never fails to make me feel confident.'

4th place, Sara

'Why this outfit? I'm usually a very colourful girl and black is actually quite a rare colour in my wardrobe, but I was amazed how much I loved this black and white outfit once I put it on, and I still like to look back at this shot and remember the 'I look good today' feeling! The dress is now so well worn that I may have to let it go soon, but one day I'll hopefully find the perfect look-a-like so I can run around in a similar outfit in the future.'

3rd place, Cindy Ko

'This is my favourite outfit as it is very classic and simple, yet still glamorous.'

2nd place, Julia

'Even though it's super simple, it represents me perfectly. I'm wearing a mens shirt by Hugo Boss - I wear a white shirt everday, be it a casual or elegant occasion - a simple black Margiela skirt, and Bally shoes. I love this clutch by Stella McCartney, she's my favourite designer, and the vintage Rolex watch was a gift from my Dad, so its very emotionally loaded aswell.'

1st place, Zsofia

'Here is my favourite outfit - April 77 trousers, Whistles top, Miu Miu bag, Chan Luu bracelet, Topshop jacket, second-hand belt, Topshop necklace and Kurt Geiger shoes. I love it because I turned eighteen this year and this outfit makes me feel as grown up as I am! Both Topshop pieces are great, the jacket reminiscent of Isabel Marant and the necklace Lanvin. I saved up for the Miu Miu bag and it really was the best investment as I wear it with everything.'

What really interested me was the negative reaction of facebookers toward the editor's selection:

'I felt for the most part that these outfits were bland, save for one who i didn't feel like voting for...they were so plain with lack of personal style. I am really disappointed with the finalists.'

'All of these outfits are so ordinary, nothing stands out to me.'

'I also expected more daring, less generic outfits. They are all quite 'correct' but not exactly exciting.'

Personally, I could not disagree more. I believe each outfit to show individual style, alongside timeless trends. Each outfit is put together because each garment compliments or contrasts beautifully but also, as the comments would suggest, because the wearer loves each item to pieces, portraying a sense of self. Each outfit could not be selected and combined more differently, even if the colour pallet is similar across the board. I would certainly say that each outfit is quite 'safe' or assembled quite 'correctly' as one lady remarks, but surely this is the reason they are being presented to us. 'Iconic' does not have to equal outlandish, each outfit is eye catching yet not because the pieces clash or wouldn't normally be combined in such a way. I am bored of the samey Topshop lead 'individuality' which parades our city streets and 'style' hunting blogs, I would much rather be inspired by an outfit truely different in its origin and the story which it tells, an outfit combined personally inspired by personality not celebrity culture or a desire to look a certain way, simply copied from a Topshop manniquin or put together from the 'safety' of high street stores alone.

In terms of the winning outfit, the public chose the most high street orientated of the top ten yes, but they also chose the most truely eclectic. The mix of high street and designer is enviable, and such a contrast makes a classic yet timeless outfit. I love the idea of an outfit centered around classic tailoring yet with such a modern silhouette achieved from the modern cut of the Topshop trouser and Whistles slouch tank, against the classic colouring and detailing of each piece, particularly the jacket. The sharpness of the neck piece layered on the top of the softness of the slouch top add movement to an outfit of otherwise very solid and plain lines. Although the outfit is not my favourite, I do believe it to be the most wearable the most accessible and the least dated of the bunch. I love how each piece can be mixed and matched time and time again, Zsofia has clearly mastered investment shopping, something which i dream about but just CANNOT train myself into, I have been inspired to do so however! Thank you net-a-porter.com, I just wish I could afford to invest in the beautiful little Preen number you keep teasing me with (£504).