What Do Clothes Mean?...

...yes, it takes a while, this one!

Is it:

• a secret code (worthy of wartime espionage)?
• a vulgar Consumers attempt to buy their way into Society? 
• a method of keeping the body warm?
• A method of self-expression?
• All of the above
• or none? 

My life, since I last spoke to you, has been a series of parties, dinners (both private and fashion), a fashion show Gala, lunches and meetings. My private life - gym, shopping and new car-teething trouble aside, I (as you should know by now anyway) like to see what is being worn out there, and I've seen some very interesting "statements". Nothing outlandish, but definitely pattens of dress emerging. At a charity cocktail for my social circle I noticed that almost all the women wore the most amazing shoes. Bright, highly-decorated, highly coloured, strapped - it was truly a sight to see. And this is where it's interesting. As many of these women were not model-sized, this was a deflective ruse for a plainish body garment so that the eye would be drawn to the feet.
Now, at the fashion Gala, where the women were a lot thinner, it seemed the main level of visibility was on the body. Still a little black, but a very pretty, long-sleeved full-length dress and on one Fashionista, and a long, floral skirt and white shirt combo on another. Also a big recurring theme - the bright, cocoon evening coat. Don't get me wrong - I like it, and have tried it on a couple of times, but the jury is still out, for me in that garment. I think my favourite look of the last couple of weeks was also a long-sleeved, full length flower-print YSL from last year on a very, very fashion-serious woman (this garment is my latest love actually). I liked this look when it first came out, but completely forgot about it. Go find one now!

But back to the title. What did wearing a vintage dress mean? I'm too cool to care? My Fashion Radar is so highly tuned that this look is right now, and wasn't so much when it first came out. Which, judging by the Fashionista at the Gala, it is. So, on the cool factor, are these women at the top of the list? And that's where what we wear (at this level) certainly matters. You have to be very clever (this one is for me...) and thin. I wear clothes because I like them or because I fit into them. And as you know, a big night out with Vodka, Champagne, or Wine definitely limits my choices. Whereas if I'm very good I can wear anything. Which obviously, I prefer.

My passion for all things pink doesn't seem to be waning. I saw in the pre-Fall collections a great winter pink skirt (maybe...)

This could be an entire Blog, but I'm going to say something "off-piste". It appears to me that I am becoming, and am lucky to be surrounded by, women who I can only describe as over-achievers. And this is a Very Good Thing. We are a select band of women who don't play Bridge or go to coffee mornings (not that there's anything wrong with that). We create a world full of culture and light that others may enjoy and possibly learn from. I am so proud of myself and of the friends of mine who have pioneered this level of achievement. For us, less is not more. More is definitely more. And the more the better!

Happy Dressing!