The Queen Green

I have two watches. One a steel Swatch that belonged to my ex-husband and the other a gold cocktail watch (that doesn't work) that belonged to my mother. I have been known to wear both together with an assortment of other bits - a gold link bracelet, a friendship bracelet that three of my friends wear, and other assorted items. I've never been one to chalish (desire) a fancy Rolex or other watches. Until now that is. Some time ago I admired a vintage gold watch with an Opal face in a dealer’s shop in Burlington Arcade. But that’s not it. The one I'm in love with is a very small “cocktail” watch that I was shown on Wednesday evening in Dior Fine Jewels. With its opalescent face and emerald and diamond bracelet it’s so feminine and a work of art! And yet so “me” all day every day! Well maybe not all the time, but extremely pretty and very anti big, bold and brash! Just like moi!…

Green with envy?

Talking of green - The Queen Green! Yes her coat was the same colour as Kermit the Frog. Was it a strange choice of colour? Well, no not really. You could see her from the Mall and actually probably from Trafalgar Square! (That's mean Francine. But true). Look, I actually liked it and that colour doesn't look bad next to her skin. And it looks lovely with Pearls and Diamonds and one thing (lest we forget) - she is the Queen and can do what she likes. So if you don't like it, tough! And if you speak out against it - isn't that Treason? The Tower awaits!!

Green with envy?

One of my favourite topics... Dinner dressing. To print or not? Ummm, well actually I'm not sure. This week I attended a big Charity dinner at the Dorchester and I wore my black Dior cocktail dress with the full A-Line skirt. With my tan ✅ and my new bright silver shoes ✅ and slightly pink/purple opalescent hair ✅ A winner, I thought. So what were we all wearing? Various block-colour cocktail dresses and then they came… The Gucci, the Erdem, the Preen dresses with the Gucci shoes and everything! Now we all know I love colour, I love a mishmash and I love individuality. But these girls at a serious dinner looked somehow out of place. There was no irony, no humour, no individuality. Somehow this attempt to be au courant had backfired. And that's the problem with print for print’s sake - it can be a disaster! The way it works on the catwalk is with loads of humour and lashings of irony. Not by itself as a statement. Then it just looks like you tried too hard! Sorry, but must try harder next time… Meanwhile, the Black Brigade for summer ’16 may just be the way to go. Yes I said that and no, I'm not drunk, hungover, or ill! Just telling it like it is...

Does sizing matter? Will you only buy an item of clothing if the size in the label is the number you want to see? OK, I'll spell it out for you. Would you buy a pair of jeans if they were a size 26, but not if they were 29? Both fit well but are just different sizes? Me I couldn't care less what size anything is, as long as I like it and it fits. But I think l'm in the minority here. I also think shops that size down their clothes are going to have a problem, as H&M found out when one shopper posted a picture of herself in their largest jeans size (16) and they went nowhere near her. If the shopper, Ruth Clemens, is a normal size 14 as she says (and I have no reason to not to believe her) then why are these jeans so ill-fitting? H&M said their sizing depends on the style, cut and fabric! No - it should only depend on the inches or centimetres measured of the clothing. Get it together H&M and all other retailers who size down!

A size 14 trying on H&M size 16 jeans.

As you know, I bought a Paisley long-sleeved dress from M&S some months ago from a sale rail (size 20) because of the print and had to take it in twice! Let's not let the shops spoil our days by making clothes that don't fit the size properly!

Happy Shopping

F XX

Lust of the Week:
The MPs in the Select committee "interviewing" Sir Phillip Green. Well done for staying calm and resolute!

Which way was the firing squad?