I’ve got friends who are serious contenders for the most fashionable lists: Clothing imported from Europe, found in the depths of the internet’s cool bin and with the self-confidence to rock it all looking like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Surprisingly, one of these friends texted me the other day with a fashion dilemma that even super-stylish she was unprepared for. A summer wedding invitation for an ex-boyfriend who was marrying a legitimate fashion designer. The guest list was sure to be swanky and more horrifying – full of fashionistas. What does one wear to an event full of women who have the latest bags, the shoes in the magazines and the dresses which will be shown on runways of the future? In a jungle full of fashion lions, how does a gazelle survive?
Your first reaction might be to run to your nearest high-end store and buyout the newest collections. Trust me, this will do no more than leave you with massive credit card bills and regret. The uber-fashionista can suss out the fact that every item you’ll be wearing is brand new and not edited into a look like hers. This is also the surest way to show a lack of confidence in yourself and that is where true style comes from – having confidence in the way you look.
I’ve discovered the hard way that there are three rules to surviving this type of event and I’m going to share them with you.
You simply can not outdress a trend-setting fashionista by going to the store and picking up a dress in the latest colour or cut. These women are already on to the next trend and your outfit will look hopelessly outdated even though it just came off the rack. I survive these things by having cultivated a collection of vintage, timeless looks that I can both wear and repeat over and over for years. Picking timeless pieces means they bypass trends. I’ve started collecting timeless designer pieces through vintage shops or consignment stores to have at the ready when needed. I buy them, have them altered and cleaned and then they are timeless, personalized, fits-me-like-a-million bucks pieces. Also – if you’re really sleeved out by vintage clothes and just can’t get past it, check out some brands known for replicating the vintage look, like Milly. If you’re unsure of what to look for, here are a few of our favourite timeless vintage looks from our Pinterest board.
Follow Refined Side’s board Vintage Love on Pinterest.
Buy an exquisitely plain designer handbag (think Salvatore Ferragamo) in a solid colour (think brown, black, camel) and wear it for years to come. Will cost you some money at the outlay, but buying a bag with timeless lines will enable you to use it over and over again and the cost-per-wear will be much lower than you think!
Perhaps the old adage of looking in the mirror before leaving and taking one thing off will serve well – don’t try and outdo a diva with oodles of diamonds or draping yourself in pearls. The best way to look classy and timeless is to not flaunt huge jewels (unless you can back it up by having them be Harry Winstons). Pick some subtle earrings, a classic necklace and plain bracelets or jewels. Or, go all out in one and exclude the others. Just don’t try to camouflage your insecurities with piles of jewels.
So there are my survival rules. It’s why you may one day see me in my vintage Oscar De La Renta ball gown coupled with my Louis Vuitton keepall and diamond studded earrings.