Game. Set. Match.

Another glorious day, another sporting fixture, another excuse to ogle the honed, toned and physically well-coordinated. Yes it’s Wimbledon – you’ll have to forgive me for keeping quiet on the World Cup front: static generating nylon nasties have absolutely no role in my wardrobe whatsoever (although kudos deservingly goes to Paraguay for their knockout  homage to Pippi Longstocking).

Tennis on the other hand serves up a wealth of classically chic sportif separates for the discerning fashionista (not to mention the associated accessory boom – shin pads? No thank you….chic cream fingerless leather gloves…? Well, go on then).

Think refined elegance and channel Gaultier’s take on the trend for Hermès: virginal pleating, cable knits and effortlessly stylish palazzo pants. Accessorize court-side with a visor, sweat bands and that all important ivory Birkin…

For the ultimate in sports-casual sophistication embrace long-line, ankle-skimming maxis to femme-up those ubiquitous masculine shirt shapes.

FYI: Sweat (as if a Hermès girl would – could?) and rackets are an accessory too far…leave the rackets to the runways and the sweat to the pros: the key is to keep this look sleek, fresh and well away from the dreaded realm of fancy dress faux pas-dom.

Photographs courtesy of Style.com

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Look du Jour: Frock Fantasy

I’m in the mood for some pretty, powder-pink, airy-fairy, cute-as-a-button, princess frock frivolity. Give me fantasy, daydreams and a romp through the wilderness with a knight in super sharp Armani paired with Grenson brogues wielding anything but a man bag…sigh. Otherworldly escapism with a side order of whimsy please – and hold the fainting (damsel in distress? Me thinks not).

Back to the outfit – a minxy thigh-skimmer of a hemline, peep-toe neutral wedges and socks and nailing the hot as hell asymmetric trend (look to 3.1 Phillip Lim and RM by Roland Mouret for references) this look couldn’t be more now. Details wise, the chic frayed edging of the under-shorts is VERY Prada’s s/s 2010 distressed graphic silks; deconstruction contrasted to perfection with the Rodarte-esque romance of that diaphanous one-sleeve wonder.

Now, you’ll have to excuse me…I’ve a wilderness to get back to…

Photograph/ Styling by Frida Johnson: Blog

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Look du Jour: Dizzy with the Dame

Forties slick chick … suave, sophisticated and dressed to the nines in this season’s neutrals and a reworked trench (with ruffles no less)…

Photograph by Coury C.

…trend-ticking madness, and I do love those Farylrobin shoes, retrolicious!

Nude: barefaced chic is this season’s must-have neutral

Rose-bud blush, peach, buff, ecru, biscuit, beige: be it shirts, shorts, shoes, bags – or anything else you can throw-on, slip-into or drape yourself in – nude is the buzz-word for spring. Seen everywhere, from flushed pinks at Fendi and Luella to soft creams and taupe at Isabel Marant and Chloe, even nails have been having a nude moment.

If, like the models over at Isabel Marant, you are lucky enough to come with a glowing tan as standard, rejoice! The neutral palette is your sartorial oyster – go forth, go beige, go greige, go and claim your place in the halls of new-nude infamy.

For those (like me) who have been blessed instead with a fairer complexion (pale and interesting is my preferred epithet) nude becomes slightly more tricky – but not impossible…and totally worth it!) Think English-rose or peaches and cream and head for the warmer end of the nude/neutral spectrum to avoid looking washed out.

How to wear?

A big feature in all the major s/s trends, work nudes with leather (tan works a treat for a neat daytime look), try statement black shoe-boots a la D&G for a tougher finish, or slip into utility with slouchy structure and neutral layers (as seen at Chloe). Or take on the trend in nude footwear – totally now and gives the illusion of longer legs (could you really ask for more?)

Tip: Layers and drapes are also ideal for disguising any pesky problem areas, they also make sheers less daunting (and takes them from X-rated bedroom-wear to a more street-friendly PG).

Here are a few of my favourite ‘high street nudes’…

Topshop

Mango

New Look