'Dress down' with style
Dressing down is sometimes the hardest dress code of all. Alyson Walsh reveals how to get it right...
If, unlike 'the Dude' in The Big Lebowski, 'casualness' does not run deep, then relaxed dressing may cause a few problems in the wardrobe department. The blurring of dress codes has led to a shift away from formal dressing towards a softer more relaxed look. We're living in a more casual society, where even the most corporate environments consider smart/casual acceptable and of course jeans are often a uniform of choice for all ages.
'Dressing for different occasions is less rigidly defined,' says a spokesperson for Gap 'Customers like to mix casual and smarter pieces.' Whether this means wearing vintage with high street, or designer with denim, the key to casual chic is to appear pulled-together, without looking like you've had to work at it - a look epitomised by the likes of Yasmin le Bon, Gwyneth Paltrow and one of our favourite style icons, Jane Birkin.
Get the look
Good daywear will give you lots of stylish alternatives. So, to achieve casualness rather than casual-mess, there are four things to consider; shops, shape, colour and detail...
Shops
Rule number 1: set time aside to do this properly. Unless you're married to a footballer, shopping is probably not a hobby that takes up too much time, but it really is worth making a date in the diary and doing it properly. Rule number 2: go with a friend whose advice you can trust, we said TRUST, and rule number 3: always try things on. Never rely on hanger appeal. To save time, find four retailers whose clothes work for you - our current favourites are:
Comptoir de Cotonniers
Established in Paris in 1995, this laid-back designer label is the epitome of French chic. The company ethos is to produce 'wearable designer clothes' so that women can 'express their own individual identity and personality, without looking like clones.' Hear, hear! And now with seven shops in London there's no need to hop onto Eurostar to snaffle a French-fix. Unfortunately, on-line shopping isn't available just yet, but watch this space, we'll let you know as soon as it is.
Image: cardigan, £90 and trousers, £137, both 36-44, leather ankle boots, £210 and leather envelope bag, £116 all Comptoir des Cotonniers 020 7792 9580
Gap
Gap now offer a completely separate European collection, available in the UK and France, in response to the demand for more directional fashion. 'European customers have a greater appetite for trends, even within the parameters of casualwear ' confirms a spokesperson, 'the aim is to produce collections that reflect Gap's brand of casual cool.' Look out for trouser styles 'borrowed from the boys', fabulous accessories and, of course, a huge selection of super-stylish denim.
Jaeger
Jaeger has gone from strength to strength since Belinda Earle moved on up the high street (from Debenhams) to become chief executive, in 2004. The classic label has successfully revamped its image without alienating core customers, and continues to focus on quality, fit and detail. There are now three different collections; Jaeger London, with a younger more fashion-forward feel, Jaeger Black a luxurious high-end range and Jaeger Collection a fine selection of upgraded classics.
Reiss
Reiss started life as a menswear label, successfully moving into the womenswear market at the start of the millennium. Their basic concept is to 'bridge the gap between multiple retailers and designer brands' - which means good design at affordable prices and we can't argue with that. Our favourite items include well-cut trousers, understated jersey tops and super-chic coats. With 50 stores nationwide, several others spread across the globe (including a flagship store in New York) and an online shop, world domination is in sight.
Shape
Stick to simple shapes - we know, we've said this a thousand times, and it sounds really boring, but it works! We're talking about style, not fashion. As Edith Sitwell said, 'Why not be one's self? That is the whole secret of a successful appearance. If one is a greyhound, why try to look like a Pekingnese?' So, no need to buy into every passing trend, just stick to elegant basics and let accessories/lipstick/nail varnish add pizzazz.With a black pullover and ten rows of pearls, Chanel revolutionized fashion
Colour
'With a black pullover and ten rows of pearls, Chanel revolutionized fashion.' (Christian Dior) With a fuschia pink dress and fuschia pink handbag, Victoria Beckham made 'Coming to America'. So the moral of this little story is...neutral colours look classic and chic, but too much colour can look, well, too much. Just a little splash will brighten up any outfit, but in the grand-colour-scheme-of-things, less is more. We think we've made our point
Detail
Now, this may sound obvious but it's important to look properly at what you're buying - as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy star Carson Cressley says, 'Never underestimate the power of details.'
To start, check the fabric content. Natural fibres are best; cashmere, silk, linen, but a mix - cotton and Lycra, for example - can be more durable and more comfortable. Look out for dresses and jackets with interesting sleeve shapes, and try trousers with a side zip, the off-centre fastening draws attention away from the tummy. Textured or patterned/printed fabrics can have amazing camouflage properties that disguise lumps and bumps, so don't be afraid to experiment.
