Shop the Trend: Prim and Proper
20-09-2013
Luckily for you, we’ve put together a definitive guide so you know what to look out for when shopping for prim and proper pieces.
Long Line LengthsWhen it comes to your lower half, trousers and miniskirts are most certainly not included in this trend’s trajectory. Long line lengths are what you should be focusing on if you want to ooze elegance and ladylike sophistication, so stick with midi skirts that sit below the knee. There’s lots of room to play around with shapes and styles here, so whether you go for a streamlined pencil skirt or a ‘50s prom throwback is up to you.
Strong Silhouettes
The shapes and silhouettes of the flattering Fifties are being revived with this new trend. Rather than the harsh, angular silhouettes we saw with the androgynous look, this time around it’s all about softening those shapes to create an elegant, womanly frame. You should be on the lookout for a few versatile skinny belts for cinching in waistlines; they’re the key accessory to this look. The conservative approach to long line skirts was counteracted on the catwalks by off the shoulder shapes on top to achieve a demure, elegant look. Combine the two and you’ll instantly have the ladylike look down to a tee.
Binary Beauty
When it comes to make-up, you have two options with this trend. At autumn/winter 2013 fashion weeks, the likes of Lanvin, Jonathan Saunders and Michael Kors went heavy on the eyes with dark, smudgy eyeliner and smoky black eyeshadow paired with a simple, pale nude lip. Christian Dior, Nina Ricci and Bottega Veneta opted for a classic, bold red lip with very minimal eye-makeup and chiselled cheekbones. Prada went for a laidback approach to beauty, with subtle stained lips and wet-look hair, for a make-up look that contrasted with the elegance of the models’ clothes.
All these looks can easily be recreated using high-street make-up brands, so you don’t have to spend a fortune on high-end cosmetics. If you’re on a budget, stick to a bold red lipstick and skip the heavy eyes for a speedy, simple approach to the trend.
And Finally…
The finishing touches to the ladylike look should include a well structured handbag and very minimal fine jewellery. When it comes to footwear, you can’t go wrong with a simple court shoe, and nothing epitomises 1950s sophistication quite like a mid-heeled, patent pair. For even more inspiration, or just to help you visualise how this trend might look when each individual element is put together, check out this gallery from Vogue.
Image from Jonathan Saunders AW13
