Pretty Woman!

Showing my age here, but I am still a little bit hung up on Julia Robert’s wardrobe in the film Pretty Woman.

If you’re like me the words ‘Polo Dress’ will instantly bring a certain scene to mind:

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If you have never seen Pretty Woman, then I suggest you stop reading now and watch it immediately.

True, the hat and gloves were a bit 1990 (yes, we’re reaching back 25 years here!) but I think that Julia’s look has aged better than Richard’s, and that that dress is still a winner.

I was reminded of it this morning when LK Bennett pinged me some of their new season product which includes this navy/white dress (with pockets, and fuller in the skirt in keeping with the current trend):

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If you have ankles like Naomi Watts (I’m now thinking Painted Veil) this would make a great ‘day’ look teamed with Hobbs white brogues (or see these from M&S) Toast handbag, Dorothy Perkins skinny tan belt, and Pure cashmere cardigan.  I’ve thrown a Panama Hat Mall fedora in for the full Julia Roberts effect.  But I could also be persuaded to go all Grace Kelly with a long, floaty scarf.

Sadly, Santa didn’t bring me chiselled ankles, so until I’ve saved the money for the ankleplasty, I’ll stick to boots until the weather warms up – this is a transitional dress that will take me right through until the summer.  So the adjusted look is:

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with Boden boots, Van-Dal Dylan clutch, and Maison Boinet leather bow belt.

Making Good Better…

Which business do you wish you had founded?  Google?  Facebook?  Right now I’d probably plump for Rococco Chocolates.  But close to the top of my list you will always find The White Company: I love everything that Chrissie Rucker sells.

And now she has made good better by hiving off the most simple, classic items of clothing into a style edit entitled General Store.

white company general

The range includes jeans, cashmere, and the elegant white shirt (£70) shown above. All items are absolute classics, great staples.  That’s not to say that the main range doesn’t include classics, but this edit does have particular timeless appeal.

On the subject of white shirts, I had great success last year with this multipack from Marks and Spencer

shirts

These shirts are from the men’s range, and you need to try them on in store to be sure of the fit (I bought the smallest collar size) but at £30 for 3 you can’t really go wrong!

What is your approach to ‘boyfriend’ dressing?  Do you have any menswear recommendations for the girls?