High street fashion Ladylike Chic (1940s)
Become a lady this season with the return of grown-up clothes for ladies proper. Cue pencil skirts, beautiful cocktail dresses and the return of the skirt suit.
The Skirt Suit
Marks and Spencer’s red skirt suit embodies the Hollywood starlet of the 1940s. Glamorous yet understated, chic yet subversively sexy, this is a suit that makes you walk and feel like an elegant, groomed woman. Perfect for a winter wedding, a special occasion or even the holiday season’s upcoming parties, the rich, textured fabric and gently fluted hem of the jacket needs little accessorising. To dress it up chose gold jewellery and leave off the tights, to play it down opt for black opaques.
The Pencil Skirt
Wallis’ pencil skirt will be a wardrobe staple for many seasons to come. Just as we saw on the catwalks it looks best dresses up with a statement blouse or shirt and a great, waist cinching belt. For the office try a crisp white shirt, and for the party season a silk blouse in a hot hue.
Land Girl
Banana Republic’s jacket strikes just the right balance, enough hardware to look really polished without looking like a uniform. This is a softer military look, just like the one we saw on the catwalks. It’s versatile enough to be worn for work, at the weekend or for a night out so will fit seamlessly in to your existing wardrobe.
Cocktail Hour
Simply Be’s classic black cocktail dress couldn’t be more slimline, sexy or chic. Delicately ruched side panels at the waist and bust line create the ultimate feminine silhouette while the draped neckline alludes to Lanvin on the catwalk. The below-the knee hem line is not only ultra flattering it also nods to the key 1940s trend while remaining thoroughly modern.
This will become a wardrobe staple from autumn right through to New Year, well worth the investment.