This post seems a little fitting since The Oscars have just happened. Since I write mostly about dresses and shoes I feel like it’s almost expected that I should have written a post about the red carpet frocks, but to be honest, it’s not really my kind of thing. Don’t get me wrong – I love having a peek at the gorgeous frocks the stars wore. Almost immediately after waking up I head over to Marie Claire or Instyle to have a look at their red carpet round-up pics. But it isn’t really relatable fashion is it? It’s hard to fall head over heels in love with something when you just can’t in a million years picture yourself at an event even remotely worthy of one of those gowns. I’ve already told you how I feel about me in floor length dresses. I mean, I can see myself putting on Cate Blanchett’s controversial Armani Prive gown, which seemed to divide opinion, and twirling around in it, pretty much feeling like a princess. But actually wear it anywhere? In public? Come on, don’t be daft. Never, ever going to happen. Not because it isn’t gorgeous – unlike many I thought she looked absolutely stunning – but because I’d have to be living in a fantasy world if I thought I’d ever have an occasion where that kind of look would be appropriate. Except perhaps my Wedding, and even then I’m pretty sure most of the guests would be sniggering behind my back in a ‘Who does she think she is??’ kind of way. Speaking of which…
Another thing I hate about awards ceremonies and other red carpet events is the way the claws suddenly come out. Now, I know I am prone to taking the mickey, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t spot an ‘interesting’ outfit pass me by in the street and think ‘What was she thinking??’ I might even whisper quietly or give a tell tale sideways glance to my companion, but to publically slate someone for their choice of clothing, however kooky or strange, just seems like such a low blow. The way someone dresses is so personal – why should it bother anyone else what someone chooses to wear? You don’t have to like it, but some of the articles written are downright mean. Like this one, for example (it seems ironic to me that a journalist can begin an article suggesting that women dressing up for the Oscars is a step back for feminism, then spend the rest of it making catty remarks and judgements about their outfit choices…). One common put-down for an red carpet dress is that it is too ‘boring’ or ‘safe’, as if you can only look good if you’ve been dumped in a vat of glue and sequins or added an extra mile of seemingly unnecessary fabric (not being mean, I love a bit of sparkle and drama personally!). Those ‘boring’ gowns though, are sometimes the ones I love the most, because I can actually imagine wearing them.
Which brings me to the actual point of this post (yeah, took me a while to get there. Sorry ’bout that…), these rather fetching Victoria Beckham gowns…
Now, if you grew up around the same time as me you’ll know that Victoria hasn’t always been known as a classy dresser. She’s had her fair share of red carpet slatings over the years (remember this Julien Macdonald dress? The press didn’t give her an easy time for that one) but these days her collections are exactly the kind of thing I’d love to wear if I thought I was sophisticated enough – classic, clean and simple. I still doubt I’ll ever have an occasion to wear any of these to, but I think even I would feel like a grown up in one of them, and that is saying something….
Love,
Picking the Day 