Why men love wacky wardrobes

To hell with humility: my fiancée is a style virtuoso. Often surrounded by clones in halter tops and pencil skirts, Abby will dance through the night in a silver onesie, three-quarter-length on the legs but full-sleeved, worn over a silver swimsuit. In her outlandish Louis Vuitton shoes, floral straps flapping in and out of the schooner-glass-size holes in their preposterously raised wooden heels, she moves to the beat with as much seductive elegance as she would in a pair of lovingly battered Converse sneakers. On our wedding day, she's intending - conservative onlookers might say "threatening" - to wear a see-through, double-layer silk dress, a hand-painted black design at its billowing base, in place of the traditional chintzy alternative.

Women's fashion is quirky, bold and, at times, crazy - and Abby refuses to miss out on the fun. I find her sartorial bravado devastatingly attractive. And I'm not alone in such praise. Steffan Sacco, beau of the flamboyantly dressed stylist Sarah Bonett, is equally enamoured with his partner's outlandish dress sense. "I love the fact that what Sarah wears isn't your typical suburban fashion outfit that you can buy from chain stores located all over Australia," he says, singling out her Herve Leger bandage dress for special praise.

Part of the attraction, says Sacco, is Sarah's imperviousness to a bland status quo. "I love that she looks different without buying into trends you see everyone else wearing." There's also the implied confidence and the eye-turn factor (yes, we secretly love you being the centre of attention). Besides which, a daring guise - tastefully appointed and carried off with confidence - is aesthetic dynamite.

Kelvin Ho, whose partner is Jacqueline Perrett - communications manager, Australia at Sass & Bide - agrees. "I appreciate Jac's thrown-together look," he says. "It's laid-back and understated but still luxurious and considered. A tan-and-black Balinese '70s batik sarong and her draped suede coat deserve a special mention, as do her Jil Sander pumps."

But surely, I hear female readers cry, men would prefer us to live, work and sleep in hotpants and the kind of bikini tops that look more suited to slicing hunks of cheddar on a deli counter?

Okay, guilty as charged - to an extent. Traditionally, men have valued women's fashion according to how much the fabric - be it by a complete absence or a clinging presence - reveals what lies beneath: the female contours we're biologically predisposed to gawp at. When English model Jean Shrimpton caused an outcry by wearing a miniskirt to the 1965 Melbourne Cup, the protests were much more muted from the male camp. We can't help it. We have evolved with a nerve that runs from our loins to our tongue, and a woman in tight jeans getting off a bar stool triggers an involuntarily response in the former that causes the latter to unfurl like a famished cartoon mutt's. "I'd never say the Pirelli calendar isn't exciting," admits Ho.

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Summer chic? Girls win hands down

Cheryl Cole makes the jump

BCBG's minimal maxi

Ah, the darling days of summer. What bliss. Another bank hol tomorrow, and yet more honey-drenched time to indulge in the cornucopia of fun that is summertime fashion. I was musing upon this just the other day, when two blokes hauled into sight wearing the male summer uniform of Middle England: polo shirt and nondescript but inexplicably objectionable shorts, worn with trainers. And socks. Plus a UK trademark expanse of hairy, dairy-coloured calf to complete the look. I feel for men in summer. While winter throws up any and every opportunity to look cool – sleek suits, poloneck fisherman’s sweaters, crisply ironed shirts, chelsea boots – summer leaves the poor dears beached, floundering about on the shores of style like mackerel out of water, wondering whether they can get away with flip-flops.
But for women, these early weeks of summer are the salad days (in every sense: I haven’t consumed a carbohydrate in weeks – part of my cunning plan to avoid the necessity of a burkini when I eventually disrobe and make a mad dash for the waves). As consolation for the scarcity of calories, I’ve decided to embark instead on a clothes binge, mainly because there’s so much good stuff about in the shops right now. It’s like one of those gastro-pub salads – all fresh greens and interesting flavours, with tons of goodies lurking in the mix if you fish about with a fork.

Summer leaves men beached, floundering about on the shores of style like mackerel out of water

The general tenor of proceedings is barbecue-meets-festival dressing – a bit laid-back, a bit chilled, a lot lovely. The foundation of it all, it seems to me, is a wedge espadrille – something mid-range, mid-height and mild, not remotely dangerous; something that could run for a taxi should the need arise, perhaps with ribbon ties licking up the ankle. Beyond the wedge, I’m increasingly nurturing the idea (don’t snigger) of a jumpsuit – perhaps in a faded blue cotton, worn with a skinny whip of belt and the legs rolled up just a smidge, as if ready to meander through meadows of wild flowers and paddle across stickleback streams. I reckon it’ll be just the ticket, bringing together all the fashion nous you need with the added bonus that this is one-piece dressing at its most elemental. You barely need pants. I’d sling a cross-body bag over the top – a boxy tan leather one trawled from a vintage stall on a hot Saturday morning.
Alternatively, there’s always the glory of the maxi dress. Rather than a droopy cheesecloth or a gaudy floral print – which can make even a thinnie look like a Cath Kidston marquee – I’d advise something low-key. Go for a single, subtle colour – caramel or navy or taupe or cream – with a handful of pin tucks or a tracing of lace, worn with bare feet and anyhow hair. What you really want is not a trend but a timeless piece, a precious dress that forgives all your foibles and brings a little sunlight into your life. If only men could find something as delightful to get them through the holiday season. Maxi shorts, perhaps? I think I may be on to something.

TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL

We’ve not owned one since we were seven, but school-style satchels are big news this summer. Practical and British made, yet suitably edgy, the collection from the Original Satchel Store is our top pick. The Day-Glo colours are flying off its website, while its new hues include this bright red.
Available in three sizes, from £66.95; originalsatchelstore.co.uk

LITTLE GEMS

After stylish holiday gear for your mini me? Hot click it to miniwardrobe.com. Boasting cool kit for 0-12-year-olds, the website has a label stable that includes Ralph Lauren as well as lesser-known international brands such as Isossy Children – we love this cotton jumpsuit, £40.

miniwardrobe.com, tel: 0845 602 6380

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Five best unique boutiques

10 Corso Como, Milan

The chicest street in the chicest city in the world is Corso Como, and the sprawling shop and art gallery at number 10 is the chicest shop therein. Owned by Carla Sozzani, the super-thin blonde sister of Franca Sozzani who edits Vogue (yep, you guessed it: the chicest publication in the world), this huge space is home to a superbly curated selection of product design, art and, of course, cutting-edge men’s and women’s fashion and accessories. Think Paris’s Colette with added dolce-vita class. For extra glam-value, you can try and book a room in the three-bedroom boutique hotel, the imaginatively named Three Rooms, that Sozzani also owns. Just pick your visiting time carefully – during Milan Fashion Week you won’t be able to squeeze into the shop, let alone book into the B&B. 10corsocomo.com

Opening Ceremony, New York

The Big Apple’s coolest area, SoHo, has no shortage of weird and wonderful boutiques, and a devoted clientele of cropped-trouser-wearing, giant-specs-gazing hipsters to frequent them. The hottest of the hot, though, is Opening Ceremony, which has been drawing the trendsetters for its unique collection of international fashion. In fact, its buying policy is to choose one country each year from which to buy, stocking the products of both big-reputation designers and up-and-coming youngsters. It also has a great selection of insider American brands, and it was the first shop to sell Topshop in New York. In keeping with its uber-trendy status, the staff have a reputation for being sulky and skinny, but that just adds to the point-and-stare charm of it all. openingceremony.us

Priceless, Dubai

The city of superlatives may be all about gold, diamonds and seven-star hotels, but that doesn’t mean the people who live there have more money than sense - not all of them, anyway. Those who are in the know shop at the Dubai Outlet Mall, a 20-minute drive out of town. And while the high-street likes of Massimo Dutti and Mango have their spots there (hardly worth the taxi fare), the very best place to go is Priceless, which sells Harvey Nichols’ old stock at massively reduced prices. As with all discount stores, it is a lottery, but recent finds have included an Alberta Ferretti dress down from Dh3,500 (£636) to Dh610 (£110), an Alice + Olivia mini dress for Dh100 £100) and similarly discounted menswear. priceless.com

Dover Street Market, London

Ever contrary, Rei Kawakubo, the enigmatic Japanese designer behind Comme des Garçons, chose one of the least hip locations in London for her concept store Dover Street Market. Mayfair may be rich and elegant, but it entirely lacks the edginess of the East End. Nevertheless, this rambling store is hugely popular among the avant-garde hipsters of the city for its quirky selection of brands, from Comme des Garçons itself to the likes of Hussein Chalayan, Lanvin and A Bathing Ape. The interior is set out like a series of contemporary art installations, with each brand having its own quirky concept, and the insiders keep their ears to the ground for news on the latest limited-edition DST collaborations with artists and designers. doverstreetmarket.com

El Camarin, Buenos Aires

Latin America has been moving beyond bikinis and super-tans for some time, with ever more interesting underground music and vintage youth scenes. The latest, most beautiful shop to cater to this is El Camarín, a delicately pretty boutique in the fashionable Avenue Alvear, selling antique and vintage pieces imported from Paris, London and New York. And it’s not the musty old coats and dresses you might expect in a secondhand shop: the carefully chosen stock is a treasure trove of dresses and accessories in rich velvet, fragile silk and intricate lace, often restored by seamstresses with couture-level skill. The new products are lovely too, from belts to books to objets decoratif, but it’s the turn-of-the-last-century womenswear that is truly sensational. elcamarin.com

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Summer Footwear: Vera Shoes

If you're looking forward to the summer, but not to wearing the same old plimsolls as everyone else, take a look at this offering from UK brand Vera Shoes.

So the Great British Summertime is on it’s way, or at least we hope it is. Typically this would mean the sun would be out shining everyday, or like other years we could just end up with rain showers. More optimism, less pessimism though yes? Correct, so let’s talk summer footwear.

As much as I would like to wear my comfy as hell desert boots all year round, I’m afraid it just isn’t feasible come summer time. Sweaty feet is not a good look on anyone, and contrary to recent trends – neither is suede boots and shorts, in my opinion. So a lighter option is what’s required. This is where Vera shoes come in. The brand is the brainchild of Neil Morris, who originally cut his teeth running Cardiff based store Drooghi. Following the closure of the store in 2007 – Neil upped sticks and moved out to Spain, where he started work with local factories on a line of shoes named after a local village.

The shoes themselves are constructed along the lines of classics, utilised with a subtle twist. Take the Santander lace up: mixes of espadrille and plimsoll, two styles which have been doing the rounds on the high street for the last few seasons, but with so many brands just copying the same old format, said styles can become stale rather quickly. Vera provides an invigorating new slant on summer footwear, and whilst every man and his dog will be wearing slip on espadrilles and white pumps this summer, Vera’s range of spring summer shoes are instantly recognisable as something with a bit more personality.

The use of local craftsmen working in traditional Spanish factories to manufacture the shoes, and the application of natural products including Jute, rubber and recycled papers and fabrics – all result in a great looking lightweight shoe that will last you for a few summers to come. Unlike most plimsoll soles, the Santander has a surprisingly sturdy sole that feels like it will last the whole summer, instead of the first two weeks – elsewhere the espadrille style mid sole and beige mesh upper help to keep your feet cool whilst adding a subtle flair to round the shoe off.

Like most good things, these shoes come in limited numbers, so you are unlikely to see them afoot of every bloke in the country. They are also only available to the UK and Japan.

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Make-up masterclass: Posy glow

• By Terry Baume de Rose Crystal SPF15 (£32, from spacenk.co.uk). I love the delicate rose scent of this luxurious lip balm, which is intensely moisturising without being sticky, and leaves lips with a subtle pink tint. If you dab a little balm on top of a lip stain, it will give an added gloss and make your lips appear fuller.
• Lancôme L’Absolu Nu (£19.50, available nationwide). This lipstick’s subtle scent of peach, rose, violet and vanilla was used in Lancôme’s first lipsticks. Shade 304 is a subtle rose pink that’s perfect for daytime. Kate Winslet wore 302 – a gorgeous bright pink that is great for evening – in Lancôme’s recent ad campaign.
• Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush (£29, tel: 020 7493 3836). Chanel uses roses from its fields in Provence to scent its make-up and perfume, and this blusher smells divine. Imprévu is a soft pink that is flattering on paler complexions. Subtle shimmer pigments ensure skin looks fresh and radiant. You can also use it to softly highlight your eyes by blending a little over the brow bone.

Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush

Aveda Uruku Color Gloss in Berry

• Aveda Uruku Color Gloss (£15, tel: 0870 034 2380). Organic peppermint, cinnamon and vanilla give this high-gloss lipstick a fresh aroma that will give you a lift. There are six colours in the range – my favourite is Berry, a bright strawberry shade that looks gorgeous with a tan or for evening. Balance bright lipstick with a touch of light bronze or apricot blusher on the apples of your cheeks.
• Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder (£33, tel: 01932 233887). This classic bronzer comes in eight shades to suit every skintone, and its fragrant hints of mandarin, bergamot and jasmine will put you in a summery mood. If you are fair and blonde, go for 02; fair and brunette, try 01, or olive skinned, try 05. All give a deliciously sun-flushed glow.

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Look stylish, feel comfortable with the right fit

You’ve seen those photos in fashion magazines that zero in on problem spots — the butt, thighs or stomach — typically accompanied by a caption that screams: What not to wear.

Experts say that while the latest fashion trends are desirable, proper fit is what ultimately will get you noticed, and, more importantly, make you feel good.

The fact is unflattering clothing can make someone look shorter or heavier than they actually are. Stacy London, of TLC’s What Not To Wear, says the key to great personal style is to find clothes that fit right and "self acceptance."

"That does not mean you have to like every part of your body," says London. "But you do have to know what you do like and don’t like so you know what to emphasize and what to camouflage."

When shopping for clothes, Lisa Singer, a merchandise manager at Reitmans, recommends keeping an open mind and calling on the sales staff for help.

"Ask, ’What do you think would work for me? These are the things I want to hide and these are the things that I want to flaunt,’" says Singer, adding it’s a good idea to get another perspective from someone who isn’t involved in your life and who will likely be more objective.

Singer says another problem is people get stuck in a size -in their mind. So it’s important to embrace the fact you can be one size on top and another on the bottom.

"I find that a lot of women have the misconception that, let’s say, they are a size eight on the bottom, they should be an eight on top. Women, we all come in different shapes and sizes. And I think we have to learn more about what suits us on top, what suits us on bottom, and what complements the body as a whole."

Telltale signs your clothes don’t fit

1. Sagging shoulders. Shoulder seams on tops, jackets and fitted dresses should sit on the edge of your shoulder; if they extend beyond your natural shoulder line, the garment is either too big or the wrong shape for your body.

2. The ill-fitting jacket. You should be able to button up a jacket and the lapels should sit flat across your chest. If not, the jacket is not a good fit.

3. No room to move. When a garment fits properly, it’s comfortable and easy to move in. Waistlines on a skirt, for example, should be just loose enough so you can turn the skirt around while you are wearing it.

4. Awkward top lengths. If your stomach is revealed when you raise your arms, your top is too short unless, of course, it’s a crop-top. And longer-length tops need to fully cover hips, without pulling or fitting too snugly.

5. Classic ’muffin top.’ A sign that pants are too small when your stomach hangs over the waistband. It can also mean the style is wrong for your body. If you’ve got curves, for example, avoid a straight fit pant and go for a curvy fit, which sits lower on the hips and will fit you at the waist.

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Grazia Fashion: Marchesa Does Playboy

Oh boy. First Lily Cole, then Lou Doillon, now the Marchesa girls are making the transition from fashion to, well, fash-off, as they get on board with Playboy.

But don’t worry - the girls aren’t literally stripping off their elegant layers for the delight and delectation of men-folk the world over. No, instead they are lending their dazzling design talents to the original Playboy costume, designing a special couture corset for….the delight and delectation of men-folk the world over.

Lavishly bedecked with beading, embroidered lace and a provocative little peplum, the outfit made its debut last night at a special – um – fashion show at the brand spanking new Playboy club in Mayfair. Bunnies teased the crowd in a catwalk parade of various permutations and combinations of the infamous Playboy outfit.

Naturally, the all black ensemble specially created by Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig drew the loudest wolf-whistles, but let’s hope it also draws the largest sums of money when it goes up for auction in October, with proceeds going to Breast Cancer awareness.

Think of it as a gesture of goodwill from your bosom bunnies.

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Kenneth Jay Lane Pendant Necklace: Buy of the Day

What: Kenneth Jay Lane Pendant Necklace

How Much: $88
I'd Wear It With: I'd wear it with this long dress and flats for a casual dinner out!

Buy It Here: shopbop.com
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Cheryl Cole - Cheryl Cole Has Red Carpet Fears

Cheryl Cole always gets nervous before walking the red carpet.

The 'Fight for this Love' singer finds the glare of the flashbulbs and the scrutiny of her fashion choices when she attends glitzy parties daunting, but has a number of rules for dealing with it.

She said: "I always get nervous before walking red carpets. It's amazing to do the girlie thing and to have your hair and make-up done, but it's also really stressful sometimes too.

"The most important thing is to make sure you're covered from all angles. You must remember it's 360-degree angles those photographers get. When you're out with your friends, and someone takes a picture, you can be like, 'take another one'.

"You don't get that luxury on the red carpet. That's it, done. If you get out there and have a problem, you've had it!"

The star also said she loves to wear "big hair and lots of eyeliner" when she appears at big showbiz events, and that having comfort in her clothes is also of prime importance.

Cheryl added in an interview with OK! magazine: "You have to enjoy the moment, and I'd say the worst thing is if you're uncomfortable in what you're wearing."

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Chloë Moretz Would Love a Fashion Line — ‘Maybe When I’m 16’

At just 14 years old, actress Chloë Moretz has come closer to Johnny Depp than most women with violent crushes on him ever will. As his co-star in Tim Burton's vampire movie Dark Shadows, Moretz is less fixated on fulfilling Twilight-esque fantasies of being in a vampire movie than her obviously more mature ones. "I did have a bit of a crush on [Depp] before I started," she told British Vogue. "But then I realized he has a daughter who was only two years younger than me and then I thought 'Maybe not.'"

Her maturity doesn't stop at her taste in men. She "would love" to have her own clothing line, she said, jokingly, "maybe when I'm 16." And last night, she attended a launch party at the Azarro store in London, wearing a sheer-paneled dress with little stiletto shoes, vamping as though she'd practiced. She also says things like Christopher Kane is one of her favorite fashion labels because "I love his take on neon — it's so fresh." When we were 14 we most certainly didn't know neon was a thing on which one could have "a take."

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Prada valued at £9.3bn ahead of public sale

 

Italian luxury fashion brand Prada exceeds earlier estimates to be valued at £9.3bn for sale on Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

As Prada prepares for it's big public sale on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange slated for late June, early estimates of the company's value are in.

The Italian fashion group which counts labels Prada and Miu Miu, British shoemaker Church's, and designer moccasin makers Car Shoe in its family, has exceeded earlier predictions to be valued at £9.3bn by Banca IMI-Intesa Sanpaolo Group, which owns 5.1pc of the business.

Prada's profits soar

Rumours that the 98-year-old family company may be looking at a public sale first surfaced back in November 2010 as a way for Mrs Prada and her husband, the company's chief executive, Patrizio Bertelli, to pay off the brand's £880m debts.

Back then, analysts forecasted Prada's worth to be in the region of £5.2bn, but three very strong seasons for the group have seen their profits, and therefore potential value, soar.

Prada reported record profits and sales for 2010 after seeing a 150.4pc rise in net profits to £218m, and a 31.1pc rise in revenue to £1.78bn.

"Our strategy of expansion worldwide, carried out with a strict cost-control policy, led to a significant growth in revenues and profitability and further reinforced our position as one of the leaders in the luxury goods market" said Bertelli.

Prada was founded by Mario Prada in 1913 as a leather goods specialist and has since grown to become one of the most highly regarded brands in the fashion business, thanks in large part, to the extraordinary talents of Mario's granddaughter Miuccia Prada, who took the helm in 1978.

The first Italian company to be listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange, Prada will also be the biggest European fashion brand to 'float' in more than a decade.

Prada are aiming to sell a 20pc stake in the brand, comprising the 5.1pc Banca IMI-Intesa Sanpaolo shares with the rest coming from Miuccia and Bertelli's 94.9pc stake.

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Michelle Obama wears white Tom Ford gown to palace

Michelle Obama packed a wardrobe of high-fashion clothes to accompany her husband on a state visit to England. She made quick changes from one dress to another on Tuesday, wearing designer labels that stretch from Los Angeles to London.

To an elegant, formal state dinner hosted by Queen Elizabeth II, the first lady wore a white gown with a crisscross halter neckline by Tom Ford, a top-tier American designer who makes his home half the year across the pond.

Mrs. Obama’s hair was pinned up in a chignon, which showed off dangling earrings. She accessorized with white opera gloves and a silver clutch bag.

The queen also had on a white gown — and a lot of sparkle.

It might not have been a coordinated fashion statement between the two women, but InStyle fashion director Hal Rubenstein isn’t sure it was a coincidence, either. "There’s something awfully harmonious about the picture. The thing that’s cool about Mrs. Obama’s white, which the queen tends to wear at events like this, is that she doesn’t compete. ... It’s a form-fitting gown but there’s no decollete, it’s very respectful and tasteful, yet it’s very striking."

President Barack Obama matched too, with a white bow tie, dress shirt and pocket square.

Earlier, at a daytime arrivals ceremony, Mrs. Obama and the queen complemented each other in blue floral dresses.

There was another fashion plate at Buckingham Palace as well: The new Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, wore a sand-colored dress by the British label Reiss. Her appearance sparked such a rush in demand for the above-the-knee sheath, with a retail price of $340, that the retailer’s website traffic increased by more than 300 percent, resulting in several crashes throughout the day, according to the company.

The dress was sophisticated and chic, if not a bit understated, but the duchess put her own twist on the outfit with her black pointy-toe pumps and black satin clutch handbag by Anya Hindmarch. The bag was engraved with her initials.

The 29-year-old newlywed "looks her age. I was afraid the minute she got in the royal family, she’d be wearing clothes that were too formal. I like that there’s no coat or suit," said Kate Betts, author of "Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style."

Mrs. Obama also hit it right, said Betts. "She looks so pretty. The dress is so English. In my opinion, she rarely makes a mistake, and today is no different."

Her ice-blue, floral-jacquard dress was by California designer Barbara Tfank, which she paired with a light purple bolero.

"The color of her dress, the print — it all seems like an homage to the queen," said Betts, a contributing editor at Time magazine.

Betts noted that Mrs. Obama wore a cardigan sweater when she first met the queen two years ago, sparking debate whether she had taken too literally the casual sportswear style that is the signature of American fashion. "I think she wore that bolero jacket as a wink to the cardigan thing," she said.

Mrs. Obama also went with President Obama to Westminster Abbey and 10 Downing St., the official residence of British Prime Minister David Cameron. For that, she wore a purple dress by Serbian-born Roksanda Ilincic with a bright blue coat by New York-based Narciso Rodriguez.

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Elle Fanning Shows Her Grown Up Side

Elle Fanning is featured in Teen Vogue looking adorable as ever and showing off some gorgeous braids by hairstylist Didier Malige.

The 13-year-old Fanning goes on to talk about being a “fashion nerd”, she says:

"I don't worry about what other people think about my clothes—I want to be me. And that's just a little weird. I think it's a compliment when people give me strange looks or say that I dress 'uniquely.'

During fashion week I go online to watch all the shows, and then I organize and save pictures of my favorites in folders on my desktop. What can I say? I'm a total fashion nerd."

She’s also a favorite of Rodarte, even recently filming for them. She added:

"I just shot a short film with them, which was a real dream. I was in awe of them the whole time.”

What do U think of Elle’s look? We’re loving it!

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LOOK LOVES: Topshop's Colour-Pop Espadrilles

These colour-block wedge shoes from Topshop are top of our bank holiday wish list. They’ve got the bold and bright colour trend nailed, have a Prada feel to them and did we mention they’re super-comfy? We’ll be wearing ours with everything from maxis and minis to denim cut-offs this weekend - let’s just hope the weather's as hot as these heels.
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David Beckham Takes His Shot

Brand it like Beckham.

That’s what David Beckham and his business partner, Simon Fuller, are gearing up to accomplish this year with the launch of a men’s bodywear line, a new...

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Rosario vs. Naomi: Who Has Sexier Legs?

Rosario Dawson gave modeling a try with a trip down the catwalk for Naomi Campbell's Fashion For Relief fundraiser show in Cannes. We were wildly impressed with her legs, which were rivaled only by Naomi Campbell's endless legs. Both wore dresses with thigh-high slits, which is a recurring theme in evening gowns these days. In your opinion, who has sexier legs, Rosario or Naomi?

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Cannes Fashion Heats Up

Much of Hollywood has been transported to France for the film festival. From Rachel McAdams and Penelope Cruz to Angelina Jolie and Sarah Jessica Parker, see the stars strut their latest styles.

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Oprah Winfrey to interview Ralph Lauren

 In one of the last ever editions of the Oprah Winfrey Show, the television show host takes a tour of the 71-year-old designer's estate in Telluride, Colorado, as part of an hour-long special - the first time camera crews have been allowed inside Ralph Lauren's ranch.

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Fall 2011 Trend: Male Order

From chunky overcoats to sleek suits and stark shirts, the work uniform is getting a revamp for fall. Designers are borrowing from the men’s classics, reshaping them for women, adding volume

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Celebrity Trend: The Long and Short of It

Long-sleeve tops with short flared skirts make for very charming cocktail dresses.

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Specialty Margins Swell in Qtr

 Three specialty chains — Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Limited Brands Inc. and Chico’s FAS Inc. — reported improved bottom-line results Wednesday as higher sales were supported by...

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Bridget Foley's Diary: Pull Up a Chair

Sean John and I share a certain aesthetic. Yes, that Sean John. I learned that on Tuesday while perusing the aisles of the International Contemporary Furniture Fair at the Javits Center, which I hit...

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As Milestone Nears, CFDA Plots Growth

 NEW YORK — In the past two years, Diane von Furstenberg introduced a new tradition to the CFDA Awards. As president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, she has taken...

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Why women look up to find love

Tall men attract the ladies because they remind them of our violent ape-like ancestors, according to a new theory.

A study shows men hit harder when they stand on two legs than when they kneel down, and when directing punches downwards.

This might explain why early humans began walking upright, and also why women prefer tall men, say US researchers.

Professor David Carrier, from the University of Utah, said: "The results of this study are consistent with the hypothesis that our ancestors adopted bipedal posture so that males would be better at beating and killing each other when competing for females.

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Toupee or not toupee?

"Anyone you see on the red carpet, they've all got hairpieces." This remark, from a beauty PR, seemed a slight exaggeration - I think we'd detect it if men were up to it, too - but it does seem that hair is the latest zone of a woman's appearance to have traversed into the realms of fake plumping-up. At the Met Ball, as I found myself looking down on Madonna in the dinner throng (she is tiny) and admiring her Thirties movie-star tresses, someone hissed in my ear: "It's probably a wig, you know."

I can think of a time in my life when I'd have been shocked and disapproving about the idea of hairpiece-wearing. In the Eighties, the rule of wash 'n' wear - the idea that hair should be "natural", that all it needed was "a good cut" every six weeks, and that it would look best that way - held such sway I even remember thinking hairdryers were a chichi, bourgeois old-lady thing. To have false anything - eyelashes, hair colour, tan, let alone breasts - seemed faintly disgusting to a generation of fine young feminists.

Now, I'm more of the laissez-faire opinion that what is acceptable in beauty is just a matter of fashion, not morality. I still can't ever see myself going under the knife or having part of my bottom injected into my face to improve my looks, but I can't think of a way this new hair thing is offensively invasive.

In the history of hairstyling, the last time "switches" - hairpieces that come with clips for attaching to hair -were in widespread use was in the late Sixties and early Seventies. But from that period there are so many photographs of coiled-up hair, modelled by the likes of Veruschka, I've always secretly found inspiring that now I'm thinking, well, why not? Using fake locks as transformative accessories is only part of fashion play, and a potentially lot of fun on a night out - just so long as they don't fall off into your soup.

fashion.telegraph.co.uk

Snap Up Miss Selfridge's £85 Limited Edition Dress

After watching Penélope Cruz and Rachel McAdams swish down the Cannes Film Festival 2011 red carpet in their sheer embellished Marchesa gowns, we’ve decided we want a high street version of our own. This limited-edition number from Miss Selfridge ticks all the right boxes. With its sheer underlay (no peekaboo mishaps) and Marchesa-style tattoo embroidery, it’s a wardrobe winner – and all for under a hundred quid.




www.look.co.uk

Kate Moss launches new Mango collection in Paris

As the new face of the Spanish high street label, Moss joined acclaimed photographer Terry Richardson at a fashion show in Paris to launch the A/W11 collection. The model looked chic (although a little tired) in a signature white blazer, bejewelled top and satin trousers.

Moss shot the accompanying ad campaign for the new Mango collection alongside Richardson in Paris last month. As the new face of Mango, the model follows in the footsteps of Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz, who have previously starred the brand's campaigns.

Moss's appearance at the Mango launch came after she returned to her hometown of Croydon to shoot the new Rimmel make-up advert. The star wore a red mini dress as she was airlifted on to the roof of the Whitgift shopping centre's multi-storey car park via helicopter for the sunset shoot.

There's less than two months to go before the model marries long-time boyfriend Jamie Hince. The couple are planning to wed on July 2 at an undisclosed location, but sources have claimed it will be near her £2million Cotswolds home.

Moss is said to have contacted a string of rocker friends to perform at the wedding, which has been billed as a 'mini-Glasto'. It is reported she has asked The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Clash, Primal Scream, Kanye West, Duran Duran and Beth Ditto to perform.

www.lovestyle.com

Burberry Sunglasses

Previewed during the Burberry Prorsum S/S11 show, the new foldable 'Burberry Brights' eyewear is a continuation of the brand's foldable concept, which includes packable trench coats and rainwear. Available in a myriad of colours, including fuchsia, beetroot, lime, pollen, citrus and spearmint, these snazzy new shades are the perfect accessory for those who shy away from head-to-toe block colour but want to channel the trend in a smaller, more sophisticated way.

Available to buy now from selected Burberry stores and Burberry.com


www.lovestyle.com

Penélope Cruz Steps Out In Another Mesmerising Dress

Over the past week we’ve fallen head over heels for Madrid’s hottest export Penélope Cruz thanks to her uh-mazing Pirates Of The Caribbean wardrobe! From fabulous fishtail frocks to smouldering hot pencil dresses, this lady can just about pull off any dress style or length. Last night she continued her whistle-stop tour for the new Pirates Of The Caribbean film and hit Germany in a striking red Armani Privé dress that almost looked like liquid, showing off her fab post-baby figure to perfection. Forget Johnny Depp, if Penélope Cruz keeps upping the style ante like this she could become fashion’s leading lady! SD

www.look.co.uk