Dresses, Books, and Books about Dresses.......

I’ve always hated the phrase ‘Chick lit’. Originally I think it was intended to make reading women authors the new ‘rock n roll’ but to me all it does is tie up women into a ball off fluffy confused unintelligent material that conforms to the cliché of what women read and write. And anyway, there’s nothing wrong with the old rock n roll. To be engulfed in a genre which is dominated by your gender and not your material (it’s always Chick before Lit) is scary and overbearing. Women are pigeon-holed in a way that just doesn’t happen to men: how often do you hear anyone use the phrase ‘Dick Lit’? As a female writer you don’t just represent yourself: you represent everyone who doesn’t have a penis.



Similarly condemned as an awkward subsector of ‘Chick Lit’ (kind of like Chick Lit’s uncomfortable socially unaware cousins) are books about fashion. They are rarely reviewed; treated like Prince Phillips indiscretions and never discussed in polite company; dismissed as frivolous, picture heavy tomes of insignificance for vapid girls. What makes things even worse is that sometimes, more than sometimes, it’s true. That extra half inch by Victoria Beckham anyone? Perhaps if she actually lost that extra half inch she’d disappear, leaving only a pair of Louboutin stilettos and a cloud of make up. Maybe she could take everyone that bought the book with her. We can only hope.



Fashion is my passion (I’m a poet and I know it) but that doesn’t mean I want to read about how Trinny and Susannah would dress my body. (And no, I don’t want to be called pear shaped!) Those two creatures are constantly on the bestsellers list with their hardbacks full of insults and bad advice, and it gives fashion publications a bad name. Scouring through my local Waterstone’s (or any other reputable book store,of course!) for something fashion related and yet not mind-numbing to read, I was beginning to despair that fashion had finally forsaken me. And then I discovered Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution by Caroline Weber.



Don’t worry, this isn’t about to turn into a condescending book review (It was supposed to be another of my famous rants) but this book does represent everything a good fashion tome should be. Intelligent, historically grounded, interesting and beautiful! The book focuses on what the Queen wore from the day she left Austria to the day she put her head on the block. The attention to detail is a wonderful surprise with fabric, texture and pattern described in almost reconstructable detail. Her love of fashion and dressing up and dressing down and, well, dressing, is opulently documented and lusciously illustrated- Masked balls, high hair, faux country girl clothes: enough unintentional style tips to ‘do’ regency glam for a month!



Weber demonstrates that Marie Antoinette’s fashion obsession was for the sake of self assertion, and her unique point of view on the rise and fall of an original style icon is intelligent, well researched and exciting to read. She also asks some pretty key questions: Was Marie Antoinette more than elaborate dresses and very white powder? (The answer by the way is Yes) and do clothes make a woman? (I know the answer is no but secretly want it to be yes!). Maybe ask me next week once by brocade coat has arrived and I’ve perfected the high hair and powder look!

Alicia Silverstone looks wild!

David Beckhams first game for LA Galaxy was a star studded affair, but for me the star of the show wasn't Mrs Beckham aka "The Posh one" (who wore black and pouted alot, so nothing new there!) but the very casual Alicia Silverstone.

Sporting jeans, a turquoise t shirt with tiger logo, and with her hair hanging in casual curls around her shoulders she looked dressed down but glamourous; a movie star on her day off! (And it's a good job really, as thats what she is!)

*SIGH* If only I could pull off looking so effortlessly gorgeous in nothing more than a t shirt and jeans.......

Land Ahoy!!

More rain this weekend led to more towns flooded and more people's lives thrown into disarray.

With this selection of wet weather goodies however, at least your wardrobe will stand by you when the weather lets you down!

1) Jella Welly Parrot Print Boot. Office £20.

2) Metallic Blue Parka. Topshop. £55

3) Purple Gingham Umbrella. Topshop. £12

It's never to early to think about Christmas.....

With todays torrential downpours leaving me feeling very unsummery (and more than a little wet!) in my inappropriate ballet pumps, it started me thinking about more appropriate footwear that would see me looking stylish (and dry) all the way through til Christmas.



Now this is a sentence I never thought I would say, but theseUGG boots are perfect for winter everyday wear. When Kate Moss started the trend in the UK, I didn't like the UGG look. Comfy, yes. Stylish, no. This new version however, seem different. They are leather so they look great, whilst still having the warm and comforting fur inside. The leather straps, dark fur trim, and extra height all give the boots a biker feel . These boots are understated, great quality......

....And for £200 from Office, they could be yours right now. Hmm, I wonder whether Primark will be bringing out a nice cheap version instead!

Oh Britney, What have you done now?

Oh Britney I do despair!

When you went crazy and chopped all your hair off, I stood by you. When you sacked your stylist and started dressing even more trailer trash than usual, I told everyone there would still be a glorious comeback. I even forgave you those badly thought out (and poorly executed) hair extensions. *shudder* But even I have a limit, and this could be it.

Firstly, as you commend more a month than I am likely to earn my whole lifetime (and you live on the beach) why not buy a bikini if you fancy a swim? Its not like you can't afford it/wouldn't use it again!

And secondly, if you want to swim in your pants in front of the paparazzi (because heaven forbid Britney kept her head down and staved herself of the publicity-oxygen) at least make sure they match your bra!

Oh Britney, please buck your ideas up! I'm not sure how much more disapointment from you I can take.

Jessica Biel looks great in Gucci!

Jessica Biel looked stunning at the New York premiere of the new movie, I now pronounce you Chuck and Larry (which should win an award for its offputting title!)

Jessica wore a summery white Gucci dress covered in a graphic grey print that was accented with bursts of red. She teamed this with black peep toed heels and a teeny red and white clutch.

I usually hate these "mid-length" dresses, which make even the thinnest calf look like it belongs to a rugby player, but Ms Biel really pulls it off! The cinched waist emphasises her incredible figure (yes, I am a bit jealous!) and the pattern draws attention downwards, elongating her body further (ok, now i'm really jealous!)



Ms Biel scores 9/10 for this little Gucci number (I would've worn red shoes) and is awarded today's (not exactly) coverted FabFrock of the day award! Well done Jessica!