Trend report : Pretty Woman

When I first watched Warpaint’s video for their song Elephant, I developed a major crush on Jenny Lee Lindberg. Alas I don’t think I can do anything about playing in a band but I can try and imitate that prettiness with the latest fashion offerings, says Natasha Arul…

When I first watched Warpaint’s video for their song Elephant, I developed a major crush on Jenny Lee Lindberg.

She looked so ethereal and simply stunning with the light shining through her sheer long white dress. I wished I could be her, looking amazing with hair flowing, dress billowing while playing the guitar in a great band.

Alas I don’t think I can do anything about playing in a band but I can try and imitate that prettiness she emanates in the video with the offerings available in the shops currently.

From designer to high street, I can easily satisfy my craving for maxi skirts in candy colours and sheer black tops.

As a throwback after the androgynous styling observed last season, fragile femininity without frou frou is being embraced wholeheartedly. From the runway to the streets, we are moving away from borrowing from the boys’ wardrobe to let our inner pretty out with confidence.

Pleats please

Pleated skirts with an origin in school uniforms can be very prim and proper but this season it has been given a sexy update. Pleats in skirts and dresses are available in pastels and bright bold colours made out of lightweight materials.
I love the flirty movement of a pleated skirt; its fluid movement is so alluring. Juliette Hogan’s iconic pleated skirt from a year ago, and Kate Sylvester’s too, easily take you from a work meeting to cocktails on the waterfront. It’s a modern classic and a great investment. Below: twenty-seven names AW11 horizontal pleats.

Go to great lengths

Long lengths immediately add a sense of glamour. And it becomes very sexy with slits. It’s very notable. This new breed of long length is definitely not dowdy.
Alexa Chung recently wore a vibrant red Valentino Resort dress to the Golden Globes. Personally I wasn’t a big fan of her shoe choice- too severe paired with the dress – but the dress alone with her simple makeup made her standout and flashbulb-worthy.

Blogger Gala Gonzalez has been sporting maxi dresses, maxi skirts, – even a maxi cardigan- and she provides a good inspiration on how to wear this look for your daily wear.
Local designer Lara Parker has a delicious mint green one size fits all maxi skirt which I can’t wait to get my hands on.

Sheer joy

This trend offers the contrast between the dichotomies of provocativeness and delicateness. It places a focus on what you wear inside, because with the sheerness your lingerie becomes outerwear. This should not be any cause for worry as Lonely Hearts offers a great selection of gorgeous lingerie to chose from.

To get extra mileage from your sheer items, you can control how much you reveal by teaming a sheer top with a camisole making this look work acceptable. If you’re afraid of looking ultra feminine, just add a denim or leather jacket to make the look edgier. Ruby’s AW11 collection has quite a few covetable sheer items. I guess my bank account is going to be taking another damaging hit soon!

Block party

Block colour is the new black. Adding chunks of colour into your everyday wear is a great way to spice up your look. Jewel tones can be seen in the latest collections by Karen Walker, Jil Sander and Lanvin.

Below: Kate Bosworth wears a Jil Sander maxi.

With this trend can be very minimalistic, all you need is the one knock-out piece, hair in a side plait and you’re ready to rock the town. But if you’re hesitant to go out dressed head to toe in one colour, try a bold coloured shirt paired with a black skirt or a white top with a bright skirt.

There is no need to be stuck in a rut of borrowing from your boyfriend. Feminine styling need not be old school so shop around and invest in the items you feel stunning in. With Valentine’s day just around the corner, let your feminine allure shine.

Natasha Arul 5 February 2011