The London Lookbook: Dressed up in Reiss
Whenever I’ve been to the hairdressers in recent years I’ve given specific instructions – ‘No Kate Middleton please’. Since the Duchess of Cambridge has achieved fashion icon status, it seems that hairdressers instinctively want to blow my hair into a big bouncy, shiny do like HRH Kate. Don’t get me wrong; I think Mrs Windsor’s glorious locks are lovely, as is her polished and professional style. However, it ain’t me. I believe that the key to dressing well is knowing yourself and playing to your strengths – whatever they might be. In my case it’s vintage eclecticism mixed in with a generous helping of flamboyant eccentricity.
However, as I get older I find that the fripperies of my past need to be dialed down to a more low key level of ostentation – the lurid tutus of the bygone years have been replaced with considered tailoring and chic colors. I hope that my particular brand of sartorial irreverence is remains unscathed. There are certain stores that I have avoided for fear of them being too conservative for me. Reiss is one such brand – the exquisite tailoring and tasteful colour range scared off my younger, less discerning self. However, this dress and boots combo has just the right balance of dicey details with the appropriate level of tailoring. I love the down played blue snakeskin print of this flirtatiously hemmed dress. The silver boots satisfy my magpie’s eye, along with a not so secret desire be a David Bowie impersonator. My stole and blazer are both vintage.
To me the sign of a great brand is when their clothes can be incorporated into an everyday wardrobe. The fact that a polished paragon of unquestionable taste like Kate Middleton, and odd-bods like me can both find cool frocks to wear in the same place, without Reiss losing it’s core brand identity, is testament to the design skill and prowess of the company.
