It’s that time of year where the heating gets turned up, fires are all aglow and we reach for our cosiest outdoor wear. Why not reach this year for the perfect Christmas Cape and spread a fashionable cheer? Step back in to a 1940’s British, elegant time warp and find yourself decadently wrapped in a snug, warm cape. I can promise you, you will not only feel dressed, but you will feel magically divine.

Above photograph: Christian Dior Haute Couture, circa 1948.

The beauty of the cape is it can be worn with virtually any outfit; dresses, jeans, pants of varying lengths, pencil skirts or a-lines. The list is endless. I have a tendency to feel draughty especially out here in California where, despite the slightly warmer weather for this time of year, the air-conditioned- ridden restaurants make me shiver. I simply sling my cape over my shoulders and problem solved Sherlock. Speaking of Sherlock, Holmes knew a good cape when he saw one!

Above: “Grand Duchess of Russia” gold embroidered velvet cape by D&G.

Go plain with a bold, neutral color if the adventurous, Italian, craft makers don’t quite bring out your confident side. Opt for this darling beige woolen cape (above) with bow knot for a mere bargain of $55.99!

Feel like making a statement at the work Christmas do? Then do. An exquisite knit cape is all you need. Dust off some dark stilettos with sheer stockings and let the rest do the talking.
Above: Knit cape by Chloé, available from Chloé boutique, Los Angeles, CA.

From vintage couture boutiques to modern day online steals, having a cape is a must and not being able to source one isn’t an option my dear readers. With Christmas around the corner and your social calendar getting fuller, take your inner fashionable goddess on a spree and indulge.

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Fiona!

Stripes. Love them or hate them. If you’re feeling the latter, let me sway you with this fabulous insight as to why stripes can be worn anywhere anytime. Take for example the unanimous lady above. Braving that Bob seems more the issue here than the stripes. All joking aside, note how the stripes are well balanced with the plain patches for pockets, collar and cuffs. This helps tone down the stripe and thus making it slightly easier on the eye.

Cèline’s design team has brought the pattern to the forefront of their Spring Summer ’16 collection. Almost Missoni-like but still has that seal of Céline class.

                              Above: An endless drip of stripes, by Céline.

A more dampened look below invites the eye to be drawn to the lower half of the outfit. It’s the perfect example of playing wild patterns down if you’re still a little shy or conservative in patterns.

Feeling bland and want to tune in to your stripey side? Splash out on the ole reliable black and white. What a lovely idea (below) mixing sizes and widths of such pattern. Add class and playfulness to your look. Be outrageous with the power of the stripe.

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Fiona!

Netaporter; what is it about you that makes everything seem so much better? Let’s start with the plaid (above). A little dull at first sight but just begin to zoom and scrutinise and you too, like me, will fall back in love with plaid again. I promise.

Above: Standing the test of time. Model wears Plaid Green Coat by Nina Ricci circa 1948. Note the cuff turn ups in perfect sync with sleeve.

Photographed below are these stylish New Yorkers spreading the plaid love. Note how they all neutralise the hectic print with an original trench casually slung over their shoulders. Don’t be afraid to tie in the socks with the main stream of color in your kilt!

Across the pond somewhere in Laura Bailey’s London, lie the perfect coupling of ceramic prints (see earlier blog) and tartan plaid {ref. The Huffington Post}. Again notice how she plays down the colors distally with the neutral beige and black. Now that’s a feast for anyone’s eyes.

Daks 2014 Fall collection portrayed continuous checkered effect with a stocking reveal under a mouth-watering, Victorian-inspired coat.

And it’s all thanks to Rupert and his mate who brought this blog to life and set in motion my appreciation for plaid, tartan and all things check. 

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Fiona!