If you actually have a waistline, it’s pretty important for your dress (or coat or shirt) to have one too. Designers sometimes forget this but luckily, the Autumn Winter 12/13 shows included plenty of beautifully feminine silhouettes, without going overboard into power dressing meets dominatrix territory.
It starts with a coat, like this Virgin Wool Tailored Top Coat in Bright Chestnut by Burberry (shown here with a separate fur collar and bow belt). The nipped in waist, big buttons and ruched pockets give the appearance of elegant curves.
Dior Ready To Wear combined one of my favourite hues – mauve – with one of my favourite patterns – houndstooth – on a structured stretch wool satin jacket. A surprise grey beanie hat and silk satin organza skirt softened and lightened the jacket’s hard lines.
Almost every look at Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti AW12 was cinched in with an embellished belt or fitted band of some kind – making even outfits with knee length hemlines, collared necklines and capped sleeves look effortlessly sexy.
And in amongst the voluminous carefree dresses at Chloe, there was this silk twill jumpsuit with a billowing bottom half but a tidy band beneath the bow detail sparing the model’s blushes. Show-stopping.
