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Bolero jacket €54, Monsoon
October 3, 2010
VOL 27 NO 40
Ciara Elliott's Trend Report: The Lace Dress
Black lace dress €629, Paddy Campbell at Diffusion, Clontarf, Dublin
Shoes €495, Dolce & Gabbana at Brown Thomas
Leather gloves from A/Wear
Fitflop's boot
McQueen bracelet from net-a-porter
State of lace
From the image of the doleful, black eye-linered gangster moll to burlesque diva Dita Von Teese on her wedding day, we’ve all had that ‘I want a lace dress’ moment and none more so than when we spied this particular beauty by Pucci for the new season.
With its just-sexy-but-not-slutty length and its beautiful figure- hugging shape, not to mention that length of lacy arm, this dress eases the pain of the slushy grey days ahead and puts me in the mood for nights out on the town and the beginning of the official party season ahead.
October always makes me think of Hallowe’en – definitely my favourite party time of year – and the fact that gothic glamour is so huge again means we can revisit some of the best dress-up parties we’ve ever been to.
Designers like Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana and Christopher Kane all championed gothic-style black lace cut into dresses and fitted tops with miniskirts or trousers for this season but you can find similarly glamorous numbers everywhere from Reiss to a/wear to Asos. This Paddy Campbell dress from Diffusion is a real winner for evenings out and is a definite wardrobe banker for years to come. Just add a classic envelope-shape clutch bag and an animal print coat for instant '60s' femme fatale.
Moving beyond the lace dress, I love this little throw-on bolero from Monsoon which would look great with a high-belted, floor-skimming maxi skirt. And these Dolce & Gabbana lace shoes are on many a fashion editor's wishlist this season, including my own. Their not-so-high mid-heel means they're a little understated and prim but their cobwebby surround gives them the edge.
All dressed up and nowhere to go? I’m off to knock on some doors and find a party.
Shopping Audit
* We're loving bright gloves
So pink! So Doris Day! But does it go with colour du jour camel? We don't actually care. €20, a/wear
* We're not sure about fitflop's superboot
We've reached the conclusion that Fitflops are the George Foreman Grills of footwear – they do actually work but they'll still end up gathering dust somewhere in your gaff
* We're lusting after a McQueen skull bracelet
Everyone needs something by the late great designer in their wardrobe. This piece of pure gothic glamour is €200, from net-a-porter
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