(See what we did there? Like the love child of ‘Got milk’ and ‘You’ve been tangoed’)
Laura Reynolds looks at the hype surrounding the collaboration.
Just a week to go until the man in red arrives...
Since the fashion we adorn ourselves with is an expression of our personalities and what we have to offer, why not style ourselves to convey we are datable, stable relationship material? Perhaps then there's a chance for romance, regardless of the month or a disappointing first date.
“Court me, you fool!”
Often my friends and I watch films like Sense and Sensibility or Pride and Prejudice in awe, and I think many girls, like myself, see this as the ideal setting for true romance to blossom, but in this day and age it seems increasingly unlikely.
However, I think the key point regarding "ladies who lunch" (whose occupation is to be ladylike and who appear to believe whole-heartedly in the phrase “Make tea, not war”), is that they hold themselves elegantly in their style.
Never will a lady falter and mention aloud in the ladies toilets that their bum looks big in their dress from every which angle. Instead they float naturally with elegance and their feminine silhouettes always seem to gleam in the afternoon sun.
Not forgetting the fine young gentlemen, of course: dressed to the nines in white gloves, smart trouser suits and top hats, they look incredibly suave.
It seems dressing to impress is the way forward, especially if in a romantic Austen novel or in a period drama television programme. Let’s think though, how this actually translates into the real world.
Campus clothes
So, how does one come by style and elegance on a university campus?
The short answer to this is that one doesn't. One will not ever ‘come by’ style, but could be presented with opportunities that one must learn to grab. Usually, university students are expected to rely on staple pieces (the hoody, jeans and trainers combination) and in the evenings the ladies might put on a nice top and the guys a shirt and the trusty jeans to go out in.
Ask yourself: do trendy people on campus seem to only wear ‘campus clothes’? A hoody on a particularly difficult morning after the rough night before, or an uncombed hairdo in a 9:15 lecture is understandable: every student is entitled to a morning or two like that. But ladies and gentlemen will not be so easily forgiven.
What might help make the same tiresome ensembles a little more refreshed and appealing? What about cool shoes or trainers, statement trousers or, if you’re willing to ditch the hoody most days of the week, well-fitted jackets for both males and females? The casual skirt or dress for girls wouldn’t go amiss and is a quick tick in the femininity box…
Confidence is key
The best thing to do after choosing a different style or adding a daring piece to your wardrobe is to run with it. Look back at ruffles which were originally worn by gentlemen and adopted later by ladies, the bustle, hobble dress (in which you are forced to take tiny steps) and other memorable styles from the 1800s through to today. An entertaining short programme called"Sense and Nonsense" discusses all of these, so brush up on your fashion history.
It is interesting that flash in the pan fashions are often those that don’t do much for the wearer’s confidence. If you feel attractive in a well-fitting outfit, you are probably more likely to look it. By all means, wear something clingy and daring that shows off your shape. But, keep modestly covered up. I’m sure you’ve seen people in town mistaking flashing lots of flesh with bravery. Not classy in the slightest, as classy men and women are well aware.
Remember when attempting to catch your Darcy or Miss Elizabeth that the more often you make an effort, the sooner you might pick up your next year’s Valentine when you least expect. Go on, impress yourself!
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