No longer just a fantasy for five-year-olds, fairytales can be enjoyed by every generation if you let yourself give in to the magic. Presenting the top five trends which have their base in storybooks.
CAPES
You know the cape, right? It popped up all over catwalks from Valentino to Chloe. It makes you feel beautiful, ethereal and elegant. All you have to do is swathe a cape over a dress or even jeans and it ramps up your look from ordinary to extraordinary. And that’s just the coat-cape. The other cape, the new one, the one that has everyone on the edge of their seats and proved its worth as the ultimate addition to an evening dress, is the long cape. It can propel a simple look to cult status and is worn by the world’s most stylish women – Gwyneth Paltrow and Nicole Richie to name a few.
If you haven’t yet added a cape to your repertoire, perhaps now is the time to invest. Whether it’s a fringed version from Spell Designs to lend a boho touch to your jeans, or a sophisticated number from Carla Zampatti to give extra wow factor to a cocktail dress, the cape is your go-to transformational piece this season. Oh, and did we mention it’s origins? Little Red Riding Hood, the Evil Queen in Snow White, Sleeping Beauty … must we go on?
PERSPEX AND MESH SHOES
Come now, you know where this is going. Cinderella, of course. She was the ultimate character with the original shoe obsession … no wonder we grew up dreaming about the perfect heel! I know I’ve spent many an overseas trip dedicating days to the shoe hunt (and countless nights online shopping with a glass of wine in hand back home) all in my quest for more shoes to add to my already burgeoning collection. So besides being to blame for every gal’s shoe obsession, Cinderella can also take credit for this season’s Perspex and mesh shoe trends. Yes, they can both be traced back to the glass slipper.
Being able to see your tootsies through the fabric is the peak of good styling this season, and naturally, is a reminder of the glass slippers our darling Cinderella wore to the ball. Thankfully, we don’t have to wait for a ball, nor a Prince Charming, to dance delightfully in our glass slippers. We can wear them anytime we damn well please.
BRAIDS
Plaiting your hair is an ordinary occurrence when you’re younger, but now, every woman worth her weight in Prada bags is well accustomed to the genius of a braid or two. No longer merely a playground necessity, braids have made an appearance on red carpets, catwalks and our favourite celebrities.
Whether it’s a fishbone plait, or a braid on the scalp, braids add a certain edge to any outfit. And of course, if it weren’t for Rapunzel and Pocahontas, we’d never be any the wiser. My favourite braid is saved for when I’m having a particularly bad hair day. Simply swish hair over to one shoulder and plait from the nape of the neck down. Add a chic hat and off you go: suddenly with great hair.
SHEER CHIFFON
The floaty feeling of light chiffon wafting around your body will be a familiar one this summer. From Burberry’s beautiful scarf-adorned dresses to completely sheer pieces from Alice McCall, the sheer trend has infiltrated every aspect of our wardrobes. And it comes directly from the legs of Princess Jasmine, who wore a lovely blend of light chiffon separates throughout her Aladdin adventures. No fabric can make a woman feel more magical or alluring and the popularity of the trend has ensured its longevity. Float through summer with sheer pants, maxi dresses and blouses in your very own rendition of Princess Jasmine’s inspiring strength.
PASTELS
Pick a colour, any colour to be seen in this season, from a baby soft shade of blush pink to a faded minty green or a light blue hue. The spectrum of colour to grace your hips over the coming months should be some kind of pastel. It feels light, bright, summery and oh, so right for this season. There’s nothing to instantly update your look than a carefully chosen pastel piece, which can be easily integrated into your existing wardrobe – pastel pieces look perfect with white and even each other. Inspired, naturally, by the whole lot of Disney princesses and their colourful costumes, which have captivated the hearts of little girls over the world. And, um, the big girls! Who says we have to grow up?
RED LIPS
They never go out of fashion, and have their origins in the pages of fairytales. From Snow White’s rosebud pout to Sleeping Beauty’s rosebud lips, it seems red lips are a Disney Princess requisite! What’s your interpretation of a rosebud mouth? Cherry? Pink? Red? The colour you choose is dependant on your skin tone. A strong red lip makes every outfit more stylish and dresses you up even if you’re wearing no other makeup. If you’re wearing a red lip, keep other makeup neutral. A good base and lashings of mascara is really all you need.
Which fairytale fashion looks do you rock? Tell us below!…
