Ask Alexandra - Tweeds at the races?

This weeks Ask Alexandra question is great for planning your ladies day outfits. 

It's Cheltenham race season this week, being still quite cold, what can I wear and not have my skin go pimply and turn blue? Are tweeds OK and what colours please?

Tweeds are the fabric of the equestrian world and a tailored look on a chilly race day at Cheltenham Festival will be far more chic that trying to pretend its Spring in florals. 

Take inspiration from the great French labels, Chanel does tweeds to perfection with her classic suits and teamed with a Hermes scarf would be divine.
For an androgynous look, Biba did it perfectly in the 1970s with fitted waistcoats and wide leg trousers with a neat shirt and tie 1920s style. There are so many ways to make tweed look beautiful. 

I've had a look through the ladies day galleries of the past few years and have devised a few rules that should help you avoid looking like horsey trollop. 

1. No super short skirts for Cheltenham. Its not summer, not a night club and the hooker look doesn't quite work for day events. 

2. Make sure you can walk in your heels!  Try a pair of heeled brogues, laced boots or take inspiration from the 1920s with a firm heel. Wobbling on stilettos in a field just makes you look dumb.

3. no boot - skirt gap as this just makes you look like an elephant in wellies with thick knees. Horrible.

4. Fascinators are wrong at the races. Wear a proper hat, tipped back on a tilt to show off your face.

5. Don't go mad. It's great fun dressing up but remember races are a day event. Subtlety and matching goes a long way. 

Have a fabulous time at the races, we'll answer your summer questions in a few weeks on the run up to Ascot ladies day. 

This lady took inspiration from Chanel for the 2015 Cheltenham Festival. Take away the fussyness of the necklace and ponytail and its gorgeous.

Chanel 1950s

Marion Cotillard in a perfect hat

1950s elegant tweed and veiled hat

1940s ladies in tweeds

Dita Von Teese

Biba Tweeds.

1970s does 1920s tailoring - Image from Barefoot Vintage

Ask Alexandra - How to Wear the Tulle Ballerina Skirt

 This weeks question was one I've heard and read so many times.

How do I wear those tulle ballerina skirts without looking like a fairy or a ballerina? 

Firstly, If you're not comfortable with the idea of wearing a ballerina skirt then maybe just walk away. You don't have to wear anything you don't want to.

Secondly, NO you don't want to look like a fairy, but not wanting to look like a ballerina? The most beautiful of all creatures in the world? Really?

The ballet skirt is now a wardrobe staple and can be worn so many ways on so many days.

The tulle ballet skirt is designed to be all about femininity. The design is taken from classical ballets like Giselle which is all about romance and ethereal beauty.

Take style inspiration from the world of ballet. Think strong, lean and elegance. You don't need to go full bubblegum and it's all about balancing the proportions. If you're more curvy in figure try a full circle tulle skirt instead of the bell shape to smooth the line or a sheer tulle skirt with a pencil skirt underneath creating illusions.

Teaming it with strong contrasts like a black crop top, bralet or bodysuit work well.  I love wearing mine with a plaid shirt and it looks great for day with a belted knit sweater (this can be a little tricky).
Think about proportions, the skirt is very full so wear a tightly fitted top making sure the smallest part of your waist is defined so you don't turn into a ball.

You can find our tulle ballet skirts and tops here.

Here are a few looks to get you started .....

Ask Alexandra - Styling The Sunflower Dress

Vintage style advice from Ask Alexandra. 

We have two great styling questions this week on how to wear a dress like the Sunflower dress. 

Hello Alexandra,

I do so love the new Sunflower dress, so perfect and welcoming for Spring.  Please can you help with ideas on how to wear in more casual settings, sadly people don't always 'dress' for evening events.  I am planning a race night that will be busy and active.  What shoes and maybe some shoulder covering.  Audrey Hepburn always looked just right in her full skirts whatever the setting, but I am not Audrey Hepburn! 

Well hello 'not Audrey Hepburn'! You're not going to feel very great if you think like that!

The sunflower dress is quite a formal cocktail dress but the races do call for some flamboyance. 

For shoes take style inspiration from the great Audrey with ballet flats, they always look pretty, keep feet looking small and you can run around all you like, even dance!

To make this more casual and with shoulder covering try teaming a cocktail dress with a sweater. I shrunk my husbands sweater for this occasion and it works well.
Or try layering with a long cardigan or the classic wrap dress. Something that is the same length would be better then how I've styled this but knitwear does add a lovely contrast to the textures.

Wear full makeup (smart/casual doesn't mean sloppy) and just remember 

Audrey Hepburn was Audrey Hepburn, and you must be YOU. Both can be fabulous. 

And our Second question.

Hi, Please can you advise on what underwear is best for wearing with Sunflower dress neckline and exposed back.  How can I keep secure. 
Also, I don't have a good neckline, how can I disguise this problem, yet still enjoy this style and design.
Good underwear for strapless dresses is essential. We are proud to say that our dresses don't fall down as they are securely boned with internal stays to keep everything where it should be.

However for extra security and shape we recommend The Wonderbra Ultimate Strapless Bra. It has little hands that hold onto your assets and push them skywards!
Alternatively with low backs try the What Katy Did Cabaret Bustier which has gorgeous vintage styling. And remember the matching knickers, no one like a miss-match under a dress.

If you are feeling a little insecure about your neckline, don't be. Many women are conscious of this area but look back to the forties and fifties and women of all ages embraced a strapless design showing off their shoulders. Look to the stunning Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard  crazy but so elegant. Also look to Advanced Style for inspiration, these women knock the pop socks off youth!

I layered the Sunflower dress below with a long sleeved bodysuit. The v neckline still shows some skin and doesn't make you feel so exposed whist keeping the main focus on the dress and you.

At the end of the day, take care of your body and you can wear whatever you like until any age.
Wear sunscreen!

I hope this advice was of some help to you? I can't wait for your new questions. Ask me anything at alexandra@alexandra-king.com