Monday 2 May 2011

This season's Must-Have accessory

The blissful, extended Bank Holiday weekend is stretching on forever here in sun-baked Britain, and in our house we're slowly getting buried in drifts of newspaper featuring a photographic record of just about every imaginable aspect of Friday's Royal Wedding. Usually I don't have time to do more than scan the headlines and snatch a wistful glance at the Travel section of the weekend papers, but with The Book off my desk (for the time being at least) and nothing more pressing to do than laze around in the sun I seem to have inadvertently become a bit of an expert on the whole occasion. If you want to know what Wills really whispered to Kate's father when they arrived at the altar, or the history of the blue Aston Martin in which they left the reception, I'm probably your woman.

I now feel pretty well qualified to give my own little fashion round-up of the event, and have concluded that while hats (apparently fixed with a drawing pin to the centre of the forehead) may be enjoying a bit of a moment, the thing to be seen in this year is cheap, easily available outside of Bond Street, and transforms any outfit. It is, ladies, The Smile. Let's see who was in on fashion's hottest secret...



And who wasn't...


.


Oh dear. Who's going to break it to Mrs B that the bored, pouty look is so last year?

Tomorrow it's finally back to school and normality. This will be a bit of a shock, since today everyone here was still in bed at the time when daughter #3 would usually be having morning playtime, but, in the light of my research, am planning to finish off my usual school-run look (consisting of whatever's been left draped over the end of the bed in the last few days and wild-woman hair) with a dazzling smile, a la Middleton ladies. Potential to look slightly deranged is definitely there, but am going to give it a go. It's been that kind of week.

9 comments:

Morton S Gray said...

Deranged is definitely the word for me - with all of these holidays I don't know what day of the week it is! Added to that I've signed up for Sally Quillford's 80,000 words in 80 days challenge. I really enjoyed the Royal Wedding, enhanced by messages from Twitter buddies. It is lovely for us to have something positive in the news for a change. Hope return to routine goes smoothly for you. I've just put out D's school uniform ready for tomorrow and even polished his shoes. Enjoy your book break. Mx

Jane said...

I woke up at 5 in the morning to watch the wedding. I'm dying to see what your hat collection looks like, India.

Nas said...

I loved the photos of all the smiles you captured! And a not so smiling photo as well. Ohhh, I love the contrast in that, David, sigh...

Unknown said...

I know just how you feel Morton. In a way I'll be glad to get back to normal, although this week has been utterly fabulous - like Christmas, but with gorgeous weather and no pressure to shop/wrap/cook. Very best of luck with the 80k in 80 days challenge - it sounds so do-able, but will be difficult to sustain, I predict. (Maltesers will be needed, and plenty of them.) Keep us posted on progress!!

Jane, I LOVE it that you got up so early to join the wedding madness. Did you enjoy it? And what about the hats? Tara Palmer-Tompkinson (in royal blue and looking like a Star Wars character) and Princess Beatrice (horned animal - should know better) It was a feast for the eyes!

Nas, I know! David, rocking the smile and looking gorgeous but Victoria... Ah well. And I could have chosen any one of about 50 photos of the sulky Mrs Beckham too, so it wasn't just an unfortumate moment. Must admit, it's nice to see the Queen smiling as so often she looks solemn, but she must be feeling genuinely over the moon about how the world has responded to the wedding. It was a lovely day.

Ros said...

To be fair to Victoria Beckham, she is several months pregnant, wearing heels as high as a small child and going to be stuck in a church without the chance of going to the loo for hours. I'm not surprised she's keeping everything clenched.

Jane said...

I was more interested in learning about Tara's new nose and her past problems. Some were saying she wore that showy hat to draw attention away from her nose.

Kate Hewitt said...

I know the answers to those questions! I became a little obsessed on Friday :) And I agree with you, a smile is by far the best accessory. That and incredibly good posture, which I also noticed those lovely ladies had. Congrats on the book being off the desk!

Unknown said...

Ah Ros, you're so much nicer than I am!

Jane, opinion seems to be divided about whether the hat distracted attention from THE NOSE or acted like a great big bright blue arrow, pointing right to it. I felt the whole ensemble was a bit Doctor Who somehow, but then that is very popular at the moment so perhaps that's not a bad thing? Princess Letizia of Spain was the best dressed there, I thought. She looked absolutely stunning.

Kate, I believe the rigid corsetry of the dress was partly responsible for that perfect posture. Must dig out the steel-boned corset I bought for fancy dress a couple of years ago...

Sharon Kendrick said...

Yes, I thought Princess Letizia looked amazing - that gorgeous cloche....