Austerity Measures

Crisis, what crisis?

Watching the pictures coming in from London Fashion Week it’s great to see that the economic downturn hasn’t impacted on the glamour stakes.

There were sequins and heels to high heaven, but is it all a mirage of gloss, lacquer and fake fur? The celebrities paraded like expensive peacocks, preening and shimmering in the paparazzi’s bulbs. Although it has to be said that looking ‘expensive’ is more about understated chic rather than flashy-trashy.

The trick to pulling off recession proof looks whether it be front row or on the morning school run is quite simply about preparation! A blow dry and manicured nails go a long way! Let’s look to the first Duchess of demure for inspiration – Kate. Lessons can be learnt from her flawless approach to aristocratic dressing. Her glossy mane is full and voluminous, her pins are slim and toned and her nails are short and polished. Yes, K-Midd is lady-like, elegance personified, but it’s rumoured that fashion critics have duped her the “Discount Duchess” in reference to her frugal re-wearing of fashion.

So what does this mean in the real world? The trick is investing in classic pieces that are timeless. There’s no point in buying cheap and cheerful items that you will tire of in a week. It’s about being selective with your purchases. Take my recent investment buy, a ‘Magee’ shooting jacket, it works in an urban and country setting and will still be keeping me warm 20 years from now. So my theory is that the cost per wear ratio is an absolute bargain!

Seasonal investment buys are a must and might I suggest regular E-Bay sales or agency shop clear outs of your old ‘unloved’ items to make space and much needed funds for the new.

Cost-conscious shouldn’t mean a style sacrifice, so don’t feel guilty for being a Duchess, it’s important to strive for regal excess. Burn the fleece, ditch the 'Only way is Essex', upgrade your earrings and get a monthly manicure and if I see you sporting a fake tan, fake nails or fake lashes…sharp intake of breath – there will be trouble, I think it might mean treason. Bex Bella

One Love: tropical skies

When it's snowing at home a week in Saint Lucia has been the perfect winter escape. Tropical print bikinis, cool kaftans for sipping rum cocktails in and bright hues of nail varnish helped raise the temperatures to a humid 30+
I packed light and bright with bikinis and sun dresses, leaving all heels and sequins at home.

To a Marley soundtrack I have explored smugglers coves and seen wealthy Europeans on pristine plastic beaches. The volcanic sulphur mud spas of Soufriere were hot

hot hot and left the skin feeling silky smooth. Captain Typhoon took a boat trip to Pigeon Island and we snorkelled in a sun drenched bay with 'Nemos' and turtles.

Although the coconut palm trees and poolside chat have been uplifting, the real hi light for me was undoubtedly horse riding bare back in the crystal clear Caribbean waters with a young local guide of 20 named 'Alpha Maxon Signal' we galloped along the beach at pace on 'Spartacus' a dappled grey pony and 'Opal' a tall bay mare. I could not have been happier. Although he wanted to 'make me his woman' which was tempting as he offered 40 horses as part of the dowry but I politely declined in favour of a poolside rum punch and escaped with 2 beaded bracelets from his pushy sales compatriots at a bar we visited 'to rest' the horses (read rip off the tourist).

With sun blushed limbs I've soothed any bare foot riding cuts and bruises (not to be advised) with fresh Aloe gel squeezed from the plant and a pamper session in the spa. I'm feeling very jet setty waiting for a helicopter connection to a flight back to a forecasted UK winter wonderland. The stray cats have been fed and befriended, the limbo has been performed and I feel thoroughly refreshed.
One love.
BexBella

If I could, I definitely would

I inherited expensive tastes from my grandmother 'Sally' who I project as a slideshow as a slideshow of elegance. I remember houndstooth check skirts, shiny court shoes and Chanel perfume, coiffed hair and singing 'supercalifragilistic' together in the lounge looking out of the bay window into the drizzly northern sky.

I recently shopped in Burberry and swanned around in bone and porcelain coloured trench coats. I pranced about like a giddy gazelle in liquid foundation shades of sand and beige. Then I saw the most heavenly knit & fur combo & I can't get the look out of my head. Like a department store fragrance it reeks of expense, understated glamour a ticket to chic-dom. The chunky knit & fur is exquisite..the cost well..coughs..sighs..it's a mere £1,1295 but I have to say if I had the money it would be worth every penny.


Recession and budgets have meant a need to curb my fashion enthusiasm but aspirational fashion is part of the point. We covet things of beauty that find pockets of posession in our wardrobes, they are loved and lived in and form part of the story of our fashion lives.

BexBella