Get in touch with your feminine side

Sep 1 2007 by Hannah Davies, The Journal

The catwalks have been full of romance this summer, Hannah Davies reports

THIS year, fashionistas have bought into the masculine trend, sported the boyfriend’s jeans, and worked waistcoats and trilbies to the max. But sometimes, it’s lovely to just dress like a lady – and the romantic trend is the perfect way to flaunt your feminine whiles.

Penelope Cruz is a firm fan of the romance trend on the red carpet, Sarah Jessica Parker is never far away from floaty chiffons and feminine shoes and Mischa Barton adores her girly shift dresses.

Follow the celebs and revel in romance.

Frills and spills

Put a bit of drama into your wardrobe.

There’s no better way to go head over heels with the romance trend than flirting with soft frills.

“Find your feminine side in frothy frills and pretty pastels,” says Claudia Croft, fashion editor at Style magazine.

“Cascading frills and sheer girly layers – summer’s romantic trend celebrates all that is feminine.”

Maria Grachvogel’s designer range for Oli is full of romantic frills and ruffles.

Try the red ruffle dress, £89, to make a statement, or for super-girly cuteness ace the trend in ASOS’s Killah ruffle card print dress, £75.

For everyday wear look to Red Herring’s white ruffle frill tunic top, £30, at Debenhams, Topshop’s frill front sleeveless tunic, £35, or cinch in an old blouse from the back of your wardrobe with Matalan’s bow belts, £3, to add instant femininity to your ensembles.

Blooming gorgeous

The spring/summer catwalks were simply blooming with romance.

Claudia explains: “Models wore floral headresses and frill-trimmed cotton dresses and carried enormous shopper bags filled with freshly cut flowers. Alexander McQueen went one step further, showing a dress made entirely from fresh blooms.”

Get into floral romantic fever with Betty Jackson. Black floral dress, £85, at Debenhams, Phase Eight’s silk chiffon flame and cream floral dress, £120, or Next’s floral printed bow shirt, £35.

Claudia has this advice when seeking out romantic floral pieces: “Look for soft, faded floral prints, lace trims and vintage lingerie-inspired details.”

You can always achieve a touch of floral flair with accessories. Look to Star by Julien Macdonald’s floral beaded clutch, £25, at Debenhams, or Dune’s floral Perfume platforms, £70, and matching clutch bag, £40.

Plain and simple

Opt for pale neutrals with feminine hints of lace, embroidery or beading for subtle romancing.

A lace trim or a touch of broderie anglaise instantly adds girly innocence to any outfit. Go classical in white or cream shades such as Miss Selfridge’s cream cutwork dress, £50, ASOS’s Luxe bead silk dress, £75, or Wallis’s ivory cotton lace tunic lace dress, £60.

Romantic blouses will work for upcoming autumn/winter trends. Try Matalan’s bow tie blouse, £14, or a pleated pussy-bow blouse at Dorothy Perkins, £25, or for a classic cami, look to Monsoon’s Belize lace-trim camisole, £32.

For party pieces, try the Debenhams Debut gold lace dress, £70, or Warehouse’s blue jet bead applique dress, £65.