Size matters (1)

Yesterday I began to debate the issue of size. I just don't understand why certain high street retailers, however they have positioned their brand, do not stock size 16 clothes.

This allows me to gratuitously use an image of Nigella Lawson -truly the most beautiful person I have ever had the pleasure to meet in the flesh. Whilst I always admire the poise and strict adherence to body discipline for clothes of Ms Wintour and Ms Roitfeld, I can't help but know the allure is due to their fashion credentials, whereas with Nigella it is simply the fact of beauty. She has a sheen due to beautiful skin, flowing tresses and flesh that is well ...flesh.
Whilst this isn't the best photo of Ms Lawson, you get the fullness of her figure and it reinforces the fact that retailers and some designers are failing to provided in ready to wear a size of clothing that is required - in the UK this is size 16. I didn't know whether to laugh (at) or rip up The Sunday Times's Style magazine article on couture week by Colin McDowell - I'll recreate the offending paragraph, where he basically grimaces because 'fat' people wear couture - quelle horreur!

"I visited the workrooms of a very famous couturier. The atmosphere was one of dedication and love as they cut the delicate fabrics and sewed on semiprecious stones. Then I noticed, lined up against a back wall, a group of grotesque figures. A second look and I realised that these were the Stockman mannequins on which clothes are fitted. Noting my look of alarm, my host said: “This is the reality behind the dream — couture is made to the exact measurements of our clients.” I knew that. And yet what a shock to see huge breasts, large bums and dropped stomachs replicated in foam padding. Thank goodness that, for most women, couture is still about dreams rather than reality. It is fashion’s original Cinderella story, offering all women a ticket to the ball, even if only in their imaginations"

Well in my imaginary world, size 16 would be mainstream in retail provision. I'm not going to pretend that size 18+ doesn't have some issues attached because whilst it won't be applicable for all, most people above size 16 regardless of height are entering into the realm of obesity.

I think most women deserve to have access to clothes in the high street, fashion is not about size it is about style, taste and choice.

Short shrift

Imagine my joy when Shane Watson gave her full backing to the wearing of shorts! It is a fact I always have a favourite journalist. For years every Saturday I would eagerly await the Weekend Guardian magazine for Julie Burchill's column. When she decamped to The Times magazine on a Saturday I didn't follow. By then I was fixed with my Saturday Guardian purchase. Luckily Shane Watson eventually filled the gap with her column in Style Magazine in The Sunday Times.

I still remain loyal to Lisa Armstrong on a Wednesday in The Times and defer to her on all manner of things fashion and I must confess to Jess Morley-Carter growing on me over the years but it is Shane that amuses me with her pronouncements on life.

Her do's and dont's are amusing particularly as I'm guilty of the khaki shorts with pockets aka geography field trip numbers. I'll ignore this given they look good and are jolly useful for accompanying the petit garcon out and about. The trick is to wear them with a white shirt in the style of style icon on a mission - think Audrey Hepburn, plus add ornate flats or espadrilles. To counter the pedestrian khaki shorts I have a fab short trusty white pair from Oasis many years ago, that work equally well with flats or heels. I must admit to being tempted by these flirty floral ones from Topshop.

Floral Shorts £32 Topshop

What is a concern is the legs. This is true for lots of women when veins rise to the surface and bruises seem to languish for eons. The answer is MAC face and body foundation mixed with strobe cream to give legs a more youthful sheen.

Anyway I'm off to take petit garcon to his swimming lessons in my geography field trip shorts but they are not a patch on his Ben 10 t-shirt!