The experts at fashion recommendation site Dressipi have come to our aid with a handy style guide for what to wear at the upcoming Internet Retailing Awards, to be held 664ft up at London’s Heron Tower on June 26. Challenged with a request for advice on high altitude dressing, Dressipi stylist Natalie Theo has come up with the essential lowdown.
by Natalie Theo
How do you negotiate your way around high style at high altitude? It’s all about attitude really and the criss-crossing steel structure that is the Heron Tower sets the style mood perfectly. Honestly, they really don’t mess around with those Internet Retailing Awards when it comes to the choice of locations. Croquet and sun-kissed views across London from the Cannon Bridge Roof Gardens may have stolen the show last year, but the glacial skyscraper of a building that is the Heron Tower has quite frankly come up trumps.
It’s a location with an architectural aim to “break out of the box”, at least that’s what it says on their website. So dispensing with last year’s advice for ladies to channel jackets in neutral tones and men to do a 007 without a tie (I seemed to have hit a raw nerve there as I was berated by an attendee or two) I am going to go with the “break out of the box” situation. And this means, think texture.
It’s all about texture this style season – which is a fabulous match for that metalwork of a building. Ladies, heavy tweeds seem to have morphed from a boxy winter classic into a lightweight summer must-have in cool biker style jackets and soft fluid boucle numbers, like this piece from By Marlene Birger. Even if you are doing head-to-toe black a little number like this will loosen up your look and still keep things chic from boardroom-to-bar. Mango and Topshop do some excellent high street variations. I’ve gone for a hot-hued fuschia dress by MaxMara and some cage-like heels (very Heron Tower) by Sam Edelman. Thinking out the box, this textured piece is perfectly versatile and will style up a fabulous jeans look for those of you who are not so keen on dresses for the evening. Get the high attitude at high altitude look by layering your jacket over this embellished t-shirt from H&M and pair with the shoe style of the season – a pointed court. Finally add a bit of metallic shimmer with this gold evening bag from Michael Kors.
Menswear – like technology – is enjoying its very own place in the sun at the moment. In fact the menswear collections are fast becoming the hottest tickets of the fashion calendar. So, as I said, I will dispense with all things 007, if I really have to. Thinking along the texture lines, a linen blazer is now no longer all about that crumpled and crinkled journalist-on-a-mission in Africa look. Over at mr-porter.com there are some fabulous soft-structured linen blazers by Richard James, which will give you that perfect high attitude-high altitude style. It’s that ideal mix of a touch of tailoring with a touch of texture that you are after. These pieces will sit perfectly when styled with a pair of jeans or a tailored trouser, depending on how laidback you want to go. Wild-coloured pocket squares always add a flourishing touch and ensure you don’t blend into those steely surroundings if you happen to be doing a top-to-toe grey look.
It’s quite an impressive location that’s been rustled up this year and the good thing is that with those spectacular views from so high up above hopefully no-one will notice if you haven’t had time to match your texture to your metallics, or to carefully contrast your pocket squares to your brogues. I can’t wait to give style advice when they decide to host these awards en route to outer space…
Natalie Theo is a stylist at Dressipi
Dressipi is offering one lucky Internet Retailing reader the chance to win their perfect cocktail dress, worth up to £150. To be in contention sign up for the fashion recommendation service through this link: http://dressipi.com/promo/IRBPA
To find out more about the Internet Retailing Awards click here.
