I’ll always wear it my way
Rules are made to be broken – and none more than those that dictate what we can and cannot wear. Take seasonal colour edicts. If you like them, own them, but if you don’t, simply bask in your pared-back wardrobe, like many of the fashion greats.
If only etiquette were as straightforward.
Recently, I was lucky enough to bag one of those dream plane seats: near the front, next to the window with plenty of leg room. Feeling chuffed, I was about to start reading my novel when the passenger allocated the seat beside me (a middle-aged American bloke) appeared. As a woman, I find there are certain people – always men in my case – who think they have an automatic right to your nice seat. This guy thrust his ticket in my face and charmlessly asked that I swap with his wife, who was in an aisle seat a few rows back.
Now, I’m not a meanie; earlier this summer, I happily gave up my better seat so that a man could sit with his children, and flew home wedged into a corner, away from my own family. But I was not in the mood for this guy. Why didn’t he swap his own good seat to go and sit beside his wife? I replied with a polite ‘sorry’, explaining that my own husband was already sitting several rows back. He looked shocked, clearly not used to anyone refusing to bend to his will, then turned and shouted to his wife – and everyone else on the plane – ‘I tried Cathy, I tried. I just wanted to let you know. I tried.’
Astonishingly, his wife came over soon after and started stroking his inner leg to see if that would persuade me to move. Inhaling deeply, I ordered a G&T and gazed out of the window. The truth is, sometimes being nice or following certain etiquette just gets you a rubbish seat in life.
And on that rebellious note, back to fashion, and the rules to enjoy breaking this season…
Mixing navy and black Parisians, Phoebe Philo and the Olsen sisters at The Row have trashed this outdated no-no. A navy cashmere sweater, smart black jeans and black loafers come together for an elegant outfit.
Wearing flats to a party Ballet pumps and Mary Janes are now just as chic as heels and are big players this autumn. Expect flats galore on red carpets.
Wearing black at a wedding This is not the Victorian era and black is no longer reserved for funerals. Nor will it curse the happy couple.
Gender assigned clothes Snore! I love a tux – and a trouser suit. And boys in feather boas. Whatever it takes.