The Best Dressed of the Month

OF THE MONTH JULY

Every month, I have the fabulous task of compiling a best dressed list. I attend some fabulous events, sort through hundreds of photos from the past month to find the best of the best. I do a roundup of events that played host to some of the most sartorially savvy, polished, eclectic, and stylish of dressers. July saw the

Gratiaen Prize awards ceremony. The Gratiaen Prize is an annual literary prize for the best work of literary writing in English by a resident of Sri Lanka. It was founded in 1992 by the Sri Lankan-born Canadian novelist

Michela Ondaatje. The launch of resort-wear brand Page by Page, this new truly Sri Lankan label offers figureflattering silhouettes, features Batik prints, bright tones and irreverent contrasts. Fabienne Francotte showcased

“Being the Other” at the Saskia Fernando Gallery. Subdued glamour seemed to be on trend for July, looks were a bit more subdued, heat combative and a monochrome palette seeemed to be the go to style choice for the city’s fashionistas! The people on my list impressed with their style, their poise, their ability to pull a unique look together and were the most soigne of the soigne for the month. These style mavens know how to turn heads. There was no shortage of fashion hits from this most fashionable month and I look forward to seeing how our city’s sartorially savvy bring more stylish looks in August.

Once summer arrives, there seems to be no occasion when a crisp white dress doesn’t work for; trips to the beach, spontaneous picnics and nights out on the town. A simple white dress might not seem like much, but the perfect one can be a cure-all for style problems.—the beauty of it is in its pure versatility. Add some oomph to a simple white frock with curious waistlines, oversized sleeves, delicate cutwork and unexpected hemlines which will all serve to elevate the design from pretty to full of punch. The white dress allows for endless accessorising options. Just swap your shoes and top it off with a summer bag of your choosing, and your white dress will feel like new every time. Stay safe with neutrals or instantly breathe new life into simpler versions with metallic or with clever details.

Edgy and cool are the vibes she’s giving off, with this monochrome look, paired with a simple white tank it works in tropical weather while adding cool through her black mules and Gucci padlock bag. The jumpsuit, a de rigueur fashion staple of the Sixties and the Eighties, is so firmly back on the fashion radar. It is a one-piece, ergo it is lengthening, slimming, it's all sleek sophistication, a piece that's versatile and no-fuss. You don't have to worry about shirts and tops coming adrift. There is no finickity working out of proportions, because that's been done for you. It has all the virtues of a dress, with one major advantage: it is a pair of trousers.

There is no other colour that is so fundamental, so fused to our primal, human instinct than red. Red takes no prisoners. It is emphasis itself, the stop sign, the alert, the alarm, the danger, the sex, the passion, the incitement, the excitement. It’s the colour of kings and queens, war and empire, theatre and power. It’s the colour of life and action, Red is adrenaline and fireworks and as such the secret to wearing it successfully is to choose longer rather than shorter lengths and looser fits, like this.

This Page by Page ensemble evokes white sand beaches and pristine turquoise bays, the sunny days, that Sri Lanka is known for. It’s young, fresh, fun and pleated to create beautiful movement and volume.