HAYLEY BLOOMINGDALE argues the case for sartorial abandon, this season and beyond
In the first week after I moved from New York to Britain, I was invited to a birthday party. The invitation didn’t specify any sartorial requirements, but it was in the private room of a trendy restaurant. I’m always looking for an excuse to wear something fabulous bought on a whim, and this celebration seemed a great justification for the black ruffled Brock Collection dress I had splurged on. Confident in my choice of the ankle-length dress and a pair of leopard-print mules, I strutted into Salon in Brixton—and met a sea of jeans and blazers, nary a high heel in sight.
Okay, so some quick Google groundwork might have informed me that Brixton is not Belgravia. London’s post codes all have their own dress code; just another of the unwritten social rules I’ve learned. But here’s the thing: even if I had known that cocktail dresses and mules don’t fly in south London, I probably would have worn the same thing. Simply put, I’d much rather be over-dressed than under-dressed.
Why settle for less when the compliments keep coming? And on that night in particular, I didn’t even need to do a changeroo when the party headed to a private members’ club with strict rules on attire.
This story is from the December 2017 edition of VOGUE India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2017 edition of VOGUE India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Real Deal
Triptii Dimri's unfiltered spirit shines through as she races ahead on her journey to the field of stars.
Mrs.Prada
Almost everyone refers to Miuccia Prada in the most formal of ways, but she herself has never been one to stand on ceremony. WENDELL STEAVENSON meets a designer who has built an empire in her own image: iconic, iconoclastic and enormously influential.
Happily ever laughter
South Asians have long clamoured for a seat at the comedy table. Now, Vidura BR, Sabeen Sadiq, Hari Kondabolu and Abby Govindan are in on all the jokes
Anchors aweigh
Having moved houses almost every year of her life, KALYANI ADHAV's experiences are proof that home is not a place, it's a feeling
Console sisters
India's female gamers are rewriting the age-old narrative that views women as objects of desire or damsels in need of saving.
Soft serve
His untimely disappearance from the big screen nine years ago may have caused serious heartburn, but Imran Khan is ready to pick up where he left off-with a few upgrades.
The end of olitter?
Or are we just at the beginning—of a new era of microplastic-free, perfectly-healthy-to-eat sparkle. TAMAR ADLER reports on glitz to feel good about
Smooth operator
Can retinol pack the wrinkle-reducing power without the irritation? Chloe Malle test-drives a new generation of kinder formulas rebooting the superstar skincare ingredient
The great gamble
At the Gucci Ancora showcase in Singapore, Vogue India got within a hair’s breadth of Sabato De Sarno’s debut collection. ROCHELLE PINTO reports on the new direction
Blue jean baby
LEE X Suneet Varma's collaboration featuring Sara Ali Khan merges classic denim with Indian couture.