Thursday 28 April 2011

How To: The Messy (Beehive) Side Ponytail

Joanna Goddard of A CUP OF JO has a cute little tutorial on how to create the perfect summer-swept casual do: the Beehive messy pony tail. Check out her hair tutorials HERE.

1. Start with day-old hair...meaning it's been a day since you've washed it. (If you must wash your hair, then use a volumizing spray to add oomf; and if your hair is oily, use a French dry shampoo to build body and texture.) Now make a deep side part on one side of your hair. You can use a rat-tail comb to get an extra straight part.
2. Backcomb the top quarter of your hair. Basically, brush the hair downwards toward your scalp so it's sort of frizzy and can stand on its own.
3. Gently brush the very top layer of your hair to make it smooth on the top. That way, all the backcombing will be hidden under the layer that you brushed. Still, don't brush too much, you want it a little messy.
4. Take the entire backcombed section and pin it behind your head. To make it secure, place the bobby pins in an "X."
5. Now take all your hair and put it in a low ponytail at the nape of your neck. Tighten the rubber band as tight as you can. This will help "push" your hair up, creating more volume at the top.
5. You can either leave the rubber band exposed, or hide it by taking a small half-inch section of hair from the ponytail and wrapping it around the rubber band. Take a small bobby pin and pin the hair to the rubber band.
6. Rough up the ponytail with your fingers to match the texture at the top of your hair. Use the same motion as you did to back comb, but use your fingers instead, since this will create a messy texture but will be softer and gentler than using a comb. Remember, this look isn't about perfection; it looks best slightly messy.

Wednesday 27 April 2011

French VOGUE 1969

DIOR                                        LANVIN                                  LAROCHE

FERAUD                                    GIVENCHY                              CHANEL

via Classic Style of Fashion

Cocktail hour by Hybrid via ASOS

We stumbled across these lovely dresses the other day on ASOS, one of our favourite online mega-shops. These amazing dresses from HYBRID are one part Roland Mouret, one part Herve Leger, and 100% class. This is how a lady should do sexy; keeping it just below the knee, showing plenty of curves and little skin. Let's rely on shape and tailoring for just the right amount of sex appeal and class. Just throw that hair up (under a turban if you're daring enough), pair with killer pumps, red nails and lipstick, throw on a piece of vintage chanel jewelery and *poof* its cocktail hour.

And best of all, they're just $153. Lady chic for us all.


TOP 1. Contrast Wrap Bust Dress / 2.  Sweetheart Neck Dress
MIDDLE 1. Contrast Piping Detail Belted Dress / 2. Wrap Bust V Neck Dress
BOTTOM 1. Sleeveless Tie Front Dress / 2. Belted Dress With Contrast Collar

THEN & NOW red and white

Vogue 1956                                                Vogue Australia 2011

Tuesday 26 April 2011

Inspiration for Kate Middleton's wedding gown, Part I

The royal wedding is in three days...... thank God. The intense media circus around the nuptials has been completely over the top, no doubt spurred on by the intense secrecy surounding the event. Of course the most top secret of all is the dress. We are hoping Kate opts for something a bit more daring that her normally conservative and minimal choices (would it kill a girl to put on a pair of statement earrings? what about a brooch?). (Perhaps she should take a cue from the future Princess of Monaco Charlene Wittstock, who seems to have perfected the art of lady-like accessorizing). 

This is only the single most talked about dress in human history.....and perhaps it is inevitable that it will be a huge anti-climatic let down for all fashionistas. And while every blogger and their dog has speculated on the designer and drawn lists of potential dresses they would love to see the bride in- here at the Lady Book we would simply like to offer some vintage inspiration to the bride.
The dress must ere on the conservative and cover the lady up in true royal style.... so where better to look than to the past, before the strapless, low back, fish tail wedding dress hit the scene?


Why just add length when you can add height? Let's add some volume to the veil....



White gloves and a pill-box hat?................sigh. if only.
images via dovima is devine

Monday 25 April 2011

Fashion advice for tall women from the 1960s

"Most important to the success of being beautifully tall is the proper attitude."

Some delightful fashion advice for tall women from a 1960s pamphlet which still holds true today. Please note that skyscrapper hats and upswept hairdo's are recommended, as is letting short men open doors and help you with your coat. Very High Fashion indeed.

And remember tall ladies: never be apologietic about your height!


via Millie Motts

Lisa Cant for Vanity Fair Italy


Lisa Cant for Vanity Fair Italy, February 2011

Sunday 24 April 2011

Bug eyed

Vogue 1939

Round sunglasses have of late had a revival of sorts (thank you Oslen twins and Lady Gaga) and are a refreshing change from the wayfarers and over-sized 70s shades that have dominated for way too long. While they may seem like annoying Hipster territory and can make you look kind of peculiar and bug-eyed, round sunnies have been sported by chic Ladies for years and years........ Please pair with matching red lips and nails. and voila. 

1968


via Nice girl

LADY F's FAVOURITE'S:




Steal: ASOS, $ 26.90                            Splurge: Illesteva, $180.00






Ultimate: Christian Dior Vintage, via Zone 7 Style

Friday 22 April 2011

Perfectly Pixie

Apparently the combination of a pixie cut, black and red, and bare legs works. Perfectly.
Some lady-like street style courtesy of the sartorialist

Monday 18 April 2011

The future Queen of Monaco


Dearest Kate- please take note!
While Kate Middleton has proven herself a lady, she hasn't been offering up anything exciting in the sartorial department other than safe, plain two piece suits (yawn) and prim Burberry jackets. Perhaps she should look to another soon to be royal bride for inspiration- Ms. Charlene Wittstock. Ms. Wittstock will wed Prince Albert II of Monaco in July. The former South African swimmer looks impeccably polished and deadly chic in this Armani Privé outfit at the Monaco National Day Celebrations in November 2010. Behold an outfit perfectly accessorized with a lady's staples; box clutch, leather gloves, sculptural hat, earrings...... and the perfect princessly composure. Bravo!

THEN & NOW


1961                                                                 2011        


1953                                                                 2011       
   
above: Harper's Bazaar 1961 via Dovima is Divine and Coco&Zaahb
below: © CondĂ© Nast Archive/Corbis via Dovima is Divine and Whistles

Sunday 17 April 2011

Giovanna Battaglia, Lady of Style

While Giovanna Battaglia is a poster girl for Lady-like style this outfit really does take the cake. Giovanna we salute you.

clockwise from top, 1 via Garance Dore, 2 via Easy Fashion in Paris, 3 and 4 via Vanessa Jackman

the clutch 4 ways


clockwise from top, 1, 3 and 4 Nicole Warne at Garry Pepper Vintage and 3 Blair Eadie at Altantic-Pacific

Friday 15 April 2011

THEN & NOW high tea

1950                                                               2004

via a red lipstick

the higher, the better




above: CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN via Haute Couturista, below: via a red lipstick

Leigh Lezark

While we sipping Starbucks in Les Tuleries is never lady-like, Leigh we forgive you this time.

via Coco&Zaahb

Christian Dior Spring 2011









Kids, please don't try this at home. Let's leave neon eyeshadow to the runways and simply gawk at how great it can be when done right on the beautiful people.

thevia Swing Fashion

Sunday 10 April 2011

Gitte!







Gitte Lee (with Hannelor Knuts) shot by Tim Walker for VOGUE ITALIA





Lady Gitte Lee photographed by Ari Seth Cohen for ADVANCED STYLE

Proof that a true Lady is timeless and transcends trends.
Danish Lady Birgit Lee is a former model who we recently saw in the  Celine Fall 2010 campaign. Her dramatic signiature look has now been celebrated in an editorial shoot by Tim Walker for VOGUE Italia. 

Ari Seth Cohen has documented Gitte's fabulousness on his blog devoted to stylish older ladies ADVANCED STYLE. Cohen talks to Lady Lee about her lady-like personal style and how she puts together her so-called "uniform" with signiature pieces here.   This is one fierce lady of style and a true icon of elegant timeless chic.

Saturday 9 April 2011

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