Ready To Wear: I'm coming over all red, white and blue and – what's more – I like it

 

While the world at large has been moaning about the weather which, admittedly, has been remarkably inclement, not to mention the remarkable lack of security at the Olympics, something remarkably strange has been happening to my wardrobe. "You're wearing red, white and blue," says my friend and I realise that there's no arguing with her.

I'm dressed in blue jeans, red shoes, a black cardigan with a red heart on it (it's my favourite) and am carrying a not-far-from bright, white handbag. It's new, obviously, so that won't last. While there's no chance of my giving Grace Kelly a run for her money in the carefully co-ordinated accessories department, or indeed of the British flag finding its way into my look any time soon, I'm not entirely unhappy with this discreetly – and entirely unprecedented – patriotic mood. There's something in the water, clearly.

And there are more ways than that to engage with Olympic fever fashion-wise without resorting to tactics reminiscent of Geri Halliwell's tea towel circa 1997, which was of a moment and not very funny or interesting now as then.

In the first place, the world is not short of what has come to be known as couture sportswear, and I love it. Take, as a prime example, a Prada white and navy anorak I'm lucky enough to own. White and navy. You see, it's happening again. In fact, it originally made me think of a modern-day Coco Chanel in Biarritz or indeed of Miuccia on her yacht with husband Bertelli of a romantic, stormy evening. Crafted in silk so far from obviously waterproof or even repellent, it looks like I threw it on in the name of dynamism even though I know that's not strictly speaking the case. I've got some Rick Owens dropped-crotch fine jersey long johns that, at a push, might pass for jogging bottoms too.

I won't be wearing them with my new neon pink Nike trainers with bright coral laces, though. That would be too literal. They look quite good with a plain summer dress though. A grey one.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Life & Style blogs

Where do most millionaires live in the UK?

Plus lateral thinking and living on London's waterways

Wandsworth tops aspiring young professionals hotspot list

Other popular areas include Didsbury, Clifton in Bristol, central Cambridge and West Bridgford

Christian GPs and the morning after pill: Much needed clarification

Doctors are allowed to have personal beliefs, just as long as these beliefs do not interfere with th...

       

ES Rentals

    Day In a Page

    National archives: Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them

    Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them

    Newly unearthed papers reveal a shocking extra dimension to the constitutional crisis over monarch’s abdication
    Sent down at the Old Bailey: A tour of the world's most famous court

    Sent down at the Old Bailey

    A tour of the world's most famous court
    Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness

    Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness

    The Hangover actor Zach Galifianakis’s date for his movie premieres isn’t arm candy  – it’s his 87-year-old friend who he saved from homelessness
    British football scores an own goal

    British football scores an own goal

    Many managers barely survive a year in post. Martin Baker talks to experts who make a case for clubs using forensic business skills to find the best staff
    James Lawton: Sergio Garcia cracks as major fault line opens up again

    James Lawton

    Sergio Garcia cracks as major fault line opens up again
    Dylan Hartley: Northampton have spent the season proving all our critics wrong

    Dylan Hartley talks tough

    Northampton have spent the season proving all our critics wrong
    Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

    Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

    A meeting of global power brokers in a Hertfordshire hotel is exciting conspiracy theorists, but what are they really about?
    'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system': Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console

    'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system'

    Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console
    Plenty of Fish dating site founder pulls 'Intimate Encounters' option to ward off sleazy men

    Plenty of sleaze

    Dating website pulls intimate 'hook-up' section to curb harassment
    Inferno author Dan Brown 'honoured' to be invited to join the Freemasons

    The Freemasons’ Code

    Dan Brown reveals the message that told him door to the lodge is open
    Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

    Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

    Nick Buckles survived the Olympics débâcle and a £5bn bid fiasco but a profit warning finally triggered his downfall
    How to say ‘I’m a sellout’: Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar

    How to say ‘I’m a sellout’

    Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar
    Why clubs are keen to take a stand

    Why clubs are keen to take a stand

    There's a real desire around the grounds for safe standing. But will the authorities listen?
    In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

    In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

    Disillusion with a siege mentality and negative playing style made change inevitable
    James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

    James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

    British driver was fascinating man whose epic duel with Niki Lauda in 1976 was typical of an era of glamour and glory – but also the ever-present threat of death