Lifestyle, Fashion & Style
It’s a question I’ve been asked by friends many times. I don’t know about you but I’m finding it harder to know where to shop, especially as my daughter, now in her late twenties, buys in many places I did 10 years ago. It’s not only women in their fifties finding it more of a challenge, my mother; beautifully fashionable in her seventies is also lost to know where she fits in.
Rather than looking for age appropriate clothes, I tend to look for ones which are appropriate for particular occasions, so when Gray & Osbourn contacted me and asked if I would like to review something from their extensive collection, I was interested to see if they could rise to meet this challenge!
I wanted to find a special occasion dress that instantly becomes a favourite, the one that always fits the bill whether you are going to a formal dinner, on holiday or a party. The dress that always fits, even if you’ve put on a couple of pounds, one that covers your shoulders as well as your modesty, can be thrown in a suitcase and still look good for your first dinner on holiday. One that’s feminine and makes you feel sexy without trying too hard, oh and preferably black!
So armed with my list of must have’s I went through the Gray & Osbourn website and found the Montique Lace Dress. On the page it ticked all the boxes and as it’s one of the company’s best sellers I couldn’t wait to try it.
There’s really nothing more exciting than the postman arriving with a large box with your name on it, and even more exciting when you take out a dress that you could wear straightaway! Not a crease in sight and instantly I knew that this dress would be ideal for travelling. I ordered a size 10 and to be honest I am a few pounds heavier than my comfortable weight. I blame Christmas (what do you mean that was months ago) not doing enough exercise and too much chocolate, so I was thrilled when the dress fitted comfortably. It would in fact look better if I shifted a couple of pounds, so there’s my goal.
The dress has a jersey slip lining with adjustable straps, these are carefully fixed to the shoulders of the dress so they stay in place. Over the slip is a fine black cobweb of lace, delicately enhanced with a subtle gold, think burnished old gold not shiny brassy gold.
From the moment you slip the dress over your head, which is made easier with a side zip, it falls into place and feels very comfortable. The neckline is both flattering and modest, the half-length sleeves cover the tops of your arms and the hemline is perfect, below the knee, nothing to ride up when you sit down and plenty long enough for my height. The satin sash belt gives definition to the waist and the fabric is light enough to wear on a cruise or summer holiday.
For these photographs I wore Hobbs black patent medium heeled court shoes, a small black leather bag and a Nougat black lambswool and angora cropped cardigan found some years ago in TK Maxx. I wore fairly simple gold jewellery and pearl and gold earrings. The dress has a timeless elegance which I felt didn’t need too much accessorising, which is great when you’re travelling.
One of the nicest features of the dress is the swishing effect as you walk; it’s elegant and won’t fail to get you noticed as you walk into a room. For me the Montique dress is the perfect occasion wear outfit, one that I know will become a firm favourite in my wardrobe, it’s an investment piece which will be worn for many years to come as it’s not too fashionable to date.
The Montique dress isn’t only suitable for many occasions, it’s also pretty much ageless; I know my daughter in her late twenties would look equally beautiful in it, as would my mother in her seventies. Well done Gray & Osbourn, at last I have found a place for women over fifty to find occasion appropriate clothes.
Sadly Gray & Osbourn are no longer trading – you can see similar clothes at JD Williams
