A GIRL IN WINTER
Rebecca George
A GIRL IN WINTER
Rebecca George
WRAP UP SNUG!
We often talk about the grey, depressing days of winter. But winter has its own special beauty, that we should learn to appreciate and enjoy. Winter fashions have possibilities for chic and glamour that make this arguably the most exciting fashion season of the year. You don’t have to be a billionaire’s trophy wife in a chinchilla coat – or a Hollywood star in a mink jacket – to appreciate the exquisite thrill of wrapping yourself up in soft, warm, sensual furs. And for those of us – like me – who only countenance wearing faux furs, the quality and design of these garments becomes better and more deliciously seductive all the time.
COLOURING UP!
Winter isn’t a time for dull or neutral colours. The low light levels and grey days mean that bright clothing “pops” so much more effectively than under the summer sun. Save those beige, taupe and mushroom outfits for your summer afternoons on the Riviera. Focus the winter gaze on glowing neons: baby-blues, hot pinks, sinful scarlets, and winter whites – all offset with matte black, the perfect foil for all those standout shades and hues. One of the secrets of winter dressing is to work with and not against the temperature around you: strong blues, pinks and ice-whites are bright, but not “hot”. You can accentuate your ice-goddess look with contrasting flashes of warmer colours. This will further heighten the dramatic impact of your outfits.
BE A WINTER COUGAR
Nothing spells winter glamour more than a glam fur coat. As already said, my ethics and pocket say “no” to real fur, but I have huge fun in my faux-fur leopard coat, modelled here with red knee-length boots and a blonde “up-do”. I was modelling three layers of leopard prints in these shots. Underneath my long coat I was wearing a leopard-print leotard and leopard micro-skirt. On another occasion – a recent night out with the girls – I added a black beret and red PVC opera gloves, for a ‘Parisienne Apache’ winter look. Bright red PVC against a background of leopard-skin (or any other animal print) projects a man-eating cougar vibe like nothing else known to me!
WINTER WHITEOUTS
My second winter coat is white faux-fur – a “Siberian fox” look. I love the drama of teaming dazzling white with dramatic splashes of colour. Here you can see me modelling my white coat with red knee-length suede boots and the aforementioned red PVC gloves. Dressed like this, I felt like a very sexy gift – warmly wrapped, but ready to be opened and enjoyed. Roland Barthes once observed that the nature of a stripper’s nudity depends on the nature of their outer garments. If these outer layers are expensive and luxurious, then the nakedness beneath will be luxurious as well. So think of your winter wardrobe as a sexy striptease that (for the moment!) stops at the outermost layers… Let your admirers speculate and fantasize about the erotic luxury that lies beneath!
EXTRA TEXTURE
Winter gives a girl so many opportunities to cover her body with exciting textures. Take the white textured tights I am wearing here, with my over-the-knee boots and pink micro-skirt. Knitted tights are deliciously warm, and offer a great excuse to show off our gorgeous legs under teasing skirts and sexy high boots. In one version of this look, I have added another animal print – a black-and-white zebra leotard – and short fluffy jackets in both white and blue. In a variation on this look, I modelled a faux-crocodile red bolero jacket, teamed with a while wool dress, black belt, and furry pink leg warmers. You may not approve of the clashing scarlet and neon pink in this look – I guess it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. But don’t be afraid to use the freedom and opportunities of winter fashion to clash colours together in ways that appeal to you, and which bring out your unique fashion personality. With so many layers, colours and textures to play with in your winter wardrobe, there are endless possibilities to experiment, and to create looks that are feminine, exciting, sexy, empowering – and very definitely YOU.
As ever, my thanks go to my amazing stylist and photographer, Josie Hughes at Adam and Eve’s. And to the wonderful Rachel Cole – Undisputed Leader of the Brick Lane Posse – who took the pictures of me relaxing at Monty’s in Brick Lane and in the Well and Bucket Pub on Bethnal Green Road.
Love and Kisses to All!
xoxox
Rebecca