Nat Laurel

Bella Hadid for Ralph Lauren, NYFW Spring 2018

The ostrich hemmed number from Ralph Lauren Spring 2018 collection shows  us the  graceful way to go about the hearty knees that usually come together with the uber feminine gams. Several years ago I have come up with an auteur term – a fouetté thigh –  to talk about dressing the  thighs that have been banned from the Runway for what feels like eternity-long three decades. It is a revelation  to see Bella Hadid today walking down the Runway,  and a grand aspiration for designs that will reach  beyond the blue prints of the androgynous standards.

This opulently embellished ostrich hem provides an opportunity to wear shorter lengths gracefully.  Creating  enough visual interest it  takes the spotlight away from the  hearty knees.

This seems like a new way to look at dressing and styling.   I feel that in the last couple of decades women were imprisoned between the two extremes: they were  either pushed to  hide their imperfections,  or they wore  their imperfection on a sleeve as a symbol of some newly acquired freedom. Working with women for over ten years I did not notice that either of these brought them satisfaction.  The rewarding  style  is embracing your imperfections and going gracefully about them. For that you  slow down a bit,  figure out  the nuances of cuts, textures and hems that  quietly make us see your best first.  By the time we spot an imperfection we have already fallen in love with you.   This, and neither hiding nor bolstering ones imperfections  is the essence of true styling for me. This Ralph Lauren embellished hem dress over Bella Hadid feminine legs  serves as a great example of just that.

Those of us, who are looking for  a cocktail dress that does not betray the  fouetté thighs of an earth mother  may find this design with an elaborate hem a great inspiration.  The same maneuver can work wonders for  those of us who  shop for 38D+  bra sizes and bottoms in the XS-M spectrum.  Known in the old school approach  as “apple shape”, these  gals will notice  that this opulent finishing on the hem of a cocktail dress help them achieve a delicate silhouette.   Those looking for a knee balancing act may do better with ombres and sfumato-inspired  analogous colors as featured on this dress.  Ladies  needing to grace  larger bosoms, can find greater options with contrasting, Picasso-worthy  color-block  hem finishes.