tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post7501227162393630964..comments2024-03-28T03:40:29.423-04:00Comments on Passage des Perles: Safe or Smokin' occasion wear: Lessons from Helen MirrenDuchessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-56561026399746669832010-06-15T08:47:21.188-04:002010-06-15T08:47:21.188-04:00Shelley: Check my post Traveling Shoes (2 days lat...Shelley: Check my post Traveling Shoes (2 days later) to see ankle straps worn well. If you have well-shaped ankles, they flatter. If not, there are many other dressy shoes styles to wear.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-41021707420394797432010-06-15T04:51:42.557-04:002010-06-15T04:51:42.557-04:00Your analysis is spot on. What I find interesting...Your analysis is spot on. What I find interesting is how horrible the ankle strapped shoes look on her - and she has great legs! A salutory warning to us all.Shelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10239488936038510294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-39360679022149851972010-06-09T11:18:44.924-04:002010-06-09T11:18:44.924-04:00STUNNING. Even those of us barely in our 40s can ...STUNNING. Even those of us barely in our 40s can admire and envy her sex-appeal (and, of course, talent).s.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04741062569246094417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-58218296832739490672010-06-09T09:25:29.704-04:002010-06-09T09:25:29.704-04:00materfamilias: I don't comment negatively on &...materfamilias: I don't comment negatively on "what I wore" photos posted by "normal people", b/c we all have good and less than great days. I do find that women bloggers are almost overwhelmingly positive when they give feedback, and I sometimes am not in agreement. <br /><br />vix: Whether it indents or not, HM possesses one trim waist. Enjoy your image of HRH-meets-Trinny and Susannah. In her heart she may long for less floral, more leather. Yes, I regularly read Imogen's blog.<br /><br />Imogen: Thanks! Didn't read the teal as warm. <br /><br />Nancy: Don't know if she always has a stylist or only for awards etc. Perhaps she will read our comments?Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-78110206047382888942010-06-09T08:23:05.323-04:002010-06-09T08:23:05.323-04:00My favorites of those you posted were the black go...My favorites of those you posted were the black gown, the gray/silver gown, and the cream ensemble. I'm puzzled by the black and white ensemble and have to conclude that it was the only thing back from the dry cleaner that day. <br /><br />It's nice to know that even Helen gets it wrong from time to time. And she is so stunning when she gets it right!NancyDaQhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00609215745927535353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-52039082166054695492010-06-09T01:18:02.037-04:002010-06-09T01:18:02.037-04:00I have to say that black and white number is atroc...I have to say that black and white number is atrocious, looks like she was doing some cooking and forgot to take off her apron before leaving the house.<br /><br />The reason why those gold shoes don't work with the blue dress (which is a warm blue) is that the gold doesn't work with her colouring which is cooler, so they stand out, rather than blend in.<br /><br />I'd have loved her in the bottom number to not have had the ankle straps on the shoes as it ruins the line and makes her look slightly matronly instead of as smokin as she often is.Imogen Lamport, AICI CIPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16796095692232856223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-31683436018589411592010-06-08T22:46:42.747-04:002010-06-08T22:46:42.747-04:00Duchesse --
I know your tongue was planted prett...Duchesse -- <br /><br />I know your tongue was planted pretty firmly in cheek, but the question around "undefined" waist terminology came up in Imogen's blog comment section the other day. [Inside Out Style, for non-readers].<br /><br />Maybe you saw it?<br /><br />Though it's easy to get distracted by her bustline and flat stomach, Ms Helen goes pretty much straight down from ribcage to hipbone. I know some women regret "losing" their indented waist, but some of us never had one to lose! <br /><br />Unless ribs are removed she, Imogen, and I will never indent much, though we can fake it with corsets, peplums, and some judicious hip action. Kind of like HM did in a certain red bikini pose. ;) <br /><br />And yes -- while noting what I did about HM's costumes in "The Queen," how could I help but wonder about a Freaky Friday swap? <br /><br />I absolutely think Elizabeth could carry off a fair number of HM's outfits (and lose a few decades in the process!). I can just imagine Trinny and Susannah feeling up E's Rigby and Peller'd bosom, ha!<br /><br />And of course she could certainly reach the fabulousness of Judy Dench's Bond boss outfits -- and, if she let her hair down a bit, Dench's best red carpet looks. [Compare with JD's dowdy costumes in "Notes on a Scandal" -- another case study!]Vixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08676924453001061927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-43065512724977702352010-06-08T20:17:30.996-04:002010-06-08T20:17:30.996-04:00As so often, I find your analysis both trenchant a...As so often, I find your analysis both trenchant and a bit intimidating -- after all, if La Mirren makes such errors with her attributes and resources, I know your eagle eye could identify many if aimed in this direciton ;-)<br />I'd be curious to know what Mirren found pleasing about the less visually convincing outfits -- there's no question that they don't work as well from the viewer's perspective.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-65835936424953214852010-06-08T17:34:26.022-04:002010-06-08T17:34:26.022-04:00metscan: I don't know why, perhaps she does no...metscan: I don't know why, perhaps she does not use stylists for all occasions. I'd make at least that ratio of errors.<br /><br />Pseu: Simple/sensuous is my mantra.<br /><br />Rubiatonta: It and the black evening gown are my favourites.<br /><br />M: Don't get SATC style at all except as outrageous publicity machine. Will they become the Golden Girls of 2030?<br /><br />hostess: To me, a goddess. Loved her best-maybe- as Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect.<br /><br />Vix: Given her bust, how do you get trim without indented ;)<br /><br />If Helen can do HRH style, could HRH (relative to her age) do Helen?<br /><br />Ms Maven: There is not much made between ho-ly and matronly. You have to buy "dignified beautiful" when you see it, even if not sure when you'll wear it.<br /><br />diverchic: Almost published the bikini shot but this is about occasion attire. I do think of her as beautiful in a very individual way.<br /><br />Belle: The image goes with the job, and the pressure must be more intense than I can imagine. But Helen Mirren in jeans would still be gorgeous to me.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-90814974182532391262010-06-08T17:13:19.725-04:002010-06-08T17:13:19.725-04:00I think that "The Mirren" is fabulous an...I think that "The Mirren" is fabulous and I think she looks classy no matter if she dresses safe or smokin'.<br />Can you imagine the pressure on a woman like Mirren to look smokin' every time she goes to an event. It must be exhausting.Belle de Villehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14045827018848979761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-29579053094916376222010-06-08T15:27:32.620-04:002010-06-08T15:27:32.620-04:00Helen in the red bikini looks pretty amazing. I c...Helen in the red bikini looks pretty amazing. I can only dream of a figure like that. She has made some pretty good Oscar choices in the past - such as the 3/4 sleeve gown she chose for the Oscar win. Her hair looked nice too, unlike in your photo #1. I never thought of her as beautiful, but she pulls it off. I am full of admiration for her.diverchichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07753507927794435960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-77076312580223400122010-06-08T12:58:47.499-04:002010-06-08T12:58:47.499-04:00I love looking at Helen in her various outfits. T...I love looking at Helen in her various outfits. Thanks for this post and your analysis of what works/doesn't work. I sometimes feel almost pressured into the more matronly outfits. Once you take away all the girly, short, sleeveless, low-cut clothes offered, most of what is left is often what I call "old lady." It is especially difficult to find dressier clothes that flatter.<br /><br />I hadn't thought about her body shape and waistline--thanks for pointing that out Vix. Now I will go back and look at her again.Ms Mavennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-49076492043665762142010-06-08T11:54:04.985-04:002010-06-08T11:54:04.985-04:00I appreciate HM's talent and admire her public...I appreciate HM's talent and admire her public persona a great deal. <br /><br />It's always interesting to see what she'll turn up in for events; while she project confidence in whatever she's wearing I always think there's a bit more there when she is in something that flatters 1000%.<br /><br />I must say that while she has always had a lovely figure, her trim waist has never been particularly defined (indented). <br /><br />In all of the examples you like, she is following "dress your shape" guidelines with fantastic results.* By forgoing a set-in waistline and instead letting the gown's design help create the illusion of a waist, she looks sleek and stunning. <br /><br />A useful case study for innate H/Rectangle shapes like me, sure, but also for any woman whose shape has changed from a very defined waist to a less defined one thanks to the years rolling by....<br /><br />*I admit I spent too much of the "The Queen" marveling at how the proportions of HM's costumes totally disguised/derailed her glamour.Vixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08676924453001061927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-2395300225855941572010-06-08T10:11:10.357-04:002010-06-08T10:11:10.357-04:00She is in tip top shape to be sure and 65...what a...She is in tip top shape to be sure and 65...what a stunning gal.<br />Her choice of clothing is usually flattering, but I can she made a few poor choices here...love that last outfit!hostess of the humble bungalowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06453827257671312902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-26780323019934135572010-06-08T10:09:58.549-04:002010-06-08T10:09:58.549-04:00OOPS-You showed 6 outfits, my mistake!OOPS-You showed 6 outfits, my mistake!mettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13732534795009852825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-17506739911956011992010-06-08T09:29:40.610-04:002010-06-08T09:29:40.610-04:00I enjoy looking at pictures of HM because she appe...I enjoy looking at pictures of HM because she appears to be comfortable with herself and isn't chasing the ever illusive fountain of youth. Conversely, there seem to be a lot of over 40/50 celebrity women who look and act more like adolescent girls (think SATC) than grown women. I don't get it.Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12859755625440254862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-29022421760857811942010-06-08T09:17:21.615-04:002010-06-08T09:17:21.615-04:00Nobody, even a knockout like Dame Helen, looks goo...Nobody, even a knockout like Dame Helen, looks good in Mumsy. I'd give my eyeteeth for that last ensemble -- and for a place to wear it, natch.Rubiatontanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-42472694742542104052010-06-08T09:05:30.257-04:002010-06-08T09:05:30.257-04:00She really does shine when she sticks to the simpl...She really does shine when she sticks to the simply elegant styles and doesn't wear pieces that compete with each other. A good lesson there for all of us!Susan Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16005855250089328310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-38420823244742208762010-06-08T08:30:24.695-04:002010-06-08T08:30:24.695-04:00I admire HM for her great actress skills. She real...I admire HM for her great actress skills. She really looks great at the age of 65. Obviously she has inherited some fine genes. What I can´t understand is, that out of the three outfit pictures shown, only the third and the last ones look nice. With her assets and with anything imaginable available for her, those pictures need not have been taken. Well, I guess, we are all only human.mettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13732534795009852825noreply@blogger.com