High street Haute Couture: Designer quality doesn't have to cost thousands.
Princess Diana's favourite dressmaker shows how
Haute couture dresses are the cream of the crop: hand-made, bespoke, exquisitely finished — and with price tags that run into tens of thousands of pounds.
But now some clever High Street labels are using similar stitching, pattern cutting and fabrics to the best designers.
For most of us, these are still premium buys — but the cost will be a fraction of the upmarket versions. You just need to know what to look for.
Bruce Oldfield, who was Princess Diana’s favourite designer and has dressed everyone from Jerry Hall to Joan Collins, picks his favourite — and most cunningly created — High Street summer dresses with the haute couture touch.
PARTY PERFECTION
Party Perfection: Pink ribbon dress, £169, phase-eight.co.uk. Shoes, £69.99, zara.com
One of the most dramatic shapes for a skirt — not often seen on the High Street because it’s tricky to get right — is a trapeze line, which is a bit wider than an A-line.
Pioneered by Yves Saint Laurent in 1958, it looks dramatic but ladylike. This is an excellent party dress and the embroidery keeps it youthful.
It has a high neckline to ensure you can wear a supportive bra. All in all, it’s perfect for older ladies who want to make a splash.
FAB FIGURE-FIXER
Fab Figure Fixer: Blue lace detail dress, £52, warehouse.co.uk. Sandals, £195, lkbennett.com
I can’t believe this is so cheap. Strategically placed crocheting and beautiful seam work have been used to streamline the torso, highlight the cleavage and emphasise the waist.
It’s a figure-fixing dream. All this detail doesn’t come across as too busy because the silhouette is tidy. There’s also a concealed zip, which gives a dress a far smoother finish at the back.
It reminds me of top quality Azzedine Alaia designer dresses. A must-buy.
ELEGANTLY WAISTED
Elegantly waisted: Dress, £225, shoes, £170, lkbennett.com
Incredible attention has been paid to this dress’s cut, which is reflected in the slightly higher price. Many people prefer the waist to sit an inch or so lower than this frock’s, but I don’t think that’s the most flattering cut.
A higher waist shows you at your narrowest and allows for a fraction more fabric to hang over the stomach and hips, to better hide a mummy tummy. Structured shoulders give a defined shape, too. I would perhaps take up the sleeves an inch or two.
LAVISH IN LACE
Lavish in lace: Blue lace dress, £149, kaliko.co.uk. Shoes, £185, Fenwick, 020 7629 9161
This is a clever copy of guipure lace, a distinctive type of Swiss fabric that costs hundreds of pounds per metre because it is labour intensive to make.
To get something that looks anywhere near as good at this price is impressive. The delicate neckline detailing even looks as if it’s hand-sewn (though it won’t be) and the lower dropped lace hem is something I use a lot on my bespoke dresses. A flash of knee through a sheet of lace looks modern and a little bit naughty.
EYE-POPPING PRINT
Eye-popping print: Tropical dress, £84, very.co.uk. Sandals, £59.99, zara.com
A print combo — where two differently scaled prints are used in one garment — is a trend all top designers are using. The result is clean, snappy and striking. This print does it to great effect and contrasts against the black background.
It has an elasticated waistline, which is better for trimmer figures, but the low V-neckline is elegant, too. If you’re going somewhere formal, all you have to do is slip a little tailored black jacket over it and you’re set.
HIDE THE BULGES
Hide the bulges: Miracle dress, £135, winserlondon.com. Shoes, £60, office.co.uk
This is a beautifully constructed dress and looks elegant without trying too hard. Three-quarter-length sleeves cover up problematic upper arms and the drapes will subtly hide any bulges.
The fabric — Ponte de Roma jersey — has a 30 per cent capacity for stretch and the zip is disguised with grosgrain, favoured by high-end designers. Dressed up with statement jewellery, this could look spectacular. All round fabulous.
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