What to wear for a trip to Paris

I watched Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris yesterday. It's lovely and sweet and its subtle message to make your happiness right here right now is a satisfying one for these times and this holiday season. From a fashion point of view I was delighted to see loads of shirtdresses on screen. Rachel McAdams' character wears a cotton shirtdress in the opening scene, and goes on to wear another one for a trip to Versailles, and a thinner voile version belted over jeans and a black silk one in the evening. One of her friends wears a lilac cotton shirtdress on an excursion and pretty French girl Gabrielle wears a floral version with short sleeves in the final scene.

It's always hard to dress for a trip to another city. No one likes to stand out immediately like a tourist with a fanny pack and sneakers, unless you are hoping to get ripped off or receive bad service. I have always loved a shirtdress, hence the start of JDCamicetta, based initially on Jane's and my annoyance at the lack of good shirtdresses in the shops. Since a shirtdress is never trendy it suits any city and it is polished enough to take you into posh shops and restaurants. It's also the easiest thing to pack - no worries about what to wear with it. Flat sandals and a belt for day, a heel and a pretty purse for evening.

Read here about The Telegraph's fashion writer Lisa Armstrong's day in a shirtdress http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG8943897/What-Im-Wearing-a-shirtdress.html.

www.duchessajewels.com

Duchessa Jewels is up and running, and so far so good, we have had successful credit card orders from various countries. Check out our modern version of Georgian collet necklaces as well as our chandelier and drop earrings. www.duchessajewels.com

Below some of the fashions of the times - the rich had a penchant for excessive adornment, and certainly didn't believe in keeping it simple. Yet the period's collet necklaces work so well with today's simple shapes and minimalist practical fashions. Nerida has for a long time loved the workmanship and design details of jewelry from the Georgian period (roughly from mid 1700 to mid 1800) and since I have been working with her on Duchessa Jewels her enthusiasm has been contagious. Also check out www.nerida1.blogspot.com

If we took a holiday..... took some time to celebrate...

... it would be, it would be so nice.... holiday!

Come to our dress sale on 8 December, 9 - 3 PM

All new fabrics, resort and winter styles

email me at dianneseerden@gmail.com for details