I recently wrote an article about my favourite black Aspiga ‘Victoria’ cord dress, which I can honestly say, is the dress I get most compliments about, that was until I arrived at GH Live last week wearing my new Mint Velvet silver metallic midi dress. I’ve been slightly overwhelmed by the lovely comments from members of the public desperate to know where my dress is from. I was stopped at least 20 times in one hour with one lady even waiting outside my toilet cubicle to ask me about my dress. It should come with a warning!
What is it about both dresses that gets so many compliments? Without doubt, it’s the modest but sexy silhouette. Eagle-eyed fashionistas will recognise they’re a very similar shape to cult designer brand The Vampire’s Wife (which sadly went into administration earlier this year). Demure yet dramatic it’s the perfect cut for grown-up women and I’m obsessed. It’s the clever combination of the nipped-in waist, fit and flare ruffle hem skirt, pretty puff shoulders and exaggerated cuffs on the three-quarter sleeves which makes your waist look smaller, that give the shape of the dress a womanly wow-factor.
For the last decade, The Vampire’s Wife’s dresses have been worn and loved by musicians, actors, royals, fashion insiders, artists and models alike. To buy an original The Vampire’s Wife dress will cost over £1,500. You can rent one from John Lewis from £153.07 for four days, or you can buy an “inspired by” dress on the high street.
If you’re looking for a flattering and forgiving day-to-night dress, that feels elevated but without showing heaps of skin, this is the dress silhouette that will guarantee to give your midlife body spectacular shape whether in corduroy or shimmery metallics. Here are more of my favourites dress right now.
