A WOMAN'S DRESS SHOULD BE LIKE A BARBED-WIRE FENCE: SERVING IT'S PURPOSE WITHOUT OBSTRUCTING THE VIEW

Christmas is approaching, and so is the hassle of finding the perfect dress for this holiday. Having a striking and unique dress to wear on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve is as essential this year as every other year, but to find such a garment is rather difficult.

My hunt has now lasted for several weeks, but I still haven't had any luck with finding THE dress. I have searched through my home-town, Trondheim, London and loads of webshops without finding a dress that matches my list of criteria; Strapless or long-sleeved, not too much, not too little, not too tight, not too oversized, emphasized waist? Yes please. Not to mention; Timeless and classic, but at the same time updated and cool. Without a price tag that makes me gasp. Is that really too much to ask for?

I tend to always end up with skirts. The problem is, with a skirt you have to think about what to wear on top as well. The advantage of a dress is that you can just throw it on and be good to go, whether it is to a family dinner or christmas party.

Luckily, there are still a few weeks left until a perfect dress needs to be nicely placed in my closet. So, from here on, I am continuing my hunt. I am hoping to find out that there is a special dress waiting for me somewhere. And if not, I will yet again just spend some time with my sewing machine. At least I know that nobody else has got the same garment as me, if I make it myself.

NOT A GENTLEMAN; DRESSES TOO WELL

I’m going to tell you which one of the BRITISH CUSTOMS I like the most,
NOW THAT WILLIAM MARRIES KATE!

I found a 100% wool, tailor made tuxedo jacket from 1932 at the Portobello Market for £3 a month ago! I wear it to encourage men to remain gentlemen! To worship, applaud, celebrate and honour our ancestors traditions and behaviour.

I am raised by a gentleman myself. My DAD. I was therefore SHOCKED when I was to go out and hunt for one myself realising authentic gentlemen are a DYING ART! As species in the rain forest! I tell my mum she is a lucky woman, but so is my dad, she’s a gentlewoman.
Gentle equals gentle!

When I moved to London, I was excited to get to know REAL ENGLISH GENTLEMEN.

WHAT CONSTITUTES A GENTLEMAN?
According to me


1. It starts with FASHION AND PERFORMANCE. A real gentleman is in harmony with his own body. He knows what suits him! He wears a traditional tuxedo or his national costume at events! His shoes are polished and expensively handmade.
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY - HE IS NATURALLY DEBONAIR!

2. HE IS CONFIDENT YET HUMBLE! He knows exactly who he is. HE CAN ADMIT INSECURITIES. He is not threaten by OTHER MEN. He is open minded and fare non’!

3. Yet he’s a true, old fashioned gentleman, he does not practice old conventions in terms of SEXUALITY AND GENDER. He is modern, loves his time of living as well as appreciating our ancestors. He sure can cook meals and do his own laundry. He NEVER understood why men couldn’t do it themselves!

4. He respects himself and is in contact with his own feelings, therefore he is able to RESPECT WOMEN UTTERLY! Every woman is to him a LADY. He believes that LADIES can conquer the world.

5. Politeness is all that matters to him. He will not call you a lady if you don’t treat yourself as a lady!

6. He begrudges people’s success. He sees the best in everyone.

7. PATIENCE is his biggest strengthen. HE WAITS FOR A LADY!

8. A real gentleman has a reliable car intentionally to pick you up and to drive you safe home. And of course he NEVER ASKS TO JOIN YOU UPSTAIRS. He lets you have the chance to ask!

9. HE HAS AN ORIGINAL MINDSET! You can tell that he sincerely CARES when asking how you are. IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO NOT GET INTRIGUED!

10. His ATTITUDE has an optimistic impact on everyone, except the men who can’t deal with his TOLERANCE.

Only English gentlemen have been my inspirational source to this scheme of rules!

Kari xxx

DRESS CODE

Occasionally I wish I was working in a coffee shop. Not a small, hidden and cozy one, but one that is popular and busy with loads of customers. Located on the corner of a crowded street in some metropole. Why? Because of all the rare and interesting people my curious eyes get to see during the day. Earlier this year I read an article published in British Elle, written by a guy who worked in a coffee shop. In this article he wrote that he used to analyze all the people stopping by the shop, and gaze at them and their clothing. Working as a barista doesn't sound too exciting, but to observe people and their personal styles all day.. That sounds like fun, not to mention inspirational.

I have always been intrigued by creative and out-of-the-box-thinking individuals. Intrigued by what they are wearing. Why they are wearing what they wear. What reason that decided their choice of outfit. Was it their mood? The weather? This season's trends? Their personal state of mind? Their culture? Maybe they were in a rush and just threw on whatever was on the floor. Only they can know. It would have been amusing to ask a certain amount of people working in the fashion industry how they think when they are putting together an outfit in the morning. I wonder how different our brains work when we get dressed. Personally, I have to plan my every day outfits the night before I wear them. I usually end up looking like a hobo otherwise.

Anyone can get dressed up to a party or a special event, but it is more exciting to see what people are wearing on a daily basis. From my point of view, many elderly people have this certain skill to look casual but cool. It doesn't matter where they are going or what they are doing, they just want to look presentable. Like in the old days, when women wore dresses and hats and men wore classic trench coats every single day. When I was visiting London and sat on the train from Heathrow towards the centre of the city, I noticed this several times. I can remember this old man sitting across me. He was wearing a dark grey blazer and black pants. A pretty basic outfit. But, in the gap between his shoes and his pants, a pair of colourful woolen socks popped out and made his whole outfit look much more interesting.

If you take a good look around, you can find great style everywhere. There is no longer a dress code, a correct answer, for what you can wear or not. Unless you are a total trend whore/slave, but following all the trends at all times will just make you look like you're trying too hard. That will not create style. Style is created by confidence, and by people who believe in themselves. Most importantly; Do not care about what other people may say or mean. The worst thing I hear is "I can't buy that, I don't dare to wear it". That will only make you appear as an insecure person. And insecurity is not attractive. Why? Because you will seem like a weak person. Do you want to be weak? No? That's what I thought. Clothes definitely make the man. And woman, of course.


Marthe