Frock Advisor

Help! I'm going on a first date so what the frock do I wear?

Hmmm. High stakes with many variables. Are you going for dinner or going to the dogs? Have you already had an encounter or is this date blind? Let's proceed with some assumptions. You're going for a casual supper and you've never met before.

Understand your audience when visualising your message. Who are you going to meet? What are his likes and dislikes? We’re not saying don’t be yourself, we’re saying be the best version of yourself, and hope that he has the good sense to do the same.

To be attractive to the average man, consider the following: among the top traits that men apparantly find attractive in women are moderate neuroticism, waist to hip ratio and wearing red. Red is nature’s sexual calling card, and it’s warning sign, it’s a dangerous sport. To a potential mate, you must look like a healthy prospect. Note: If his interests don’t stretch that far, your mortality will not be his concern. Also, don’t look desperate. Note: The more you try, the less sexy the effect, see note above.

So the look we’re going for here is a hybrid, high-key, casual chic, let call it Cocktail Casual.

To act comfortably, be comfortable – no, not a tracksuit – style and comfort need not be mutually exclusive. The basic options are a dress or separates. The dress is relatively easy to master; one piece and you’re done. Separates can be difficult to crack but it’s worth pursuing it as they give a wonderful air of nonchalance. If in doubt, work the jeans and a dressy top look, which says, I tried – but not too hard.

If I wear metallic will I look: a) too silly, b) too old or c) like a leftover chocolate in the Roses tin?

Metal is lustre, strength, and armour. It's also, shiny, noisy and scratchy. So, how you choose to channel this omnipresent trend is entirely up to you and the choices are myriad.

A proliferation of mutli-hued unapologetic lamés got a new lease of life this season from such powerhouses as Balmain and Giamballista Valli. This very fashion- forward statement exists in a strange world, somewhere between Dynasty and Willy Wonka. But there are many ways to heavy metal. Taking inspiration from Mad Max, hardware has moved beyond the handbag, now becoming embedded into apparel design, eyelets, chainmail and studding all present in force.

If your wish is to find a route to trend that doesn't involve bitch-slapping or ram-raiding, consider metals a more low-key alternative. Matte leathers and treated lace are respectively more subtle and feminine options. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that jewellery is the ideal way to get your ore fix, but shoes and bags will not be left in the shade. Style connoisseurs of the world crave the work of Pauric Sweeney, his house built on metalised leathers and skins, his pop-up salon sales are the stylish girl's secret pleasure for home-grown metal mania.
For details of upcoming salon sales, frockadvisor always has the scoop first at frockadvisor.com