Style

SMALL PRINT: A reader writes . . . Dear Rosemary, I am a 70-year-old grandmother who would like to wear leggings and a tunic top. Would I look ridiculous? What shoes could I wear, as four-inch heels are a challenge too far? Elizabeth, by e-mail

Dear Elizabeth,

There is nothing to say leggings and tunics couldn’t – and shouldn’t – suit all, although there are some rules that should be adhered to by anyone over the age of 10.

Leggings are tight trousers, mostly made of lycra or stretch cotton, but don’t make the mistake of considering them the same as trousers. One crucial point: the crotch region looks its best when maintaining an air of mystery. No waist-skimming T-shirts.

Quality and fabric are worth paying attention to. While some leggings are no more than glorified tights, others are made of thick stretch cotton and will last hundreds of goes in the washing machine. Marks Spencer does quality leggings; Principles and Wallis are other good bets. Don’t be tempted by the cut-price option; they will stretch and become nigh-on see-through within one wash.

Pair them with a loose tunic in a silk or brushed cotton. The Equipment shirt featured in this column is long and stylish and so would be a perfect fit. Monsoon is also worth checking out for tunics, and Zara is currently doing a great line in longer silk blouses and tops.

As for shoes, combining heels and leggings is a little too Essex-girl: I’d advise a pump or a lace-up brogue. Camper has an excellent selection of both. For the winter months, opt for boots; FitFlop’s Charley boots are waterproof (to a point), cosy and surprisingly stylish.

Handbags at dawn Versace hits H & M

Ready the troops – and the wallets – for the launch of Versace’s much-anticipated collaboration with Swedish giant HM, tomorrow at 9am in H&M stores in Dundrum Town Centre and on Dublin’s South King Street. Donatella Versace, the brains behind the Italian brand, has trawled the archives to find the luxury label’s “greatest hits” and reinterpret them for a high-street audience.

Expect a lot of bling, a lot of tropical, palm-tree patterns – remember that dress Jennifer Lopez wore to the 2000 Grammys? Or the safety-pin number that launched Liz Hurley’s star into the stratosphere? – and oodles of Italian flair.

For H&M staff, that means a very early morning and a lot of stress dealing with addled customers until – most likely – the range sells out, some time around mid afternoon.

While prices will be a fraction of Versace’s €1,000-odd per dress, you can still expect to expect to pay about €100 for a dress and upwards of €200 for anything leather, including an amazing studded leather mac costing €299.

The brash, bold prints that have been Versace’s signature over the past two decades won’t be for everyone, but that’s okay: there’s plenty to choose from in the 52-piece collection.

H&M has established a complicated and lengthy queuing process involving coloured wristbands and designated shopping times, but suffice it to say: get there early, wear flats and think about bringing a flask of coffee for when the queue isn’t moving and the November chill starts to get into your bones.

Just think: you’re worth it. And if you’re not worth it, the pieces will be worth it in six months when you decide to sell them on eBay, like the ambitious customer who put their Lanvin for H&M T-shirt online for a cool £1,000. According to eBay, the item has sold or been removed. Bets on which is more likely?