Dressed to win - but not to kill

FASHION AND sport have never been happy bedfellows, no matter how the big brands – Adidas, Nike, Reebok and Asics – may try to spin it. Fabrics that are designed, for example, to wick sweat away from the body, to streamline the legs so that they cut through the water more efficiently or to maintain heat while running on a cool winter’s morning simply can’t achieve those aims while simultaneously looking stylish.

And nowhere is this more evident than in the failed efforts of the big names – Ralph Lauren, Prada, Stella McCartney, Hermès, and Salvatore Ferragamo – to make the words “sport” and “fashion” synonymous by lending their design nous to this year’s Olympic teams.

The US and UK teams are the most high-profile in terms of uniforms – the US because of Ralph Lauren’s “controversial” decision to outsource production of its uniforms to China, a fact that doesn’t seem to bother anyone except when it’s related to the most patriotic of occasions, and the UK, because it is the host nation and we’ve all got our knickers in a twist about Stella McCartney’s designs.

While Lauren has at least got the fashion world talking with his use of slightly militaristic berets and stiff, buttoned-up blazers, McCartney has left us determinedly unsurprised. It was always hoped that, in designing for Adidas, McCartney would bring her womenswear expertise to bear on the three-striped brand; on the contrary, it seems Adidas has made a sportswear designer out of McCartney.

The UK team did, at least, get their chance for glory with the oh-so-subtle use of gold metallic on the white and gold jackets designed by high-street shop Next for the opening ceremony.

Prada, tasked with outfitting the Italian sailing team, presented a beautiful array of full-colour sketches, depicting lean, pencil-drawn figures outfitted in sky blue and navy, with tell-tale red Prada accents. Of course, the sketches bore little resemblance to the blue windbreakers and navy tracksuit bottoms the team wore as they huddled on the shore for a photograph, windswept and squinting into the sun.

Hermès is about the only fashion house that got it right in being somewhat conservative; the French heritage brand designed the jackets worn by the French equestrian team, which look rather spiffy and suit the luxurious label down to its horse-riding roots.

And word on the street that Salvatore Ferragamo designed the uniforms for the Republic of San Marino team is proving difficult to prove in a visual sense: the team of four walked the opening ceremony in suits and nifty white dresses, but Ferragamo’s beautifully tailored macs and chinos were nowhere to be found.

For all of the fashion talk surrounding this year’s Olympic Games, the biggest buzz surrounded Tom Daley’s swimming costume – or lack thereof. Designed by McCartney, it seems built to defy all laws of physics and gravity. Damn sports science.

Less is more when it comes to meeting your ex 

My boyfriend and I broke up a couple of weeks ago, and now he’s asked me to meet him for a coffee. He ended things, and I’ve heard that he’s now seeing someone else, so I don’t think it’s a reconciliation meeting, and I have no idea what to wear. I’m not very dressy and I don’t want to look like I’m making a big effort for him, but I don’t want to look like I’m spending all of my time in my tracksuit bottoms crying at the telly either. Any tips?

Mary, by email

First thing’s first, Mary: there’s no shame in spending all of one’s time in one’s tracksuit bottoms crying in front of the television – for some of us, it’s a monthly ritual that’s entirely unrelated to heartache, and at least you have an excuse.

I’d start by thinking about what you usually wear: if you’ve spent two years with him wearing skinny jeans and T-shirts, turning up in a dress and heels is only going to set alarm bells ringing. In this circumstance, less is more – you want to give the impression that you’re calm, relaxed and not making too much effort.

Go for something along these lines (1, from a selection at Dorothy Perkins) – a pair of jeans, a cute tee (although we’d lose the sequins) and a statement jacket with ankle boots. White is clean and relaxed and should calm you down if you’re feeling a little anxious.

A grey tee gives off an air of indifference, and this number from Zara (2, €19.95) has faux leather sleeves. We’d pair it with a statement necklace and dress the rest down with skinny jeans, boots and a casual jacket.

Topshop's geo print blazer (3, €68, or £45 on topshop.com) will look great with any basics and isn't too "out there" either. We'd wear this with a plain white tee or Zara's grey number, a man's watch and a pair of boyfriend jeans.

Make-up artist Lisa Eldridge ( lisaeldridge.com) recently did a video on how to do your make-up for meeting the ex (honestly, you'll find everything on the internet these days) which is worth a look if you have red, puffy bits you want to cover up.

But ultimately, let’s not kid ourselves: there are few occasions on which a man will properly notice what you are wearing, and they are on your wedding day, on Halloween (and only when you are a naughty schoolgirl), and when you’re getting undressed and he helpfully pipes up, “Nice knickers, granny,” having ignored your Victoria’s Secret undies for the past year.

In search of work wear that doesn't involve skater skirts 

I’m finding it increasingly difficult to find clothing to wear to work now that I’m closer to 50 than 40 and looking for dresses (or skirt suits) that cover my upper arms and knees. I appreciate all of the modern trends that are out there at the moment, but I’m beyond skater skirts and lace shirts at this stage. I don’t want to spend my life’s savings, but I don’t have too tight a budget.

Liz, by email

They say that, if you’ve seen a trend come around once, you’re possibly too mature to indulge in it second time around, so I’d agree that skater skirts and lace might not be your thing. Nor, indeed, should you be convinced to try on a pair of leather trousers or indulge in some digital prints. There are plenty of options for stylish workwear, especially if you don’t have too strict a budget.

This Roland Mouret dress (1, €1,580 at Costume) is a great shape. It has a contrast belt in black velvet trim and the neckline is high enough to be demure, as well as having long sleeves. Roland Mouret fits like a glove, but you’ll pay for the privilege. If you have the money, it’s a sound investment.

Claire Doyle is a young Irish designer who comes highly recommended for exactly the kind of thing you're looking for. Her designs are beautifully tailored and fitted, while providing exactly the right amount of cover. This dress and jacket (2, €295 and €320, respectively), in a gorgeous royal blue colour, can be worn together or separately. Best of all, Doyle will see you for a private fitting at her studio in Smithfield, Dublin 2; clairedoyle.ie

Heidi Higgins is another young Irish designer worth keeping an eye on. Her designs have been cropping up on the best-dressed on race day, but she does a great line in work-appropriate tailoring, too. This tweed skirt suit (3, jacket, €325, and skirt, €215, worn with silk shirt, €179) is a lovely, contemporary take on a classic shape and fabric and is covered up without being shapeless; heidihiggins.com