Rihanna meeting everyone half way

I've tried to hold off on publishing this blog because I thought it would be yesterdays news by now, however it seems the topic is still fresh enough to discuss. I'm talking Rihanna's very controversial Adam Selman dress, covered in 216,000 Swarovski crystals - and for those who've been living under a rock it was practically sheer.

Obviously everyone is entitled to their own opinion of fashion meets edge, I for one have always supported Rihanna's daring style, however this one definitely caught me off guard. It's fair to say she didn't leave much to the imagination and the debate continues as to whether or not a red carpet look should have copped the same, if not more, sexual attention than her own, very fitting, best seller 'Skin' (points to those who understood the lyrics reference in the title).

As I flick through my countless fashion magazines; for me there is nothing sexier than a plunged neckline, backless ensemble or a sneaky slither of side boob. However this is purely because I'm all about Subtle Sexy - and Rihanna's bear naked look at the CFDA Fashion Awards was far from it. Women don't pull out half buttoned, oversized, white shirts paired with stiletto Louboutons and a trusty red lip for nothing - they do it to create an illusion, to demonstrate power and perhaps remind him what he's been missing. Now that every man and his dog knows what Rihanna has got going on under her lace undergarments (as seen in previous outfits) a touch of mystery has been lost. 

Like Beyonce says I'm all for independent women buying the shoes on their feet whilst waving a house key around holla-ing 'I bought it'. However to the critics dropping headlines proclaiming this is one of the most feminist statements the pop world has made to date - I say get a grip. I don't see male music artists walking around with diamonte encrusted mankini's proclaiming it's a testament to their manhood. What's next? Female pop stars fronting 'vajazzled' - because we've ran out of other feminists statements to make. 

At the end of the day Rihanna made an outfit choice, and although I think it was particularly more suited to the bedroom rather than the red carpet I don't think she should be stripped of her Fashion Icon Award over it. In fact, at the beginning of this week I entered a discussion with local fashion store Goldilocks Boutique and a top trending comment was that this sort of dress code, by stars, is becoming increasingly impressionable upon younger members of society. In light of this, others found it amusing and almost ironic that she would accept this iconic award in a dress that was so controversial - but I guess that's what fashion is all about.


Perhaps a nude lining wouldn't have gone astray but it certainly wouldn't have racked up as much attention as this very memorable number has...

Who else is interested to see Rihanna's next red carpet look? I know I am.

Sinful maxi

Don't mix prints.

Horizontal stripes double your size.

Red and green should never be seen (unless on a holiday reindeer sweater). 

Denim on denim is not a statement (Justin and Britney couldn't even win that battle).

Velour tracksuits never did anyone any good (not even Regina's mom).

And jeggings... well, not much more needs to be said.

Regardless of their relevance to current fashion trends, these are just a handful of rules that have seen so many conform to the what's hot and what's not. But with the fashion world recently flipping a 180 on us, its now actually acceptable to sport a pair of kicks with a leather mesh skort, pair polka dots with stripes and in fact get away with denim on denim.

So whilst society has always instilled fashion dos and don’ts, I have always lived by a few of my own. I’ve never minded a horizontal striped sailor tee and can somewhat wrap my head around the odd animal print outfit (on somebody else), however when it comes to maxi dresses on the vertically challenged; alarm bells have always sent me running in the opposite direction. I’ve always carried around the baggage that I’m short, and therefore if my legs are covered, it'll appear as though I don’t have any. Rational thinking I know but hey - until surgery will break both my kneecaps and extend out my joints by a couple of inches, I guess heels and these dos and don’ts will have to suffice.

Although told many a times that my theory was bizarre, and that that full length white maxi dress in the front window of David Jones - a couple of seasons ago - would have looked great on my petite figure, I just couldn’t shake the idea that I was setting myself up for failure.

That was until now.

I tied the knot (at shin length) with a black maxi dress I met whilst holidaying in Santorini. I was sold when the sales assistant suggested taking baby steps in the length that would gradually lead me to fronting the long fabric in all its glory. Knowing myself far too well in all my inelegance, I figured I’d probably mimic the village idiot tripping up the white steps of Santorini and into a pile of Donkey shit, had I not taken into consideration the assistant’s advice. So between knotting and holding the bottom of the dress in the palm of my sweaty hand – I managed to pull off a seamlessly stack free tragedy.

There’s just something about taking fashion risks in new environments that impulses us to dress the way we want to be seen. Hidden from the ones that know us best, not only do we experience the realms of new surroundings but also our own style.

I now stand here slapping my wrist at the thought of the vertically challenged not being able to pull off a staple item in women’s wardrobes. 
Meet my significant other below, born and bred from a Santorini boutique, Spicy. It features a low dip back and two pieces of pleated fabric to move away from a typical little black dress. The boutique stocks local Greek brands and designers, and more importantly ships overseas. If you're wanting to sport the most recent European styles for our summer, I’d definitely recommend paying the site a visit for some inspiration.

Wearing a Nidodileda black maxi dress, Givenchy Embossed Rubber Grommet Sandal, Ray Ban sunglasses & Tiffany & Co. necklace.