Fad*ish- fashion and design

If you were to take a look at Burberry’s recent advertising campaigns, the famous London-based brand would seem to appeal only to young, hip, garden-privy socialites. This is a far cry from a company bearing the royal stamp of approval, and an even further cry from its Basingstoke, Hampshire beginnings. After further investigation -- once you have stripped away the rainy-chic ads, the glamorous runways, its hot new creative director Christopher Bailey, and of course those countless music videos where sexy vixens wear their signature trench coat and naught beneath -- Burberry boils down to it’s polished customer base, who is as classically lined as its signature check. Being a Burberry woman without breaking the bank, is difficult but not impossible; let’s take a crack at it.

That Famous Coat. No company has yet mastered the art of imitating the Burberry raincoat within a moderate price point. Some might say London Fog has made clever strides through the years with their fortuitous brand extensions, but it still doesn’t hold the same weight as Burberry -- just has ‘London’ in its name, really. Others might say the same USA born Burberry wearer, might also shop at Brooks Brothers, especially in the recession, but chances are she or he is still dusting off their Burberry heirloom when it starts to drizzle. With all that said, if you really want the Burberry look, you are going to have to buckle down, and just buy the damn coat.

On top. Clean, well-woven and natural fabrics. This is the part where you take all those spandex infused skirts, with all their promises of non-ironing and stretch appeal, and toss them right into the garbage. Nothing says ‘I have money’ like 100% -- even if it is not Egyptian-- fabrics that come from a tree or plant: like flax, cotton, or bamboo. Pick one in any natural shade of plant dye, and play with the many silhouettes. Some might go more conservative, but I am selecting Single Needle Tailoring’s “Groover” top available at Bloomingdales for $113.

The bottom half. It doesn’t have to be tailor-made, but it does have to have structure. Pick fabrics that you would wear to your country estate -- imagine, if you don’t already have one. Fabrics aimed to keep warm, or accompany you with your foxes and hounds. Heavy or napped fabrics (tweeds or good quality corduroys) will give any shirt, no matter how frilly, an ounce of conservative credibility. I chose a pair of cropped pants from Benetton’s fall 2009 collection (price available in stores).

If the shoe fits. Is there Burberry etiquette for shoe height? These days I doubt it. But no matter how high you heel yourself, the style is the most important thing. Keep your colors anything from cool neutrals to black, and a pair that requires laces, is always a nice touch. Surprisingly, TopShop’s Amber Crepe Sole Platform Boot fits the bill at $170.00.

My last tip would be not to tamper with perfection. Have you ever seen a Burberry ad campaign where the models were accessorized to the max? No. That is because in Burberry-land less is more. Other than a chunky knit muffler, a checkered or plain scarf, or a pair of opaque stockings, this look is an accessory free zone. You don’t need bells and whistles to pull off it, you need the right attitude. If you walk into a room with an air of sophistication, few men will deny you your cup o’ tea and sandwiches with the crusts cut off.

Labels: Style