Victoria Beckham: Less is more!
Features | Tamara Abraham | January 30, 2007
seriously, despite the fact that it was actually penned by esteemed Guardian fashion writer Hadley Freeman, and Grazia continue to critique almost every outfit with savage wit.The problem, I believe, with Victoria is that no-one ever warned her that less is more. The poor woman is clearly so desperate to be accepted by the fashion community that she’ll try to fit in as many trends as possible into one outfit, or wear one designer’s catwalk look head-to-toe (note the Alexander McQueen ensemble she wore last fashion week). Kate Moss, or Mary-Kate Olsen, women universally regarded as style icons, never look like they gave their outfits more than a moments thought - and this works. It’s the look pioneered by Rachel Zoe, infamous stylist to Nicole Ritchie et al - that louche, slightly rock-chick cool that looks effortlessly glamorous (but requires as much styling as one of Posh’s ensembles).
Victoria could never manage this look because her heels are always that little bit too high, her top is a tiny bit too low or her dress is just too tight. It’s all a bit much. Having said that, if the OTT dressing was the only problem, I don’t think Victoria would be as victimised as much as she is by the British press. She so wants to be accepted that we never see her less than perfectly groomed - never in flats, or an old t-shirt, or even without full make-up. This makes her seem partly desperate and slightly unreal making the public feel as if they have a freer rein to criticise her. What also adds to the equation is that she never really looks happy - it would be nice to see her without the perpetual miserable pout - come on Victoria, you have a lot to smile about, a handsome husband, three adorable children, billions in the bank!
So is true style really anything to do with clothes at all? Well I wouldn’t go as far as to say they’re irrelevant - fashion is a multi-billion pound business for a very good reason, but I honestly feel that there’s a lot of truth to the expression ‘it’s not what you wear, it’s how you wear it’. Even better…… ‘Wear the clothes, don’t let them wear you’ and there is no doubt that you’ll shine.
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Well, congratulations on the article!All that philosophy does not only applies to Posh, but to every single woman/man in earth.. You have managed to catch the essence of it! I loved it!
PS(my link will only work in 1st January)…
My friend and I argue constantly about why Kate Moss is a fashion icon and why Posh isn’t,me being in favour of Kate and him being pro-Posh. This article just took all the words out of her mouth. I think Posh’s case shows that money doesn’t buy you style; it blinds you from what it really is. Victoria should stop putting on a show, especially as her desperate blog http://www.dvbstyle.com shows. Kate would never get dressed and post pictures and videos of herself “looking fabulous” on a jet and what not. VICTORIA GET A LIFE.
Oh and i know this lbd and cinch belt combo probably cost her a ton BUT even kate looks much more stylish in her vintage digs or even mary kate in her skinnies and vivienne westwood killer ankle boots. Posh should give that look back to Dita von teese
You know what? instead of trying to take pity at the disaster that is victoria beckham let’s just say it out loud. Posh is the quintessential Fashion Victim, and that’s not a good thing at all.
Brilliant look at her style - I think you hit the nail on the head. Looking like you’ve put too much effort in ruins the effect of a good outfit - and worrying too much about what people think does the same. Great article
I think she is truly a style icon although I wish her arms weren’t quite as thin. She sometimes looks like she is about to shatter into a thousand pieces at any moment…
She Try to impress herself, by dressing OTT….
As years go by, she will feel the pinch of saying “Leave me alone, fedup of photographing me in this ugly state.” She looks beautiful with lots & lots of makeup & assistant trailing her back, the question is “What & how does she look during early morning call and when she hit 40 years?” …… mmmmmm DREADFUL is the word!!!!! Constant lots of makeup plus the sun exposure damages the skin.
Good luck to whatever she achieve, but let your hair down sometimes……… meaning be down to earth!!!!!!