The new hand: fingerless gloves and dazzling colours

Gloves are the new hands.

They are everywhere in all shapes and forms: they are the new accessory of the winter, and designers have declined them from classical to crazy.

They go from John Galliano red suede to Miu Miu's frilled leather pair to some puffy sleeves on eBay.

What most of them have in common: they are fingerless.

To me this means nail varnish.

After all, if the hand is covered the nails stand out even more, and it is a perfect excuse to match the nail varnish to the bold colours of the rest of the accessories.

It is also easier than trying on fluo eye shadows and it adds a personal touch to winter styles.

Burgundy and bright red are in vogue, but it is easy to break the mould and go for something dazzling.

Chanel does marine blue and gold. Bright green, yellow, clementine and myriads of other colours are easy to find cheaply at Camden market or smaller stores.

Time to break the myth of 'the French Fashion Style'

People keep assuming that the French have the best fashion sense in the world.

It is true that they are renowned for their Haute-Couture houses and The 'Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne' (the Association of Haute Couture Houses), created in 1868, still rules the Couture world.

Every year a Paris based commission declares which houses are eligible to showcase collections under the term 'Haute Couture'.

All this because Paris was undeniably the epicenter of high fashion for centuries, ever since the sublime extravagences of the Court of King Louis XIV (1638-1715).

In the 18th Century, Marie Antoinette had a Fashion Minister, and her dress sense was celebrated and copied everywhere in Europe.

But since then, it has all gone downhill...

The average French person has no idea who designs for Dior.

It is not that the French lack class as a nation, but in terms of wardrobe, it is a little bit limited. The typical young french person has the choice between three main styles:

1. The laid-back classic: jeans, a black/grey/brown top, and black shoes - pumps or 2in heels max mostly.
2. The fake seventies hippie with: large cotton trousers, a large cotton formless top, formless cotton bag and trainers or flip-flops. Dreadlocks are a must.
   
3. The urban Sportswear look: the french version of the Bronx hip-hop/rapper.

A little colourless?

That is another thing that french people resent: colour.

It is considered a crime to wear anything that isn't black, grey, brown or dark blue. Dark purple and a few other dark colours are accepted. As long as nothing is bright.

This is why the streets of Paris are, unlike the common notion, extremely dull.

After all even their top fashion houses employ designers from other countries. Think about John Galliano for Dior, Alexander McQueen for Givenchy (until 2001), or Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel.