Sophisticated Dame

Honestly, it is a guilty pleasure ... this Oscar Red Carpet ... a clandestine peek into a woman's psyche - or at least that of her stylist.  Ms. Mirren's stylist for the event was none other than Becks Welsh  who also styled Helena Bonham Carter that evening of February 27th.

Two distinct women and two distinct styles.

Both with distictly Authentic Voices.

Ms. Mirren did not disappoint on the 27th. 

Given that she wanted to wear a British Designer, HM's choice of a gunmetal grey silk Vivienne Westwood was spot on.  Westwood has had an amazing career and has always been interested in pushing the envelope and has a flair for the dramatic ... if you have been around the block, you probably remember the Sex Pistols God Save the Queen ... or maybe her getting her OBE with no knickers on ...

But I digress ...

HM uses the dramatic puff sleeve detail and the ruching to play up her attributes fabulously.  She has an amazing body and knows how to work a dress to her advantage ... she is not overly bedecked and bejeweled. The color of the silk shimmers and really plays up her fair coloring ... that and a little blush, a pale pink on the lips, and simple eye makeup equals a sophisticated ensemble for a very sophisticated Dame (literally).

Ok ... all well and good but how does this apply to the rest of us mere mortals?   I use HM as an example of a woman who knows who she is - and everyone can learn from this.  She has a strong sense of herself - her strengths and weaknesses; She is 65 ... she is not sleeveless but she is on occasion!  If I could talk for her, I think she might just say something like "Dear, just because you can does not mean you should".

She is confident - and confidence is sexy ... has nothing to do with showing skin.  We all know what it feels like when we look good - Own that feeling!  That feeling could be inspired by a good hair day; that first day that you get to put away the winter boots and get that pedicure up and running again; fitting into a pair of jeans that have lain fallow in your drawer for a few months (or years!); cleaning out your closet and letting the past go ...

Be authentic - be yourself - this is an internal thing.  Women invest time in trying to fit in - drawing attention to oneself has the potential for making one a target.  Pay not one iota of attention to the haters - march to your own drummer and stand up for yourself.

Just think of the stories you can tell ... I, for one, am taking some pages from Helen and Vivienne's books ... maybe, when I am called to the castle, I won't be wearing any knickers either!