Bad taste is good taste when it comes to dressing ladylike separates with a kick. Hag In A Black Leather Jacket is the aptly titled debut short film by cult American film director and comedian John Waters, whose female protagonists often have a strong sense of style inspired by 50s delinquents and brassy bad girls in all their kitsch glory.
That blend of sass and
camp is probably best summed up in Female Trouble, when lead character Dawn Davenport snarls to her friends, before Christmas Day, a now iconic line: "My parents are going to be sorry if I don't get my cha-cha heels."
Several key pieces this season lend themselves to that dichotomy of naughty but nice - from fitted housecoats, peek-a-boo pencil skirts, brazen heels and chintzy costume jewellery, the perfect addition to party and race-wear looks this season.
The myriad 50s and 60s-inspired sunglasses available now are another way to add a tough girl edge to an otherwise prim and proper outfit. Channel the brassy Rizzo and her Pink Lady friends in Grease with a pair of cat-eye frames such as the beautiful amber Oliver Goldsmith pair from Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear (#4).
