August Annotations

Issue #19 Supplement

Mandy Searles is a modern girl who adores timeless style.

“I love the style of royal British & European women,” she says. “Elegant through and through.”

It may sound like an odd thing to hear from a young American woman in her twenties. Today many young ladies are dressing like the starlets they see on tv and in magazines: wearing clothes that leave little to the imagination.

“I think that women today try too hard, especially girls my age and in their teens. They think being sexy is wearing a short skirt, plunging shirts or tight pants. It’s sad, really. You’re attractive when you have elegance and confidence, not when you wear risque clothing.”

After working for nearly a decade on her website, “Mandy’s British Royalty”, royal historian Mandy has come across an array of clothing styles worn by queens and crown princesses across the globe. By carefully watching British and European royals, she has seen how taste and spectacularly tailored clothing get royal women respect and admiration from people everywhere. It’s something that she learned early on about women in the public eye.

“How they dress is what makes people take notice. It’s just the way it is when you are a public figure representing your country. Your clothes say a lot about you.”

Mandy believes that cutting a dashing figure evokes a lot of emotion and pride amongst people, but she is quick to point out that it’s not just clothes that make the entire woman.

“Royal ladies like Mary of Denmark and Maxima of Holland, for instance, show their love for their people by representing them well. And not just in their clothing, but by their words and deeds. Their subjects appreciate that.”

Mandy’s favorite royal, Queen Elizabeth II of Britain, has the best outfits of all, not to mention an array of wonderful hats! Elizabeth has it all as far as Mandy is concerned.

“The Queen has always been a role model to me. Ever since I began my British Royal research at the age of 17, I’ve been inspired by her. Many other royal women have been inspiring me lately, as well; they are strong, confident, and stylish! I hope that young women in America start realizing that there are better role models than Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, or Paris Hilton, ad infinitum. I hope to encourage many to start looking across the pond to royal women.”

Mandy’s other heroes include Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine from “What Not To Wear”.

“Let’s face it,” she says. “Trinny and Susannah know what they’re talking about!”

The hosts of the tv show “What Not To Wear” provide a fashion fix for many. “I have taken a page from their book and have posted some advice to young girls and women today on my blog.” said Mandy.

“And let me just say this: I am not some fashion diva. I could care less what people are wearing on catwalks. However, I do think people need to look their best whether it be elegant or casual. Too many women are walking around looking like they are ‘on the pull’. It’s filtering down to our young girls, which I think is a bad sign.”

Whether you’re a public persona or a regular gal, says Mandy, you need to dress appropriately.

“When you dress, think of it this way,” she says. “Who would take a nation seriously with a Princess Muffin-top?”

©2006 www.mandysroyalty.org
Do Not Reprint Without Permission

Being a Lady:
Dressing Well, Not By Age

Prince Harry’s girlfriend Chelsy Davy has been labeled a ‘chav’, but couturier Matthew Williamson — whose clients include Sienna Miller and Jade Jagger — says there’s nothing wrong with Chelsy’s wardrobe. He counters that people are “mean” to mock Chelsy.

Chelsy is now a public person by virtue of dating Prince Harry, and no matter what anyone says, good or bad, she’d better just get used to publicity. Meanness or niceness doesn’t matter. People are going to talk no matter what.

However, if one wants to garner good press and get compliments, not to mention respect, tight clothes and short skirts are not the way to do it.

Proof? Look at the princesses and queens of the world. Look at our very own Queen Elizabeth. Do any of these ladies dress in anything other than sheer elegance? You don’t necessarily need large jewels or tiaras to be glamorous, it’s the cut and fit of well made clothes. Having genuine style is what makes people admire you, not constant reminders that you have cleavage.

Chelsy’s reputation for her rather interesting wardrobe isn’t helped by Matthew Williamson. Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, he makes himself sound a bit dodgy. “The worst thing in the world is when people start dressing older than they are, and she [Chelsy] certainly doesn’t do that.[..]”

Dressing “older” than they are? Is he implying that older means dowdy? I suppose Mariah Carey, nearly 40, is acceptable because she wears extremely tight clothes and short skirts. Apparently, dressing “younger” than you are is fine while dressing with some class is not.

Williamson will have a fine career in Hollywood!!

Written by: Mandy
© 2006 www.mandysroyalty.org