On best behavior

MANILA, Philippines - More than the war of darkness against the light, fashion archetypes have always been pitted against the edgy and the safe. While the previous seasons have seen the fierce fashion warrior in head-to-toe black — armorized in battle-ready hardware of studs, grommets, spikes, chains and structural shoulders — this season sees a complete turnaround with a more conservative and traditional take on fashion.

Contradiction is not surprising in this industry. In fact, once a trend has been twisted and tweaked to saturation, a different aesthetic is a prerequisite. And since we’ve embraced the sexy girl-about-town’s social uniform of cling tight bondage dresses and formidable sartorial imperviousness, it’s only natural that an understated archetype should rise up to the occasion.

Or it could also be, that in this generation of accessibility, where everything from facts, food to fashion should be in lightning speed, slowing down and going back to what’s familiar is comfortable. Ladylike dressing with all its demureness and sweet innocence is not only classic, it’s a nod back to the times where everything was more simple, easy and where “talk to you later” means an actual verbal conversation and does not involve any online chatting, text messaging or tweeting.

This time around though, the shapes — below-the-knee hemlines, full skirts, sweaters and square necklines, a-line tunic mini shift dresses, twin sets, pencil skirts with cardigans — are finished in the most luxurious of materials: cashmere, fur, embroidered tweed, velvet, brocades, and knits threaded with Lurex. All the while paired with the season’s new footwear height (or should I say low?) — 2 inches — in blocked squares for the buckled loafers, or kitten heels for the pointy ones.

But herein lies the dilemma, if you were the tailored, structurally clad, statement footwear glamazon (which was the reigning archetype ever since forever), would shifting to a more inconspicuous style make your personal statement an evolution or would you end up just being runway roadkill? Personal thoughts on this one as well since I’ve always been more keen on wearing formidable architecturally-inspired pieces. But there is a compromise. The modern marm runway version not only updates through expensive texture, she has options for the not-too-girly type, digital retro prints at Prada and leather variations at Louis Vuitton.

One thing’s for sure though, with technical construction focused more on giving a fuller womanly figure — what with a re-focus on the decolletage and the waist, the gentlemen in our lives would surely appreciate the softer and subtler sexiness.

And If that’s not enough feminine nostalgia to convince you that ladylike dressing is elbowing its way to high street mass knock-off-ability, then let the international publications sway you. Miu Mius enchantingly sweet, square neckline shift dress that’s beribboned and embellished with flower trims made it to not only one but three covers for August: Lily Allen in Elle UK, Eva Mendes in W and model Freja Beha Erichsen in Vogue UK.