It may only be the month of May, but autumn's cuts, styles and trends will be in the shops before you can say, 'is that it?' I know, I am also desperately hopeful for a hot summer as well, but the realist in me has accepted that I may be wearing chunky leather boots all year. Anyway, let's talk about one trend that, like said boots, will bridge fashions past to present and future.
Since filing through the showrooms and trawling the rails of the autumn/winter collections, it is clear that one trend is here to stay; Americana. Prada and Marc Jacobs started off the trend for spring/summer 2012 with glossy leather, brilliant bright red lips, wet-look fabrics and Cadillac's.
Since the economic climate has stalled in a perpetual recession, we are all enjoying the fun 'n' flirty aesthetic of 1950s Americana, why not? (Note: punks, goths and Scandi-only minimalists, you may as well stop right here.) Whether it is through cool and slouchy letterman tees, pastel-bright cheerleading skirts or bad-boy varsity jackets, it is a trend that has many confident shades of chic, plus everyone from Topshop to Tom Ford are in the gang, so, are you?
When I think of Americana 1950s fashion I see candyfloss pinks, Danny Zukko and barber shop boys. However, today I am talking about a different look, the cool and loud sportswear look that shouts a 'just-off-the-American-football pitch' cool. It's easy to wear, all you have to do is introduce it into your wardrobe through separates, one-at-a-time (note: it isn't sexy-cool to wear the look head-to-toe, think catwalk and not fancy dress.) Whistles have a grey marl tee that nods to the trend, simply wear it with a blush coloured tailored trousers and a slick tuxedo jacket for an easy/cool evening look, or clash it against Whistles bright jacquard print trousers for a more full-on effect. As always, style with simple, streamline stilettos (like these fierce numbers from Zara) for a sense of irony, yes you look sporty, no you are not playing sport.
And this brings me to more cheer lead looks, that being full and fun skirts, bare midriffs (#optional) and cats eyes sunglasses. Henry Holland's current collection screams Americana, with striped and lettered jumpers and one lovely flared dress that manages to be both girlie and grown up; just add a navy blazer and strappy YSLs to keep it classy.
Henry Holland gives us brilliant cheerleader inspired brights
Personally, I like the shorter flippy fifties cuts that flare out mid-thigh, they're short but not too racy and make your legs look super-slim. The shops are full of punchy colours and bold designs, Zara has a great monochrome and red number which is both sixties and modern; I would wear it simply with a silk shirt and block heeled sandals. However, if you fancy something more Pink Ladies, Topshop have a very cheeky little skater skirt which would really spin and with a tonal palette of nude, blush and light pinks; cute. Finally, complete the look with a killer pair of frames, Prada is my go to for classic fifties cat-eye designs or if you fancy something more directional look to Prism, the brilliant London-based label, (these super-sharp frames are slick.)
Prada knows fierce eyewear - Spring/Summer 2013
A hard-working wardrobe piece, 3.1 Phillip Lim's distressed bomber
And finally, the piece that I really want to talk about is the varsity jacket/bomber. Somewhere in between Grease, Emilio Estevez from 1992s The Mighty Ducks and Tom Ford's autumn/winter 2013, it got cool.
I am desperate to invest in the right one, which in my head has a navy wool body and smooth leather sleeves. Seen it? What I love about this part-retro/part street-style garment is the ease of its shape, it's perfect buttoned up for preppy, or worn draped over the shoulders for a more editorial look. It manages to be both off-duty but also 9-5, both unstructured and structured; it a trans-seasonal masterpiece. I am currently in love with two very different designs. One is quiet but fantastic, a black distressed bomber design from one of my favourite designers, Phillip Lim. As seen in the look above, (styled by BROWNS) it is both sporty luxe and sophistictaed; I know it would be a very hard-waorking piece in my wardrobe.
Then, there is Tom Ford who delivered a style/entire collection look that had such colourful kapow, the 'FROW' was rendered speechless, look at it below, isn't it magnificent? Zig-zags, florals and neons all featured throughout - oh my.
So that's my current Americana musings for today, how are you wearing it?
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