On account of the warmer weather, my ongoing experimentation with some new styles has been a little less restrictive than usual. So far, layering has largely been ditched in favour of lighter materials, with much brighter colours and a variety of new accessories to boot. If there’s ever a good time refresh your wardrobe, it’s spring.
I consider myself more interested in how these styles will persist in 2016. Every time the sun comes out after a prolonged period, the outfits born out of sheer relief alone are usually interesting to observe.
Here’s a taste of what I’ve seen so far, and a sign of things to come over the course of springtime.
Vintage clothing carries much emotional weight with it. Whether you’re primarily 50s, 60s, or 70s inspired, each time gave birth to a unique style that empowered women from that era, and gives hope to us stuck in bleaker millennial days. I take vintage influence from many eras, combining it into something unique each time.
My main vintage love at the moment is flapper dresses, usually adorned with glittering tassels and frilly lace to really capture people’s attention.
Vintage prom dresses and maxi dresses also offer a similar look, but with less accessories. To me, this style somehow captures the naive glitz and optimism of the pre-war period, at a time when Hollywood was on the cultural rise and the American dream was in its infancy.
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| rockmyvintage.co.uk |
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| Alexander McQueen SS16. Image from vogue.com |
Vintage prom dresses and maxi dresses also offer a similar look, but with less accessories. To me, this style somehow captures the naive glitz and optimism of the pre-war period, at a time when Hollywood was on the cultural rise and the American dream was in its infancy.
Boho Influence
Last Summer, the boho look was massively popular. Both for the practicality and the stylish appeal, the boho influence persisted well past winter and is back once again in our sphere of influence in early spring. The style is seen as a natural response to well established female fashion trends, offering an alternative and influence which can assimilated into many a personal style.
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| image from glamour.com |
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| Alexander McQueen SS16. Image from vogue.com |
By all means, bring back the boho, but remember that we’ve seen it before and, as fashionistas, we crave something new and exciting. Long flowing dresses, patterned materials and experimental accessories are just some of the ways your style can incorporate boho tradition. Take influence from other aspects of this style period too, as the 60s and 70s was a glorious time for realising the strong and stylish female identity.
Athletic Aspiration
If keeping cool is the name of the game, whilst also maintaining your stylish self, the rising trend of Athleisure is almost guaranteed to be popular this spring. For the uninitiated, Athleisure comprises the growing bloc of high-end athletic wear, including designer gym wear that is intended to be worn on an everyday basis as a representation of an active lifestyle, as well as a rejection of overbearing feminine style expectations.
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| Cloe SS16 image from vogue.com |
It answers an important question for many women: why can’t I look good and feel comfortable? This mindset I can completely identify with, and I’m interested in how established designers will cater to this strong market. Manufacturers will also need to highlight the functional aspects of athletic clothing, including its quick drying, odour-resistant, and moisture wicking capabilities.
Party like it’s 1990
Remember heroin chic? 1990 gave me almost too much fashion influence to bear, serving largely as my biggest inspiration for the constant exploration of fashion and style boundaries. In my own words, the 90s was a time for fashion when form followed function, and experimentation was the name of the game, from oversized coats and jackets to the incorporation of casual sportswear, disparate jewellery and iridescent make-up.
There’s plenty of sources to take inspiration from during 1990 and beyond, but mainly what I believe will seep into our springtime state-of-mind is the general chaos of 90’s fashion. Unlike many other periods, 90s fashion-makers seemed more concerned with the process itself, resulting in a wide range of amazing styles that could never have persisted with the madness of assimilation. The influence of various cultural styles is clear, and part of what makes 90s fashion so irreverent and fun.
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*Thank you to Thoughtshift for sharing their little thoughts and wardrobe wants!
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