The Vogue Spring/Summer 2011 catwalk report guides the Fashionista to the trends soon to wash the high street. It would seem that this spring, everything is in, with bold, bright colour stealing the limelight, sleak sportswear is not far behind, followed by white, blue, orange and retaining it’s place on the catwalk, nudes. Also featured, boho inspired homespun textures, floaty maxi numbers, florals (of course), prints and denim, denim, denim in all ways possible.
What stands out though is the seventies spirit obvious in many designers’ collections for spring; a trend that has clearly been picked up by high street giants already with TOPSHOP’s online homepage featuring “preppy classics with a 70s twist” and ASOS showing “the new denim” with stonewash flares as the chosen item to covet. Also obvious in many stores is the skyscraper platform see Dorothy Perkins for patterned chunky heels and TOPSHOP for wooden wedges – the higher the better.
Colour blocking, the major style story of the catwalks for spring/summer is, in many cases also seventies inspired, particularly seen at Marc Jacobs where lurex materials were used to create a disco fever, studio 54 vibe. Graphic prints in bold colours paired down with jeans and fringed accessories for a relaxed hippy style make the seventies feel new this time round.
Furthermore, from April 18th ASOS REVIVE’s new collection couldn’t channel this 70s look more, inspiration clearly taken from Marc Jacobs the floaty evening dresses in bright colours, also available will be palazzo pants (another trend for spring/summer) and kaftans.
Also bang on trend are maxi skirts and dresses in bright colours, zig zag or stripey prints, tucked in and paired with a simple blouse or tee you’ll have the seventies sorted for spring. However once again I have my reservations; yes I do believe that maxi dresses and floor skimming skirts would look fabulous but will they really look that fantastic after we’ve spent twenty minutes on that arduous walk to uni, and the bike… that’s definitely out. Working the maxi right now seems out of the question, maybe later in the year… However, for those of you fashion forward enough to give it a go, I salute you and you will most probably look great.
The floppy hats, as seen at Marc Jacobs and featured in Sunday Times Style are bordering on ridiculous for the student, possibly only useful if jaunting off to the French Riviera (if only).
Much easier to wear are the peasant blouses patterned in paisley or collarless shirts in bright coloured silk, with your platforms for the easiest seventies style update.
Wide leg trousers are clearly one of the biggest fashion statements of the seventies and designers are bringing it back. As work wear yes, I accept and they are flattering on almost anyone but, as students, do we actually want to wear them? My answer is probably no, we’ll stick to our skinnies because, lets face it, flares just don’t seem cool, especially not on campus. ASOS describes the bell bottomed jeans as “the big news” but I’m not so sure it will catch on for the masses. Browsing TOPSHOP, it was obvious that as of yet, they aren’t introducing the flared jean, every single pair of jeans were straight or skinny. However in a large photographic advert above the denim section a model wears a buttoned up shirt with nothing other than stonewashed flared dungarees – so watch this space.
Much more likely to catch on are the platforms – they look great and can be worn with absolutely everything, buy now before everyone is wearing them! Here are my favourites…
