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Denim is a mainstay at newer labels like Marques’ Almeida, Faustine Steinmetz and Ashish, but this season even the powerhouses got involved. Stella McCartney built her entire collection around a series of statement top-stitch separates. Burberry worked it into cropped indigo mini-jackets. Dolce & Gabbanna bejewelled it, and the holy trinity of Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Chanel elevated this humble fabric into ‘investment’ denim.
How to get it right:
Choose one piece with an interesting finish. DIY-it by ripping the collar off an old jacket and rock a frayed edge. Choose deep-cuffed, patch-worked or flared jeans (skinnies are a bit of a snooze). For dresses, seek out seventies-style maxi skirts, with a buttoned up front or a 'd-chain' belted minidresses with wide lapels.
How to get it wrong:
A Candian Tuxedo is taking the trend too far. Thankfully, the Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake epic all-denim fail of 2001 should keep everyone in check.
Zara denim dress, £59.99
Topshop denim culottes, &pou
Look out for:
Unexpected denim incarnations from motorcycle jackets, anoraks and formal coats that can even be worn to summer soirees. It's dressy-casual made easy.
Seen at:
Chloe, Stella McCartney, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors and Fendi
Dust off your lava lamp, puff up your inflatable chair and clear your wardrobe to stock up on sartorial retro-repeats. Whether you’re a floaty, bohemian paisley dress girl, or on the sleek pussy bow blouse and platforms side of the Seventies time warp, this trend is hard to resist. The hallmarks are crochet, flares, fringing, soaring block heels and suede everything.
How to get it right:
Update your pencil skirt plus smart sweater office look with a long Saint Laurent-esque suede jacket, worn over an A-line midi skirt and a silky pussy bow blouse. A neutral wooden-heeled flatform and lightly tanned bare legs will complete the look.
How to get it wrong:
Take caution with fringing. As an accent on a bag or tunic trim can look great, but too many stringy bits worn at once will probably entangle. Don’t be that girl who misses the Glastonbury headliner because she was untying her skirt from her boots.
There’s no need to go all-out authentic regalia here, a la Marc Jacobs who dissected military uniforms and added patch pockets and eyelet detailing to every look. Ralph Lauren also got soldier-happy and worked khaki into no fewer than 32 of his 50 show looks. We love the silky, unlined trench that’s trickled down from this trend. Slouchy, lightweight and belted just so (or not at all), they’re halfway between a trench and a housecoat.
How to get it right: Go-with everything earthy tones are hard to get wrong. Loosen up tough shapes with summery silk and linen separates and keep your eyes out for a great boiler suit.
How to get it wrong: Slashed up t-shirts and savaged biker boots are a thing of the early noughties. Throw them out, turn up your cargo pants neatly and wear with lady-like laced-up flats or boxfresh white trainers.
Margaret Howell khaki jacket, £245
H&M khaki trousers, £24.99
It’s the Roy Lichtenstein-effect, with circle motifs, bright colors and bold, intersecting stripes striking across Junya Watanabe's statement skirts, Loewe's panelled tops and dresses, not to mention Dries Van Noten's inventive layering. Pop art inspired pieces make for joyfully unexpected combinations of prints and textures: at Maison Martin Margiela it was interpreted through graphic foliage and florals, while Prada showed off her love for eastern influences with rich brocades and oriental silk shirts layered under mustard ribbed knitted vests. Now that even Céline have ditched icy minimalism, you know it's time to be bold.
How to get it right:
The French say before you leave the house, take one thing off. To get this right, put one more thing on and make sure it clashes. It’s all about playfulness so just go for it, then go somewhere fun. A graphic sporty sweater with a full brocade skirt and crisp white trainers can look surprisingly cool. The caveat lies in the silhouette: keep the top half long and slim fitting, prompting a kick at the hemline to keep it fresh and modern.
How to get it wrong:
‘Unapologetic print chasing’ is all fun and games if you’re Rihanna or Anna Dello Russo. Less so if you’re meeting the parents for the first time or attending a job interview. Know when this look is appropriate and when it’s likely to raise one too many eyebrows.
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