Sports Luxe: Love It Or Loathe It

Sportswear has always been a rather dominant movement within the fashion industry, especially during the 80s and 90s . However, now it's back and all over the forefront of the Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter 2016 runways. From Balenciaga's business-like cagoule paired with sartorial suit trousers and Versace's Après-ski look consisting of ski pants and clumpy clodhopper boots draped in chains, to Louis Vuitton's luxury body-skimming onesie. I think one can certainly say that the athletic look was out in full form.

Balenciaga's trans-seasonal cagoule

Donatella Versace's Après-ski looks

If I say tracksuit, what do we all think of? Yes, that's right, an iridescent two-piece mess worn by a mass of typically British teenagers brandished as "chavs". However, do we continue to think like that? On the most part, yes. Although, there is now a quite sizeable majority who are embracing leisure-wear not just for practicality and accessibility purposes but also because of the fact that influential fashion powerhouses like Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Chanel have all started embracing said trend, giving the nod to anyone daring enough to wear jade green sweats with floral adornments out in public.

The Gucci tracksuit

Susie Lau of StyleBubble

If we think back to 10 years ago, no one would have dared to step out of the door wearing Reeboks, cuffed trackies, an oversized hoodie and a seemingly solemn looking cap - unless you were a member of a suburban cult group that worshipped Vicky Pollard. However, nowadays this has become the norm. We would now actively encourage people to wear hoop earrings, sweatshirts and Adidas trainers as a means of softening our style sensibilities and making everyone look 'edgy' and 'cool'.

Jourdan Dunn in an Adidas mesh overlay

On the other hand, I still believe that there is a fine line between what the general consensus of our nation considers as formal and informal. I simply refuse to believe that such a thing called the 'formal' jogger exists. Nothing about a pair of sweatpants equates to classy, no matter the fabric choice, brand or whether it's styled correctly. It still remains an item of the greatest informality.
At this point in time I am yet to gravitate into the vicinity of sport luxe, with the one exception of my trusty white Stan Smith's (a wardrobe staple in my view). I am certain that over time with the right amount of creative development and confidence we will all be able to happily pull off a turquoise two-piece and wedged trainers with considerable ease.

Please Note: I do not own any of these images, courtesy of Vogue.co.uk & Getty

Spring/Summer 2016 Trends

Forgive me, for I know we are still embracing the last of those wintry months, however it has come to my attention that we must begin to address the fast approaching Spring/Summer season.

Although this post very much focuses on the trends for next season, trends on some level are dying out. There is such a huge desire within the fashion industry to be original and individual that people withdraw themselves from any of the trends and choose clothing which is either: really comfortable and cheap or unique (investment buys), for example, the 'urbanista', as we now call it. This is a person who believes only in a non-mainstream and alternative way of dressing, someone who can adapt their style to their surroundings, as it were. 

Don't get me wrong, the trend is still very much prominent, yet I think we must choose to focus more on purchasing those timeless pieces which will last in our wardrobe eternally. So, without further a do, I present to you, my dear readership, some of the key trends for Spring/Summer 2016:

• Soft, subdued shades of buttermilk, shortbread, biscuity browns and chalky pinstripes plastered onto layers of new proportioned linen speak Spring/Summer simplicity. Take Balmain's voluminous toffee suedes or chocolate browns transposed onto tiered ruffles and jewelled lattice work, definitely amplifying the connotation of glamour.

Balmain

• Sleep no more? Silk, satin and lace- along with lots of skin- were all over the Spring/Summer 2016 runways as lingerie-inspired slip-dresses, laced-up negligees and sheer nightshirts went from in the bedroom to sartorially sharp.

We saw brands such as Celine, Givenchy and Dior all embrace the day-into-night inspired looks with open arms. One must-have is the camisole top from La Perla, retailing at £300. Envision that paired with a YSL Le Smoking jacket, low slung tapered trousers and a pair of Louboutins. Undoubtedly pure Parisian perfection.

YSL Le Smoking Tuxedo

• There seems to be a rather strong movement of New Romanticism for Spring/Summer. The Victoriana trend has been dousing the catwalks throughout the last few seasons. However, now, designers are filling the catwalks with an ultramodern take on traditional femininity- hence the powder pink hues, flouncy frills, fanciful florals and pie-crust necklines. Seen at McQueen, Fendi, Vetements and JW Anderson.

McQueen

Fendi

J.W Anderson

• As I mentioned previously, there has been an introduction to new proportions. Take Phoebe Philo for Céline's masculine vs feminine idea. Moving away from minimalist shapes and diluted colours, into more accentuated silhouettes and voluminous dimensions- crepe trousers, puffed up shoulders and cinched in waists. Unquestionably a clever way to add a bit more fun and freedom to your wardrobe necessities.

Celine

• It's just one of those well known facts that everyone adores a white button-up. It's the go-to piece which can, without a doubt, tszuj up your wardrobe with a single blast of formality. This season, designers haven't just taken the basic white shirt but given it a complete re-model. We have now seen a complete deconstruction take place of one of the classic staples. We now have tops, skirts and bustiers all fashioned out of the garment - albeit keeping to modern standards of vast layering and futuristic lines and cuts. Seen at Margaret Howell, Delpozo and Jacquemus.

Delpozo

Jacquemus

• Forget your flats, it's all about the flatform now! Yes that's correct, it's time to say au revoir to ballet pumps and Yeezy Boosts (if you do so dare to own some) and welcome in a new addition- the hybrid flatform Greek sandal. Seen at Chanel, Burberry and Giambattista Valli.

Chanel

I hope this provides you, my darlings, with some help for next season's shopping sensibilities. Now I shall depart and wish you all a happy New Year!

Please Note: I do not own any of these images, courtesy of Vogue.com, Vogue.co.uk and YSL.com

 

Trending Fall 2015- Brisk Boho

70s Bohemia was the defining aesthetic brought to us by designers this new Fall season. We saw Christopher Bailey at Burberry produce a British Boho Burberry girl, comprising of patchwork, fringing, whimsical folk dresses coated in embellished florals and paisleys.

 

 

 

Lanvin's Alber Elbaz combined his Moroccan roots with the Lanvin archive, creating a raw sophistication. It was dark, texturally complex (fur, goat hair, snakeskin yokes, leather harnesses, embellishments), but at the same time screamed luxury.

 

 

                                        

 

Others labels such as: Etro, Dsquared and Dries Van Noten all formed an embodiment of  boho beauties or Aztec princesses. Laid down in front of us:- printed ponchos, gauzy gowns and earth-inspired hues, all spiced up with a generous handful of eclectic ethnicity.   

 

 

                                      Etro

 

Another trend, relating closely to the boho chic was a gypsy, medieval revival. Think Esmerelda from The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. Gypsy dresses covered in quaint waistcoats, suede tunics draped in strips of fringe and,lastly, flowing patchwork skirts in all manners of textures (seen at Chloé). With gypsy boho, one can have the freedom to experiment- there is no conformity in this trend, it's all about that element of  uniqueness.

 

 

                                      Chloe

                          Picture Courtesy of Style.com