Spring/summer wouldn’t be spring/summer if it weren’t for the stripe. In fact, I’m going to go as far as to say the stripe is as much a part of this season as ice creams, al fresco beers and air con.
The stripe conjures up nostalgic images of seaside candy canes, deck chairs and nautical fashions which are, for some reason, inextricably linked with summer. So, it’s no surprise at all to see stripes showing up on the runways. It’s pretty much a given, which is great because who has the budget to replace their whole wardrobe every year?
Due to the undeniable campiness of the stripy trend, designers usually go about showcasing the style as retro cool and a little tongue-in-cheek. This season was no exception. Marc Jacob’s bold graphic stripes with pussy bows and nude lips revived sixties psychedelia and Edie Sedgwick’s rock chick. Moscino, Christian Dior and Acne echoed the monochrome sixties vibe. The in-your-face obviousness of this sixties style was less a nod to the trend than a big wet kiss and a grope.
An Edie Sedgwick sixties revival is good news for anyone who finds it tricky to put together a stylish look. Simply wear some tight black trousers, a black and white stripy t-shirt, earrings so huge they hurt and a butt-load of black eyeliner. Hey, presto: You’re fashionable.
If the sixties don’t appeal, fashion designers picked and chose from pretty much every other decade this season, too. Michael Kor’s demure, nautical-inspired a-line dresses evoked the fifties while Dolce & Gabbana’s candy-colored stripes adorned playful mini-dresses and thigh-high onesies. These were teamed with HUGE earrings, bright sunglasses and headbands. Very seventies and very luxe.
If you’d rather not look like you got dressed in a costume shop, stripes also came in a more sober style this season, too. Paul & Joe experimented with pinstripe shirts, Balenciaga revealed a stunning pinstripe suit made up of high-waisted trousers and a cropped cape while Chloe’s super-casual striped harem pants and cropped jumper would be number one on our list of things to rush out and buy if we could ever afford to buy designer. As we can’t, they’re number one on our list of things to stare at through a window and mourn over.
