fashion for faith in four colors: retro

Monday, September 3, 2012

The New Trouser Suit

fashion style 1:14 PM

September is always an exciting month - the new season collections hit the stores and the new trends filter down on to the high street. The September and October issues are packed full of the new campaigns and it always feels so refreshing to see something new again. (Admittedly, perhaps always a little too soon). When the collections are first shown, I love to place bets with myself as to what the new trends (both big hitters and micro trends) will be. For autumn/winter 2012, the trouser suit has stepped into the limelight, pushing the dress into the wings.

As a lover of fashion, I am always keen to try a new trend on for size, mostly by incorporating it into my own wardrobe and style. However, the new season trouser suit has a twist - it comes in bold, geometric prints - so it is difficult to work into your existing wardrobe, as it is a statement all of its own. The new season suit cut is modern and minimalistic, while the prints are retro, retro, retro. Not for the faint-hearted, but also a trend to be careful considered - you don't want to end up looking like Granny's old carpet as you sashay up the high street this autumn.

If you need inspiration, look to the runway shows; Miuccia Prada featured geometric printed trouser suits in both her Prada and Miu Miu collections for AW12, while other versions of the printed trousers suit were seen at Etro, Paul & Joe, Rochas, Giambattista Valli and DKNY, to name just a few.

Miu Miu AW12

Prada AW12

Giambattista Valli AW12

DKNY AW12

Erdem AW12

Rochas AW12

Mary Katrantzou AW12

Prabal Gurung AW12

I did try on a printed trouser suit in Matalan (albeit, a floral suit, not geometric), however, I left it behind. I think I'll stick to my staple dresses this season, despite knowing I'm committing a sartorial sin.

Will you try the new trouser suit for the new season?

Runway images courtesy of Style.com, with thanks.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Comic Con Outfits ~ Day Four Red Gingham

fashion style 10:55 AM

Gingham always seems to have a bit of a retro feel to me, no matter what you do with it. It says homey country kitchen, apple pie, picnics.

Oh what a beautiful morning,
Oh what a beautiful day,
I've got a wonderful feeling,
Gingham is coming my way.

A hem, sorry, getting a little carried away there. Where was I? Oh yes, gingham. A member of the check family, I believe. Most often seen in black and white, red and white, or blue and white.

It took me a long time to come around to gingham. Like pink it felt to girly and sweet to me. It just seems very very difficult to make gingham edgy.

But I cam around to gingham when I spotted this adorable tennis dress in a local vintage shop. It was muslin and looked very cool and light, and something that woudl pair with flats. All top concerns for my wardrobe and upcoming Comic Con.

It was labeled 1970s but I think it might be more late 1960s. Here's a range of vintage red and white gingham from 1940 ~ 1970.

1940s; 1950s Red & White Gingham Summer Dress

1960's mod red & white gingham dress; 1970s gingham summer dress mod drop waist box pleats

Mine would seem to slide in at late 1960s but I suppose it could be 1970s.

It's actually meant to be tighter and shorter on someone a bit larger than me, but I liked it so much as a more 1920's loose feel (and this way it fit the Rack). I walked away from it the first time and then went back after contemplating it for a couple weeks, luckily it was still waiting for me.

I wore it with cream accessories and cream flats. I made a silly little hat out of a knitted pettit four that a reader gave to me in Portland. (More on that in a separate DIY blog to come.)