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| Catwalk shots from elleuk.com |
Here at Minimum Mouse we're not the biggest followers of the catwalk trends, we're more about people who create their own look, treating the decades like their own personal dressing up box. But that doesn't mean that it isn't interesting, and indeed fun, to look to what the designers are doing as the stuff is very pretty to look at. And ridiculous. And downright bonkers. And way, way out of our budget.
So often we look at images from catwalk shows and think to ourselves how we have seen such similar things in our own stock or at vintage fairs: fashion constantly references what has come before, which is why looking to vintage is often a fantastic, and more affordable, way of recreating those beautiful catwalk looks. So I like to head over to
Elleuk.com from time to time and see what the fash pack are getting their knickers in a twist over.
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| Tartan and sheer slips at Saint Laurent, classic punk styling at Versace. Images from elleuk.com |
Elle's top ten trends for A/W '13 include The Rebel, which is basically a punky, grungy look heavy on the zips, studs and leather. Seen at Versace and YSL. We like the mesh dresses, oversized knits and tartan prints which seem fresher than the studded leather looks we've seen a million times before. We're not tired of the early nineties revival just yet!
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| Nun chic at Valentino, face mesh and Elizabethan vibes at Alexander McQueen. Images from elleuk.com |
Falling neatly into the 'bonkers' category is The Church, a trend seen at Valentino, Alexander McQueen and D and G, this ecclesiastical themed trend might look great on the catwalk but waiting for the bus in a wimple is always going to be a fashion don't.
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| Overcoat and beret at Margaret Howell, velvet and tailoring at Emporio Armani, and borrowing your boyfriend's suit at Richard Nicholl. Images from elleuk.com |
Boy Meets Girl, a trend which sees a natty blend of masculine tailoring and feminine touches is much more wearable and so easy to draw on vintage pieces to create. A man's suit can look amazing, especially if you get some alterations done to get the perfect fit, and men's overcoats are so easy to pick up at a great price if you go for vintage.
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| Chic skirt suits at Prada, nostagic outerwear at Christian Dior, metallic detailing at Louis Vuitton. Images from elleuk.com |
The prim, ladylike look seen at Christian Dior is an absolute gift for a vintage fan - it
is vintage, just rebooted for another season. Tweed pencil skirts, pretty blouses, ladylike coats and such are vintage staples.
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| Ultimate eighties power dressing at Balmain, boxy monochrome at Roland Mouret, a punky twist at Haider Ackermann. Images from elleuk.com |
Similarly, Elle's trend The Warrior is basically eighties power dressing. Think broad shoulders, spike heels, tailoring.
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| Asymmetrical embelishment at Emanuel Ungaro, textures and pattern mash up at Tom Ford and regal opulence at Dolce and Gabanna, Images from elleuk.com |
Excess All Areas, the opposite of minimalism seen at Tom Ford is basically an invitation to throw on a random selection of the contents of your wardrobe. Our kind of trend!
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| Opulent berry toned velvet at Marios Schwab, volume and velvet at Christopher Kane |
Finally, the Dark Arts = goth. We all know what that means, but whether or not you are of a gothic persuasion, sumptuous velvet is pretty irresistible at this time of year.
Pretty much every trend (excepting maybe 'The Church'!) can be created by visiting any vintage fair in the land, where you will probably be able to kit yourself out in a whole new look for well under £100. Which is why vintage rules.
