THE STYLE ISSUE
LIGHT FANTASTIC
Fresh and cool colours are forecast for the season ahead, with outbreaks of tropical prints, reports Claire Sawers
B lame the long, grey winter. Blame the soaring unemployment levels. Blame it on the margaritas and piña coladas that fashion designers had apparently been knocking back before sketching out this season’s collections. But as spring approaches, gingerly, it brings with it a giddy, feminine, light-hearted sense of . . . fun. A word not often associated with the po-faced worlds of ‘LFW’ and ‘NYFW’ or the unveiling of the new S/S collections, but still, there it is. Girly shades lemon and of powder blue swirl into view, like some blurred out still from The Virgin Suicides (pictured, right) and clashing blocks of bold cyan and magenta vie for attention, like a particularly extrovert Mexican rug.
lavender,
The Aztec patterns and geometric angles of last year are still around too, but they’re topped up with botanical prints, tropical fl orals, and in some cases, the odd fl amingo or cactus motif. For those who had their fi ll of ‘Rave Nation’ brights during the 90s, and are ready for something more toned down, the inky hues and pale washes of this season’s pastel takeover might be a little more soothing to the eye. It’s not just the colour palette that’s calmed down either – the fabrics (organza, lace, oversized broderie anglaise and silk seem to be everywhere right now) keep it fl oaty and featherlight, with a nod to the carefree summers spent sipping iced teas on Jay Gatsby’s garden lawn. Dropped waists and fl apper tassle details are showing 22 THE LIST 1–29 Mar 2012 22 THE LIST 1–29 Mar 2012
up just in time for this year’s cinema version of The Great Gatsby, starring Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan. (See Mia Farrow and Robert Redford, below, in the 1974 fi lm version.) American Apparel, Odyssey Boutique and Indie Chic have all gone big on lace – bodysuits, loose vests or clinging dresses in smooth shades of peach and cream, while second-hand boutiques like Herman Brown, Watermelon and Circa Vintage have brought their sherbetty-coloured items to the fore. Like a bowl of Neopolitan ice cream, the fresh colours and easy-breezy styles seem to be
ready and waiting for summer.
While the Scottish weather takes its time catching up, there’s a moment to trawl the net for supplies. As much as we love the independent shops on Scotland’s doorstep – Goodstead’s considered pick of Scandinavian casualwear; Welcome Home’s sophisticated round-up of accessories by local creatives; Those Were The Days’ collection of statement Bakelite jewellery from the 80s – sometimes shopper’s wanderlust takes over, and we need to look elsewhere for fashion inspiration. As our chats with local designers and stock-buyers prove, most people top their wardrobes up with a mix of High St fi nds, internet treasure and thrift store gold (sometimes brought back from trips abroad). Blending eBay bargains with US mail-order deliveries or one-offs from an etsy boutique helps the pay cheque go further, and keeps things interesting. Just like buying sweets, it’s often clever, and better fun, to pick and mix.
See directory, page 28, for shop details.