So I got a text few days ago that went a little something like this:
“Hey Mava, a friend of mine just told me that she doesn’t think your fashion column is about fashion at all.”
We all know what’s going on here. The semi-anonymous opinion, as I like to call it. The typical “umm I know this guy who has a rash…” kind of thing. Hey it’s cool, my friend apparently has problems with my fashion-less fashion column but is too polite to say. So in response to everyone that actually wants some fashion content, this one is for you. Haters.
Winter is definitely my favourite season. The icy wind, dark mornings, and horizontal rain aside, winter allows for decadent layering. You’ve got your chunky knits, wee woollen hats, scarves, and those fabulous thick hiking socks to pile on. The trick is to invest in useful basics and splash out on a few special pieces that will take you through the season.
Girls:
Black will always be a safe winter colour and this season, rich plum, deep blues, and splashes of soft pinks and white are making an appearance. These shades are a great way of breaking up the darker tones.
As per Anna Sui, and Frida Giannini’s recent collection for Gucci, a strong bohemian trend is taking centre stage. This look consists of heavy textured fabrics and dynamic patterns, loose fits with layering of lengths and portions. Throw on lots of chunky jewellery to compliment the look. Denims are staying dark but fits are loosening up a little.
Jeans are a fantastic and easy way of staying warm this winter. Interestingly, I have noticed girls are wearing those leggings which look like denim but aren’t. Just a word of caution; leggings are not pants—especially not those black shiny numbers adorning the legs of many a girl around town.
They are designed to be worn underneath other garments. The percentage of girls looking good wearing skin tight leggings as pants is notably low—there are a few, but it’s not worth the risk in my opinion.
However, what is looking fabulous on girls’ legs this season is ripped tights. Laddered and slashed hosiery is prevalent on the catwalk, and the look was recently featured in a Vogue Nippon shoot earlier this year. It’s easy to do, relatively cheap, and as long as you don’t go overboard, it’s a great alternative to standard legwear.
Boys:
Winter is cold—a seemingly well-known fact—but as I sat in Cuba St last week, gathering some inspiration for my article, I decided that people need reminding of this… especially boys. Jandal season is over, son. Put them away. That’ll be all.
In terms of winter shades, blues and gold are showing up all over the show. These colours look great in between dark greys, off whites, and deep khaki greens.
Necklines are lowering—we are seeing plunging v-necks this winter in soft merino knits and woollen jumpers. I don’t recommend going bare-chested though; once again, layering is the trick. I am personally a fan of simple, clean cuts look on boys. This means well-fitting pants (staying relatively dark in shade this winter), jumpers and t-shirts (so none of this crazy, deconstructed, fabric-coming-out-of-everywhere business), and a splash of colour to lighten up all this black we are seeing on guys lately. It’s a personal taste but I stand by it.
A great example of this clean-cut look is Duncan McNaughton, who you may have seen around campus. He makes all the girlies swoon. But not the girls wearing tights as pants. They don’t deserve to swoon.