generation why?
THE STREETSTYLE ISSUE SPRING 2019 NO. 356 ANNA SANGWIN PHOTOGRAPHED BY ELLEN CUMMINS
i-D
i-D spring 2019 the streetstyle issue
This issue we’re all about streetstyle trends that are taking over fashion on the streets of the UK. Featuring - trend reporting on one of the hottest trends of the year - Neutrals. An exploration of ‘Uni Culture’ with words from Leeds Students giving you an inside view. The trend of over-sizing is explored in photographs from Ellen Cummins that show how taking men’s styling can enhance feminimity. Lastly, we select nine trends that you will be seeing on the streets this summer.
How neutrals will be catching your eye this summer.
Not so NEUTRAL
NOT SO NEUTRAL TEXT ANNAMARIA CHILVERS PHOTOGRAPHY ELLEN CUMMINS STYLING AND EDITING ANNAMARIA CHILVERS As athleisure and sportswear bow out of the high street, fashion houses put a fresh spin on a classic palette to produce one of the year’s biggest trends. That trend being the neutral colour palette: consisting of monochromatic tones, beiges, greys and nudes. Neutral tones could be seen in a number of spring/summer 19 collections, from Balmain and Tom Ford, to Max Mara. Riccardo Tisci’s debut Burberry advertising campaign championed beige. Speaking on the campaign, Tisci said: “Beige is a colour that belongs to the house – we own it – and I wanted each photographer to have a different way of interpreting it.”
The beauty of working with a neutral colour palette is that there is more room to style different textures and prints together, and you are able to accessorise to your hearts content. The fashion houses that featured beige often used it on tailored garments, this means a beige suit or boiler suit will be this summer’s hottest pick. The neutral palette may sound bland, but summer 2019 looks set to prove otherwise.
A case for ‘uni culture’.
With a 21k debt, extortionate accommodation, and abysmal graduate employment rates it’s a wonder any UK teenagers bother going to university anymore. But in the 2017/2018 academic year 2.3 million students attended university in the UK alone. Something has to be keeping our youth interested in university, something more exciting than the 10% student discount. A big selling point of going to university is that it provides a chance for young people to have their first taste of independence, where they can make their own decisions and lifestyle. And with great power comes great responsibility, thus the birth of ‘uni culture’. The term ‘uni culture’ refers to the routine of students which is often quite different to the normal office job routine. With a limited budget and minimal contact hours students spend their days watching Louis Theroux and eating pesto pasta so that they can afford tickets to some event that they clicked ‘interested’ in on Facebook eight months ago. It’s an acquired lifestyle, that’s hard to explain to outsiders without sounding like David Attenborough narrating the life of a doomed gazelle. Leeds serves as a good example for the effects of ‘uni culture’ with 5 universities and over 60,000 students in the city. We asked seven Leeds students completing a wide variety of undergraduate degrees to give their opinion on ‘uni culture’ and why they decided to go to uni.
Beth (@bethlxve), 20, Fashion Design at Leeds Art University
What made you choose university instead of going straight into work? I felt like I wasn’t ready for a job yet and I didn’t know what I wanted to do in a job so came to uni to find out. What does ‘uni culture’ culture mean to you? Common misconceptions people have of uni students e.g. not doing work abd just partying or doing drugs etc. No professionalism involved.
Sophie (@soph_joyce19), 21, Early Childhood Studies at Leeds Trinity University What made you choose university instead of going straight into work? I needed a degree to become a teacher – it was the only way to get into my chosen career. What does ‘uni culture’ mean to you? The social aspect – going out and drinking, making loads of friends, having a good time, making memories, and constantly being skint!
Connor (@connor1yons), 22, Philosophy, Ethics, and Religion at Leeds Trinity University What made you choose university instead of going straight into work? My brother went to uni so after seeing how fun and helpful for your career prospects it was I wanted the full experience. What does ‘uni culture’ mean to you? Too much drinking, I wish it was more social without the alcohol poisoning!
Alana (@lana_williamson), 23, Fashion Technology at University of Leeds
What made you choose university instead of going straight into work? I came back into education because I needed a degree to advance further in my career. I get bored quite easily so after being in my job for 4 years I thought it would be useful to take a career break! What does ‘uni culture’ mean to you? Uni culture to me means eating out every day at the start of term when your loan drops then eating pasta for 3 weeks straight at the end because you are still unable to budget effectively at the age of 23.
Jack (@1jacktc), 20, Psychology at Leeds Beckett University What made you choose university instead of going straight into work? I feel like more so than going to uni because I wanted to, it was more the fact that the college I went to was so set on its students going to uni. I’ve always known that if you want one of the better, more well paid jobs, you will have to get some form of higher education. But I do feel like the pressure to attend uni was quite. What does ‘uni culture’ mean to you? I do think uni culture depends on which uni you go to - uni culture in Leeds compared to Cambridge or Oxford is vastly different. It also depends on different people’s dispositions and their own work ethics etc., and even the specific uni you go to will have an effect on what you experience. But, in a nutshell, I think uni culture can be whittled down to: developing yourself, learning real responsibilities that you don’t necessarily get taught in school and really just going a bit mad – both positively and negatively.
Rhianna (@rhiannaegan), 21, Physical Education at Leeds Beckett University What made you choose university instead of going straight into work? Wanted to get a degree so I wouldn’t be limited to what jobs I could get. Also, it seemed like a good adventure to make new friends and live life your own way. What does ‘uni culture’ mean to you? Studying, going out, having fun, making friends, part-time jobs, alcohol, breakdowns, partying.
Abi (@abisolk), 21, Film Studies at Leeds Trinity University What made you choose university instead of going straight into work? I chose to go to uni because it seemed like the best option for me; as I was told it would open up opportunities and have better job prospects afterwards. Also I don’t think I was ready to go into the work force. What does ‘uni culture’ mean to you? Uni culture means living in the moment and being young. Also having a community that you can relate to.
Laura (@lauraastubbs), 20, Fashion Photography at Leeds Art University
What made you choose university instead of going straight into work? University only gives you better opportunities to find a job, and focusing directly on a certain subject area will increase my chances of getting my dream job – like I knew I wanted to be a photographer and I just wanted to move straight into that type of job straight after sixth form. What does ‘uni culture’ mean to you? Starting the year off with enough cutlery to open a restaurant and then ending it with three spoons and a knife.
As these answers show, one of the main reasons students go to uni is to buy themselves an extra 3 years or more before they join the work force and go into a regular nine to five. These answers also show something else, that the experiences you have at uni are fun and life changing. The reason uni culture gets a bad name is that it boils down to students having fun whilst at uni, people working would argue that students should be doing their namesake and studying rather than chasing down any pub that has £1.50 pints. But to these people I say when you’re paying 9k a year to have three hours of contact time with your tutor you need to do something to pass the time. So yes, uni culture might just involve drinking too much and partying but you pay for the privilege so why the hell not.
Power D
in 20
Dressing
019.
Photography and Editing by Ellen Cummins. Styling and Make-Up by Annamaria Chilvers. Outfit 01. Bodysuit – Pretty Little Thing, Jeans – ASOS. Outfit 02. Denim jacket – Zara. Outfit 03. Vest – Primark, Trousers – Primark. Outfit 04. Jacket – Tommy Hilfiger. Outfit 05. Jacket – Tommy Hilfiger. Outfit 06. Coat – New Look, Boots – ASOS. Outfit 07. Shirt – ASOS. Outfit 09. Bra – Calvin Klein, Blazer – Topshop, Trousers – ASOS. Modelled by Anna Sangwin.
trends Words by Annamaria Chilvers
of this summer.
seeing more
you’ll definitely be
Nine streetstyle
SUNGLASSES PRIMARK. JEWELLERY MODEL’S OWN. T-SHIRT TOSHOP. BELT PRIMARK. JEANS ASOS.
Who said glasses need to be practical? Mini sunglasses are proof that not all 90s revivals are bad, as they have enjoyed their time in the sun (if you’ll pardon the pun) for a couple of years now. This trend is a favourite of Rihanna and Bella Hadid, and of course the OG mini sunglasses wearer Victoria Beckham. Sunglasses are becoming smaller and smaller, so much so that the huge, ‘tv screen’ glasses of the 2000s would be considered sacrilege in 2019. This trend shows that fashion is cyclical in nature. Dr Vanessa Brown, author of Cool Shades: The History and Meaning of Sunglasses says that “One thing you can guarantee with fashion is that when things have reached an extreme aesthetically, they’ll swing the opposite direction”. For now it looks as though mini sunglasses are here to stay and with summer around the corner we will be seeing a lot more of them.
MINI SUNGLASSES
SUNGLASSES PRIMARK. TOP ZARA. BLAZER PRIMARK. BUM BAG TOPSHOP. CYCLING SHORTS PRETTY LITTLE THING.
BUM BAGS
I say ‘bum bags’ you say ‘fanny pack’ has become the new po-tay-to, po-tah-to. Whatever you may call them they are very prevalent in streetwear. Rising in popularity with the streetwear/athleisure resurgence these accessories are practical and stylish. With celebrities and fashion bloggers alike wearing bum bags with everything from bodycon dresses to tailored suits. And with so many options of styling these bags are basically investment pieces at this point.
BLAZERS/ MEN’S TAILORING
Your dad’s jacket but make it fashion. Whether it’s due to modern days loose and more accepting stance on gender norms, a revival of the 80s power dressing trend or just because wearing an oversized blazer makes you feel like Don Johnson – oversized blazers are back. Although these garments are designed for black tie events, you can style them with almost any athleisure clothing and finally know the meaning of the dress code ‘smart cas’ - congrats.
NEON
You can’t miss it. Literally. Neon is catching our eyes for yet another season. The best way to make a statement with your outfit is to stand out and wear neon. You could wear a neon top if you’re feeling crazy or just spice up your life with a neon accessory. Merge two trends together and wear some neon mini sunglasses or a neon bum bag – fashion? Completed it mate. Incorporation of neon into an outfit will be seen everywhere in streetstyle over the summer, and why not? If the sun is shining why can’t you?
TOP (WORN UNDERNEATH) ZARA. SWEATSHIRT PUMA. BELT PRIMARK. YCLING SHORTS PRETTY LITTLE THING.
Following on from the neon trend, the most fashionable highlighter to emulate this year is the green one, as Lime Green is pegged as the colour of 2019. You’ve heard of millennial pink, you’ve heard of Gen-Z yellow, and apparently millennial purple is a thing? (me neither). Well now get ready to welcome bright green into your wardrobe to stand out whilst wearing the colour everyone else is. Fashion hey.
LIME GREEN SWEATSHIRT PRIMARK. JEWELLERY MODEL’S OWN. TROUSERS TOPSHOP.
I have just one word for you if you are still on the fence about the rise of the cargo pant: pockets. Lots and lots of pockets, all up and down your legs. What more could you want? Going on a night out and don’t want to take a clutch? Put your keys in your pockets there’s loads of room! Nowhere to put your lip gloss? Have you thought about the pocket round your calves? Cargo pants are the most practical of fashion trends and can either be dressed up or down, so they are appropriate for any occasion. And with cuffed bottoms no draught will conquer them. Work men are onto something here. I could write a dissertation on the uses and benefits of cargo trousers so I’ll stop here and say if you hadn’t already guessed I’m a big fan.
CARGO PANTS
SUNGLASSES PRIMARK. JEWELLERY MODEL’S OWN. SWEATSHIRT PRETTY LITTLE THING. TROUSERS PRETTY LITTLE THING.
SUNGLASSES TOPSHOP. JEWELLERY MODEL’S OWN. BRALETTE MARKS AND SPENCERS. TOP BOOHOO. COAT MISSGUIDED. TROUSERS PRIMARK. BELT PRIMARK.
LAYERING
Layers on layers on layers. What can go wrong? Except you being sat dripping in your own sweat as you’ve worn 5 layers of clothing to a beer garden on a day above 19 degrees. Yes this is the risk you take with this trend. But, let’s be realistic – this is England, there will probably only be one weekend over summer that reaches those temperatures so as long you avoid that one, you’re golden.
OVERSIZED COATS AND JACKETS
Again, this trend is probably not the most practical for summer weather. But you could wear an oversized jacket loosely and show off a cheeky bit of shoulder. I know, not for the faint hearted. Another great selling point for this trend is that it provides something to sit on when you want to sit on some damp grass without the fear of looking like you shit yourself. And, if you’re anything like me that fear keeps you up at night.
PLAID/ CHECK
Sticking with the theme of sitting on grass, why carry around a picnic blanket when you can just wear your plaid or gingham this summer! It is a scientifically proven fact (figures not found) that if you wear plaid you are manifesting picnic vibes and the universe will deliver you picnic weather. So live your best Burberry life and unleash plaid.
Model: Rachel Kamen @rachelkamen
Model: Jenna Stamper @ jennstamperr
Photographer: Ellen Cummins @ecfashionphoto