5 minute read
Fashion: Spring Clean Your Style
SPRING CLEAN YOUR STYLE
TOP RIGHT: WHITE POINTELLE POLO T-SHIRT, TOPSHOP, £12.00 It’s crazy to say it, but spring is upon us once again, and even summer feels like it’s right at our fingertips already. I don’t know about you, but I for one am ready for a much-needed style spring clean, and one of the best things we can do as a new season rolls in, is to spend some time combing through our wardrobes to ensure we know exactly what we have, and what we may have longforgotten before dipping into our wallets.
BY JULIA COELHO
The overarching theme of 2020, as manifested on a plethora of this year’s runway shows, is a return to wearable and simple clothing. The spring/summer 2020 catwalks were distinctly more commercial than usual, with a clear focus on classic silhouettes and throwback styles, rather than the eccentric and artistically-oriented pieces we’re used to seeing, which inevitably fall into the fad category, destined to be discarded due to sheer impractically or eventual lack of interest. It goes without saying that behind this evident desire for more classic, timeless pieces is the topic that's on the forefront of everyone’s minds these days: sustainability.
BOTTOM RIGHT: VALLE KNITTED SHORT SLEEVE POLO SHIRT WITH PINK STRIPE IN BEIGE, MONKI, £20.00
marine plastic, and the list goes on and on. Ultimately, it’s still important to remember that the fashion industry, which is said to be the most polluting industry on the planet, is a lucrative business, and at the forefront of any brand’s driving force is still the need for consumers to spend their money. But even then, with the birth of a new decade and a heightened
Some of the biggest names in the game took the lead; Gucci announced a goal of net carbon neutrality, Dior surrounded its runway with trees set for replanting in Paris, Louis Vuitton’s seating was sourced from sustainably managed forests, Roland Mouret created clothes hangers made from recycled
awareness of many real environmental concerns, ephemeral trends are becoming increasingly outdated, as most of us gradually become more interested in looking for clothes that will
have a lasting impact within a utilitarian capsule wardrobe.
As you’ll see from this year’s roundup, the featured trends will all have the ability to seamlessly transition into many of our existing wardrobes and stay there for the foreseeable future. It’s also evident that the boundaries between the
TOP LEFT: OPENWORK KNIT TOP, MANGO, £25.99
TOP RIGHT: KNIT WAISTCOAT WITH POCKETS, ZARA, £25.99
seasons themselves are becoming much less clear-cut. After all, the concept of building a capsule closet is that you’re able to wear those same pieces throughout the entire year, with minor tweaks as and when needed. As a result, these days it’s much more common to see jackets and knitwear alongside swimwear and shorts within the same collection.
INSPIRED BY THE 90S
We may have just entered a new decade, but 90s minimalism continues to be a key influence and source of inspiration, as it has been for the past several seasons. Instead of crazy prints and tiny sunglasses, however, 2020 is all about clean lines, stripped-back tailoring and simple staples. From
silks and slip dresses, to fitted polo shirts and knitwear, there’s a real return to minimalist dressing this year, even in colour palette.
SLEEVELESS KNITS
Something particularly notable about the spring/summer 2020 collections was just how much knitwear featured throughout, once again highlighting the concept of blurred seasonal lines. Above all, it seems that the sleeveless ribbed knit is going to
LEFT: PLEATED BERMUDA SHORTS, MANGO, £49.99
BELOW: LEATHER HIGH-HEEL SANDALS WITH SQUARE TOES, ZARA, £59.99
BOTTOM: NINA GREEN MINI HEEL MULES, TOPSHOP, £36.00
be a key basic this year, and I have to say I’m absolutely loving it.
BERMUDA SHORTS
This is definitely not the first trend I'd usually jump at the chance to try, but I have a feeling that they’re going to become increasingly convincing as summer draws closer. Worn with blazers, bodies and tank tops, there are infinite ways to make them feel seasonally appropriate whether you’re sporting them in April or August.
THONG SANDALS
One of the leading shoe trends of the year is thong sandals, which of course come under the umbrella of 90s minimalism. A big appetite has already been building for some time now, with a great number of luxury retailers having long-pegged these sandals as the biggest sellers of 2020. Don’t worry though; there are plenty of affordable options on the high street, or maybe even in the depths of your mum’s wardrobe.
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE APRIL 2020 LEFT: POLKA DOT PRINT DRESS, ZARA, £29.99
TOP RIGHT: BLACK AND WHITE SPOT POPLIN CORSET, TOPSHOP, £29.00
BOTTOM LEFT: EMMA CIRCULAR RATTAN CROSS BODY BAG, ASOS DESIGN, £30.00
BOTTOM RIGT: BASKET BAG WITH RHINESTONE DETAILS, ZARA, £39.99
POLKA DOTS
A true classic; polka dots may come and go in terms of their trendiness, but they will never fail to remain firmly settled in our sartorial consciences as a tried and true wardrobe staple! Besides, they have an unparalleled ability to inject an effortless level of polish to any outfit.
NATURAL FIBRE BAGS
roundup, especially considering their meteoric rise last year. Not only do they look awesomely chic, but the best part is that linen and raffia fabrics are better for the environment, so it’s a win-win.
CHAIN NECKLACES
Chain necklaces have been a micro-trend for several seasons, but they’re set to become even more popular this year. Propelled forward by the likes of Billie Eilish and Miley Cyrus, chain necklaces have a way of keeping an outfit refined and sleek, while giving it an extra edge.
TOP LEFT: PADLOCK CHAIN NECKLACE, MANGO, £17.99
TOP RIGHT: JUTE CROSS BODY BAG, MANGO, £29.99
BOTTOM RIGHT: SILVER DOUBLE CHUNKY CHAIN NECKLACE, GLAMOROUS, £8.00
