SCARLET AND FIERY Irish designer Paul Costelloe launched his Spring/Summer 2020 collection at London Fashion Week, which took place earlier this month. Pic: paulcostelloe.com
Fashion
Maggie Gibbons
Spring has sprung, even if it doesn’t much feel like it yet. With all the storms and rain, it might seem premature to be talking about spring/summer colours, but they are already in the shops – so I’m just the messenger!
The fashion world is always looking to the future, and every six months they predict the colours and styles for the coming seasons. The lovely tans and rusts of 2019 proved extremely popular with every fashionista, determined to have a few bits in her wardrobe.
The Pantone Institute Colour of the Year 2020 is ‘Classic Blue’ – a deep-blue shade that could easily be described as ‘safe’. It’s not the easiest colour to wear, but if it suits you it looks amazing. We all have a particular shade of blue that suits us best – if Pantone’s Classic Blue is not yours, just go for a blue hue that flatters you, and you won’t go wrong.
Pantone purposely chose to introduce the blue colour family to a year in which the world seems to be in flux. Blue carries with it an image of dependability and reliability, traits that are to be highly valued in this rapidly changing world.
Looking at spring 2020, what are the trends? Oranges, reds, and, yes, blues featured heavily in the Fashion Week palettes. There was also lots of black, with our own Simone Rocha showing the most wonderful flowing dresses in noir. Neutrals for spring/summer included white, cream and khaki. On the high street, expect to see plenty of flame scarlet, fiery red, saffron, dark yellow, classic blue, biscay green, aqua, chive green and faded denim.
If your wardrobe is looking tired and needs a revamp, then the 2020 spring season is a really good one for a bit of retail therapy. You will find classic tailoring sitting alongside beautiful crochet and print dresses. There’s something for every taste and budget, and better still, it’s all hugely wearable.
Fashion trends
Aside from the colours, what are the other trends that will dominate this season? Here are just a few.
Underwear as outerwear
Bra tops were part of every fashion show, as were full length slips and corset type tops.
’70s suit
Suits have been high fashion for the past few years, and this year won’t change the trend. However, the boxy shapes will be replaced with long, narrower jackets. They will hit the thigh and come single breasted.
Maxi faux-leather coats
I’m not too sure how good it is at keeping you warm, but a faux leather coat is such a stylish piece of gear. This staple piece has been around since the 90s – I love this year’s length though. Long live the maxi.
Huge sleeves
This trend always reminds me of Victorian fashion, oversized sleeves and nipped in waists. It’s pretty and feminine, though maybe not too practical.
Abstract print dress
This particular print is reminiscent of popular wallpapers of the ’70s, which were graphic and brightly coloured, usually bright greens and oranges! Quite similar to the Pucci designs that cost an arm and a leg, even in the fashion outlets.
The trench
Since the ’70s almost every collection has included a trench coat. I remember having a gorgeous Michael Mortell trench that lasted for years before it began to wear out, at which time it was consigned to a local charity shop. Now, quelle surprise, Mortell in Dunnes Stores and his current collection is just as lovely. The trench coat is such a classic piece of fashion that should be a key piece in every wardrobe.
Crochet
It’s so great that the fashion industry is embracing this handmade technique that has been passed down the generations. Every granny once knew how to crochet, and now its seeing a revival. There were the most divine crochet dresses and tops on the catwalks in the most gorgeous shades. Finding something to suit your style in the shops should be easy. If not, time to dig out the crochet hooks!
Maggie Gibbons is an Image/Style Consultant based in Louisburgh. She can be contacted at living@mayonews.ie.