Shoes and Shades

Animal and jungle prints are this season’s trend.

Keeping abreast of developments in the fashion world isn’t easy, so here are a few helpful pointers.

NOW that the summer is in full swing, fashions have clearly become more revealing and more daring. Yet the unpredictability (and brevity) of summer – and the fact that ‘trendy’ does not always equal ‘wearable’ for most of us – means staying afloat in the fashion world is not all plain sailing.

The fashion industry is notoriously fickle, but its fast pace does have its advantages. Trends switch from haute couture to high street quicker than you can say, “Kate Moss”. So, if you’re not keen on splashing out on the latest must-have item only for it to go from ‘hot’ to ‘not’ in a micro-second, then the high street is your friend. We’ll make a fashionista out of you yet!

Fashion buyers Suzi Brown-Hovelt and Charlotte Cheyney recommend sunglasses and shoes as safe and easy ways to tap into a trend and make a risk-free statement.

“The key influences this season are “glamazon”, tribal and safari. Animal and jungle prints, beading and tassels are easy to incorporate into your wardrobe,” says Brown-Hovelt. “Bright block colours are huge. The pastel and nude fabrics all over the catwalks are perfectly complimented with edgy accessories and shoes,” adds Cheyney.

Make a bold statement against a sun-kissed complexion with your sunglasses. “Over-sized and vintage shapes, and retro classics like the Ray-Ban Wayfarer and Aviator that never go out of fashion, are updated with bright colours and bold prints,” explains Cheyney. How about a heavy dose of 1980s irony with fuschia pink, lemon yellow and electric blue? Or whimsical, bohemian printed frames? With H&M’s fluorescent frames and Gina Tricot’s printed ‘Maya’ frames for under 20 euros, you can have your cake and eat it too! There’ll be enough change for an ice cream and no more heart attacks induced by losing 150-euro Ray-Ban or Pucci frames!

The same trends are also adorning our feet. “Shoes can really make an impact and make or break an outfit,” advises Cheyney. The clog has already been established as 2010’s most directional shoe. What if you’re of the opinion, however, that only the Dutch can do clogs any real justice? “Platforms, chunky wedges and leg-extending nude shoes are great alternatives,” Cheyney adds.

Ticking the ‘wedge’ and ‘print’ boxes are Christian Louboutin’s animal-print ‘Carino’s’, setting you back 350 euros or, try Helsinki’s weekday store, with their ‘Pump Animal’ for just 50 euros.

Oversized and vintage shaped shades are now in fashion

“Casually, the gladiator sandal still wears the crown. Embellished, beaded, lace up and knee high,” says Cheyney. “Or patterned brogues.” Paul Smith’s ‘Watercolour Floral’ brogues come in at 250 euros, so perhaps Monki’s ‘Ella’ brogues for 20 euros are more alluring?

“Changing your shoes can transform an outfit. Wear a block-colour Maxi dress with gladiator sandals by day, add a waist-cinching belt and a pair of patterned wedges for the night,” suggests Cheyney.

Brown-Hovelt agrees: “There’s no need to buy an entire wardrobe for our most fleeting season! Think bright and playful for your shoes and shades, they’ll continue to shine even after the sun has gone!”

Even if investing in a few key pieces means you can splash out, choosing cheaper alternatives offers a chance to experiment and give the more daring and probably more fleeting trends a go. Remember that the cardinal rule “accessorise, accessorise, accessorise!” reigns supreme and you’ll be a hit this summer!

Lehtikuva
DAISEY CHEYNEY
HELSINKI TIMES

Read more:  Shoes and Shades