Every few years in fashion, there is a real change in direction, silhouette or mood; one so critical that it totally changes how we dress, beyond simply a trend which might take us to new colours or fresh details.
Those big changes in mood, direction or silhouette are what the fashion industry calls “game changers”. Sadly, the term has been massively over-used by the fashion press and thus devalued.
It is, therefore, even more important to define what the genuine game-changers are as opposed to mere seasonal trends.
Trouser shapes are the S/S16 game-changer. For several seasons trousers have been evolving and are now at a point where they have transformed the fashionable silhouette from skinny bottom half with broader or layered top half, to a looser, wider bottom half paired with… paired with what exactly?
On the catwalks, the top halves tended to be loose and voluminous. But while that is a look which works brilliantly if you are a 5’10inch-tall, size 6 model with non-existent bust, it is not such a great look for non-model shaped women, i.e. most actual women. So, culottes worn with a fabulous white shirt (worn outside or tucked in) or with a shapely T-shirt are both fashion-forward ways to work the culottes trend. Until the weather gets a lot warmer, just add a blazer or a biker or a coatigan… Culottes can also be successfully “dressed up” for party wear or special occasions.The grown up way to do it is to choose culottes with embellishment or in luxe fabric and keep the top half plain. Then add point-toe (see below) or strappy shoes.
And don’t worry if you have only just got your eye in on skinny jeans and layering. That is a look that will go on for many more seasons – for women of all ages. The key to looking current with skinny or wide-leg trousers is the length – flash those ankles; ankle-grazers, cropped, whatever they are called, they should finish just on or just above your ankle-bone. Ankle bones are the new erogenous zone, which is good news as ankles, like shoulders, age well!
The other real game-changer has been in footwear. The 1990s and early noughties were the era of towering stilettos, of what Germaine Greer memorably called “f***-me shoes”. Then a few years ago women (well, sane, non-celebrity women) started to question the sense of wearing ludicrously high, ridiculously uncomfortable shoes and, lo, the ballerina rose to prominence. And in the wake of the ballerina came the platform, the flatform and the slider. And for S/S16 the luxe-trainer and the plimsoll, the latter of which looks exactly like something many of us wore for gym, circa 1965! The new season’s other important shoe is the point-toe flat, which looks perfect with ankle-grazing trousers as well as with midi and maxi skirts and with that other important trouser shape, the jogger, of which more another time.
At SoSensational, we are not dictatorial and Cyndy and Jan enjoy wearing heels too – for this S/S, they will also be point-toe all the way…
What new trends will you be trying?
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4 Comments
At last, a website that is talking to us women who has reached the menopause phase in life. We find that clothes no longer address our time in life. The shops are full of office wear but we need advise on casual or smart casual wear. Who goes to the supermarket in a dress these days let alone a body con dress? Having hot flushes is no fun so we have been looking for clothes in cotton or silk that can help alleviate the symptoms. Cardigans help when we have throw open the front to cool us down. Our body shape has changed and what used to look good in our forties is no longer the case. I have grown so disillusioned with the clothes in the market that I have resorted to unfashionable clothes with no shape. Thank you thank you and keep up the good work.
Patricia
Thank you so much Patricia for your lovely words. Jan and I have been trying to get our voice heard on behalf of all grown up women for a long time now. So today’s piece in The Times is extra special. All grown up women deserve to be able to shop without all the trauma of trawling a high street mainly for the young. So thank you again – we are delighted you found us. Cyndy
– quite wonderful: thank you. Have ‘sent’ my husband off to buy the snakeskin pumps (when he collects my John Lewis order today, bless him) and my son to order the flatties from Ted Baker (as he works there). I’m sat here, out of hospital, after foot surgery….so what’s a girl to do? Saw you in The Times today,
Thank you so much Lesley for taking the time to comment. We are thrilled that you saw us in The Times today; it’s an exciting day for us. Even more thrilled that you like what we’ve shown you and given the buying instructions! We hope you recover quickly from your surgery and enjoy your new footwear. All good wishes Cyndy