Friday Lookbook: The Pastel Edit
Welcome to week 4 of Faded Springs popular series 'Friday Lookbook'. Last week we explored how primary colours can inject fun into your outfit even in winter and how colourblocking primary colours can instantly lift your mood. Colourblocking primary colours was a new concept to me as my colourblocking knowledge was delegated specifically to 70's hues like khaki & burgundy making last weeks challenge a real test of my ability to step out of my comfort zone. It felt suprisingly liberating to step out of my comfort zone but this week I am back on safer ground with 'The Pastel Edit'. Inspired by the soothing tranquility of nature each look is steeped in new age romanticism. Floaty tulle skirts, plush faux fur and other tantalising concoctions glide gently across the park, a visual feast for the senses.
Monday
Inspired by Pantones colours of 2016 'Serenity' and 'Rose Quartz' the fusion of pale pink and duck egg blue pre-empts the awakening of spring, where the buds open deliciously tasting the first scent of a newly rejuvanated daffodill after hibernating in winter. Rejecting the stresses of modern life the delicacy of both hues purifies the mind and soul and psychologically fufills humanities need for security and reassurance. The warm rose gold tone of quartz is offset by the cooler duck egg blue creating a spiritual balance that would even make Libra the god of scales proud. Clashing textures is a key component of this flirtatious yet demure look with the weather appropriate mohair jumper layered over a pvc pleather midi skirt creating a contrast between leather and mohair. The statement necklace adds a third dimension to the look, creating a 50's luxe vibe while the duck egg blue lace up sandals are a flirty but fun statement.
Traditionally midi skirts were a 40's and 50's wardrobe staple whose elegant mid length made it ideal for both formal and informal occasions and was an act of defiance against men's limitations and restrictions on women's fashion. By the 1960's the midi skirt was overturned by the feminist movement of the mini skirt whose short length was a liberation of sexual female identity. The midi skirt attempted to make a comeback in the 1970's but it spectacularly flopped and it wasn't until 2011 that the midi skirt was revolutionized and became popular in modern culture. Today the midi skirt remains ever popular and its transitional wearability in all seasons makes it a wardrobe staple that will cement your status as a bona fide fashionista.
Outfit: Necklace & Heels- Zara, Bag-Missguided, Skirt-Topshop
Tuesday
Casual luxe is the order of the day with plush shaggy nude faux fur mixed with peach and baby pink accents. The faux fur jacket compliments the peach ribbed turtleneck while the delicate perspex floral necklace takes the dungarees from normcore to luxe apparel wear. The pointed patent flats is both practical and stylish lending an adrogynous yet feminine edge to the casual luxe look, proving that androgyny can be feminine too.
The faux fur jacket has roots in 1950's culture where the proliferation of real fur led to fashion-conscious individuals seeking an ethical alternative and thus the production of faux fur boomed. Made from pile fabric the earliest versions of faux fur was basic and traditionally used neutral hues such as camel, beige and chocolate brown. But by 2014 a divergence from neutral hues and textures saw a colour revolution with bright colours reigning supreme. By 2016 faux fur has taken on a richer, more subtle quality and is used as a signifier of ethical luxury rather than a statement against neutral colours.
Outfit: Coat- Missy Empire, Turtleneck- Topshop, Dungarees- Topshop, Necklace- Next
Wednesday
One of spring 2016's biggest trends is to keep your outfit range of colors in the same palate but still make an impact. Fusing the shaggy faux fur nude with embroidered rose gold, the co-ord's glitzy fabric is toned down and made more opulent by the neutral faux fur. The simple rose gold accessories are refined and an eloquent expression of unbridled Rose Quartz delicacy. The key to wearing pastels is less is more, keep your look fuss free and focus on effortlessly blending pastel shades together.
The braided ballerina bun accentuates the length of neck and the co-ords high neckline creating light and shade, while the curly wisps of hair threatening to escape add a sense of realism to the shot. Ballerina buns were popular in the 1800's with theatre goers flocking to see ballet although its roots are in Ancient Grecian and Chinese popular culture where the bun signified their martial status- a bun showed that they were married whilst plaits denoted their single status.
Outfit: Coat- Missy Empire, Co-Ord- Miss Selfridge, Ring & Bracelet - Katiyu, Watch- Elie Beaumont
Thursday
Drawing inspiration from the 50's prom silhouette, the rose quartz tulle prom dress with a black sweetheart bodice is old school glamour; simple and refined the tulle's mid length creates a pardox between its demure bottom half and its salacious cleavage boosting neckline that is designed to accentuate your curves. In the 1950's the economic boom increased sales of prom dresses and it became a significant part of British and American culture to celebrate the 'promenade' as it was known then.
Although the 50's is synonmous with the image of the prom dress it was thought to have been celebrated as early as the 19th century when universities held coed banquets at graduations and for the first time men and women openly mixed without public disapproval. But it was not until the early 40's that prom ceremonies were recorded as being a regular normalized procedure after graduating from school, college and university and by the 90's proms were being held without a cause for celebration. Today prom dresses remain a 'prom' or 'ball staple' and its classic elegant midi shape creates a sublime paradox between sensuality and innocence.
Outfit: Prom Dress- Rare London, Shoes- Zara, Bag- Primark
Friday
Colourblocking pastels has always been a signature look for me and this dreamy concoction below is Ana circa 2014 where blues and pinks met in perfect harmony, a signature aesthetic of the S/S 16 Catwalk. To update the spring look for winter add a wool blend duster coat in baby blue to accencuate the duck egg, teal and baby pink accents and keep you warm at the same time. The versatility of a duster coat makes it the perfect cover up for any outfit and is best worn colour blocked. Try matching your top to the duster coat but slightly variate its hue so that the colourblocked effect is subtle keeping to 'less is more' rather than adding overpowering shades to the mix.
Outfit: All the same as Monday's look except Coat- Missguided.
What was your favourite look?
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