Highstreet Focus SS11 | Topshop
The Topshop Spring/Summer collections interpret all the major catwalk trends in Topshop’s usual inimitable style. Whether it’s seventies glam, prints or brights, they’ve covered all the bases. Here’s a taster of what you’ll be lusting over in the next few months…
SNAKE VALLEY
A new breed of festival girl has arrived, inspired by the 70s ‘Gypsy Rocker’ character embodied by Jimi Hendrix and Lenny Kravitz. Tough elements like snake prints, python leather, and battered biker boots are mixed with Navaho flourishes, including fringing, feathers and tapestry detailing. The silhouette is undeniably sexy, but is softened with a kaftan, or a kimono thrown on top to ward off the chill when evening sets in. Sleeves are billowing and fluted, balancing the shape of a high-waisted skinny leather trouser or hotpant. A blanket poncho features Aztec intarsia knits, whilst an ecru crochet kimono is decorated with heavy beading and biker jackets are dramatic with whip-stitching, fringing or tie-dyed leather. Prints include paisleys, animal tie dye and feather prints, whilst accessories have a ‘dress-up’ feel with feather headdresses, laser-cut frontier hats, brightly coloured fringed cross-body bags, and sturdy tapestry-detail desert boots.
SWEDISH SUMMER
Swedish Summer draws its inspiration from a glamorous 1970s era, where vintage-inspired pieces have a luxe feel and a dramatic, sweeping silhouette. There is an eclectic folk-inspired feel that sees soft Art Nouveau, William Morris floral prints mixed with magpie elements like glitter and foil and the mixing of precious fabrics like patchwork. Homespun cotton crochets and laces are key to this trend, and appear on cream and ecru tunic dresses, whilst soft, transparent fabrics such as crepe de chine and georgette are used in long printed tiered folk dresses and maxi skirts. Florals run through-out and matching prints are important: a rain mac comes in a vintage poppy print with sheer panels, a boxy shirt with a longer back comes in a shadow flower print, and a high-waisted soft pyjama pant suit comes in a muted paisley print. Fluoro ditsy prints flourish over wide-leg palazzo trousers and mid-calf length skirts, whilst a printed tunic top with full sl eeves comes with matching trousers. ‘70s blue denim appears in softer, washed colours and is seen on high-waisted shorts, flared jeans and A-line skirts. Accessories include floppy hats, clumpy clog shoes, floral hair garlands and macramé bags in natural colours.
NEW AGE CONSTELLATION
New Age Constellation is a new, modern take on classic tailoring, incorporating urban sportswear elements in luxe new age fabrics and taking inspiration from the pared down look of the mid-‘90s. Fluid flared trousers are teamed with matching T-shirts for a fresh take on the all-in-one, but can also be mix-and-matched, whilst modern ‘combination’ shift dresses of sheer and solid fabrics are twisted and shifted with asymmetric hemlines. Nylon, high-tech parkas are realised in hi-performance fabrics. Relaxed draping is key and can be found on drape-front jackets and vests, whilst simple pieces are given a twist, including sheer panels and frills. The overall feel is futuristic and simplistic, with a white, ecru and icy grey colour palette, epitomized by the white slash-neck T-shirt worn with white boy-cut trousers and the oversize white shirt dress. Prints also have a futuristic feel and include crystal motifs and designs inspired by kaleidoscopes and re fracted gem stones.
GRADUATION
Again taking the 1970s as its key inspiration, Graduation features bold mix and match separates in cute conversational prints and stripes, like something from the pages of a Jackie annual. Clashing prints and pops of colour cover ‘70s shrunken skinny rib tops, polo shirts, playsuits and cropped flared trousers. Skirts finish mid-calf and come in retro prints and bold nautical stripes, to be styled with a bright belt, ankle socks and a portfolio bag in soft leather. Shapes are crisp, clean and simple, with interest coming from contrasting colour and print. Denim is also key and comes in knee-length culottes and chambray playsuits. The overall vibe of the trend is young, irreverent, quirky and at times geeky, whilst 70s colours are mixed with timeless classics including navy, camel, toffee, butterscotch, chocolate, tangerine, sharp yellow and sugar pink.
Michelle for stylesiren.ie
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