MAY In Bloom: The so called 'ditsy floral' print which was seen at Luella and has been imitated on a mass scale throughout the high streetis unescapable this month. Ruffles and feminine shapes enhance the prettiness of the trend which has a very English sensibility about it.

 

MAY xoxo: The success of tv import Gossip Girl has timed in nicely with the wave of preppy fashion that is sparking youth market trends.

Tying in perfectly which the school blazer revival, hair bows and knee high/ ankle socks, white tights are perhaps not for everyone but are a cartoonish and fun fad.

Spotted in plain white form and also detailed with various prints, the prim trend is something of a backlash against badly fake tanned legs which usually dominate the Spring Summer months…xoxo

 

APRIL Headscarves: The headscarf has been a prominent street trend for the past couple of years, with Amy Winehouse being its most famous advocate.

This Spring Summer the headscarf has hit the mainstream youth market, and is being worn in a number of ways. The bandana style with a centrally placed knot is a relaxed boho version of the popular full bow 50s housewife style. Early Madonna/ Bananarama fabric headties were seen on the catwalk at the British subculture influenced Topshop Unique S/S 09 show and are perhaps the most fashion forward way of wearing the accessory.

Versatile and quirky, it instantly creates a fashion aware yet fun look. A great example of the street leading the catwalk.

 

MARCH Grafik Statement: The appeal of the cool graphic tee has forever been a streetwear staple. However since the Obey Obama cult design, the graphic has seen something of a mainstream revival.

On an independent level, Manchester based Broke n English’s ‘Netto Fabulous’ tee has been street snapped throughout the Northern Quarter as have HussainDeyn's cult prints.

FEBRUARY Acid Splash - From calmer corals through to tangerine, bright berry and neon pink, Acid Splash is slowly creeping into our wardrobes and taking us forward into Spring Summer.

The eye watering colour pallet can be seen across the board from accessories through to jersey, knitwear and even on jeans in the form of retro rinses.

Although heavily influenced by 80s revival, it is more sophisticated than previous diplays of neon brights such as the Crayola childsplay of ‘New Rave’ and more refined in the careful colour blocking of both clashing and harmonious shades.

 

FEBRUARY Thrift Knits - Second hand over sized knitwear in all manner of prints and patterns are a prominent unisex trend. With the addition of Blue Rinse to the Manchester vintage scene, the obscure choice of chintzty patterns has been taken to new heights and embraced by Oldham Street dwelling thrifters.

Influenced by the Nordic jumper fad which flew in before Christmas, bad knitwear is a brave fashion statement which may melt out in as we enter Spring Summer.

FEBRUARY The Secretary - Nipped in waists, Chanel style wool blazers, buttoned up shirts and tight pencil skirts define this adaptable trend which ranges from prim through to a tougher street look.

A popular choice for both day and evening styling, the trend has hints of cheeky nostalgia in its hour glass silhouette but is again made modern by layering in t-shirts and leather jackets.

 

DECEMBER Wild Frontier: Inspiration for this trend is drawn from the American Midwest. Plaid, hunting gear, fur hats and tough boots are key items.

 Plaid prints have been a mainstay on the high street for a while but when paired with outdoor wear the trend comes into its own; masculine, practical and unfussy. A progression from the boating boy trend of the summer, our new favourite pursuit is hiking.

 

DECEMBER Way Cool!: Sad but true, the 90s is now long enough ago to be deemed 'retro'. Combining California valley girl with messed up styling, the look can be as girly or grungey as you wish.

Knee high socks, Doc Martins and washed out denims are signatures for the trend; vintage-y without being dress-up. Alice Dellal is the pin up girl with the look being crystallised on the catwalk at House of Hollands S/S 09 collection. A main influence has to be American Apparel who set the ball rolling with their infective brand of casual body-con.

 

NOVEMBER The Turn Up: No longer merely out of practicality, the simple styling of the turn up is a statement in itself. With the addition of a brightly coloured sock, the trend is taken to another level, providing casual quirkiness and a finishing touch to an ordinary look.

The turn up has never really gone away however now it is becomming more pronounced with the turn up going above the ankle and towards ¾ length. Inspirations can be traced back to 50s preppy and 70s skinhead however there is something very modern, brave and fashion conscious about the trend. The ankle is the new cleveage.

 

Related files

• xoxo
• Blooming Prints
• Headscarves
• Grafik Statement
• Thrift Knits
• Denim on Denim
• The Secretary
• Turn Up
• Way Cool
• Wild Frontier
• Acid Splash

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