The 1980's
Vogue Style Notes: Eighties Revival
SOME haircuts completely
change the tempo of your wardrobe: trend-defining hairstyles that leave even
your favourite clothes feeling somehow not quite right. A knife-edge bob
cut, for instance, inspires neatness and a fresh chance to take on artsy graphic
prints with conviction; long, loose waves lend a purposeful romance to autumn's
handsome suiting; and scalp-braids elevate full-look sportswear.
Then you have the mullet - a curve ball, the
game-changer. Edie Campbell's do - a rat-nibbled, half short, half long affair
- worships at the altar of that inimitable Eighties hairstyle, which now feels
the norm. Sky Ferreira and Lindsey Wixson's frayed tresses and Daria's inky
mullet, the star of the latest Equipment ad campaign, provide heavyweight
support. The tricky, wispy, mostly unflattering cut challenges even cheekbones
of the highest order, yet as it trickled through spring/summer 2014 editorials,
it triggered an Eighties streetwear revival. Slouchy pixie boots, panelled
leggings and Disco-ready ra-ra skirts appeared on the autumn/winter 2014
catwalks - and aren't they, well, actually rather appealing? Warning: this is a
look to be worn sparingly and with a healthy dash of irony.
The time has come to
soften die-hard minimalism that's in danger of taking itself too seriously.
Balmain's leather military jackets work the firm shoulder angle where a skinny
biker style would just feel too plain. Chanel's cowl-neck sweaters and
go-faster leggings lead the new openly optimistic mood as do the jaunty
"club kid" sequined caps that Karl planted on the back of models
heads for Chanel's recent couture show. Likewise, Rag & Bone's sloppy
lipstick-red boots don't take themselves too seriously - wear them with an
asymmetric Isabel Marant minidress and oversized hoop earrings. Those classic
"don'ts" (pale blue denim, knotted neckerchiefs and super-cropped
suit jackets) suddenly feel very now, just wear them one at a time. It sure
beats all this talk of the Nineties, doesn't it?
I am very happy to see eighties coming back as personally I love the quirkiness of the 80's.
