Elle UK - 09.2019

ELLE.COM/UK September 2O19

Photography: Jason Lloyd - Evans, Gett y Images, Imaxtree, Rex Features.

78

The SHORTCUT

The easiest way to step into

a trend? With your

accessories, from 197Os-

style shades to 199Os coin-

embellished shoes (worn

together to recreate

autumn/winter 2O19’s

chronological mash-up).

ELLEMood Board

The TIP

Pile it on. And don’t be shy.

Go bold with XL door-

knocker brooches,

referencing Versace’s

baroque styles, and bright

colour nodding to the

198Os via Louis Vuitton.

fashion on the runway coincides with the growing popularity of resale

sites such as Vestiaire Collective and Depop. Both allow people to sell

and buy vintage styles to remix with pieces from their own wardrobes.

Today, Depop has more than 1O million users, and even the high-street

heavyweight H&M Group is piloting a reselling scheme, starting with

& Other Stories. ‘We see this as a growing part of the industry, with great

opportunities for consumers – and not least for the environmental impact,’

says Anna Gedda, the group’s Head of Sustainability. Browns is also

among a growing number of retailers adding ‘resale’ to its repertoire,

introducing vintage styles. It now stocks brands One

Vintage and Tiger In The Rain, both of which revive

pre-owned pieces with bright beading and embroidery.

‘Each designer has a unique aesthetic, and they are very

clear about their direction,’ says buying director Ida

Petersson. ‘One Vintage has been embraced by our

Saint Laurent and Chloé customers for its romantic

dresses and jackets, while Tiger In The Rain really

appeals to the risk-taker. Our customers are always on

the lookout for one-of-a-kind items – something that is

becoming increasingly hard [to find] these days, unless

you have the budget for couture.’

How to recreate that look? Do as the designers do: start with a base of

something that’s actually vintage (a 196Os-era cape or 199Os denim),

then pile on the accessories (statement-making scarves, hats, gloves,

eyewear). Petersson regards runways’ everything-but-the-kitchen-sink

styling responsible for a spike in sales of brooches, charms, bag straps

and other ‘accessorisable’ (it’s a word...) add-ons. ‘Non-apparel is now

more than 5O% of our womenswear business,’ she says. ‘Accessories

are the easiest way to update your wardrobe, as they instantly refresh

your outfit.’ Lyst, a platform that analyses the shopping habits of more

than five million shoppers a month across 12,OOO designers and stores,

also reports that footwear and accessories dominate its searches.

And it is statement accessories that ignite most heat among millennial

customers. If you want to know who’s doing them well: ‘I always look

to Prada, Loewe and Chloé,’ Petersson says. ‘As well as a new wave

of designers like Amina Muaddi, Wandler and Staud.’ (The latter three

sweetly priced, starting at £16O.)

Of course, the accessories and time-travelling layers at Bottega

Veneta, Gucci, Givenchy, Paco Rabanne and others don’t just speak

to our desire to shop ‘smart’. They also speak to character. Switching

up your style with a rotation of clashing colours, textures and prints

opens up more ways to express ourselves. ‘It’s about spirit,’ says Waight

Keller. Whichever decade that spirit happens to come from.

Versace

Louis Vuitton

Versace

Versace

Chloé

Coat, £95,SIMPLY BE

Sandals, £19O,BIMBA Y LOLA

Necklace, £45O,

JW ANDERSON

Sunglasses, £139,

MCQ ALEXANDER

McQUEEN

Cape, £329,

HOBBS

Boots, £69O,

ALEXANDER

MCQUEEN

Cardigan, £85O, GUCCI

Brooch, £3OO,

SAINT LAURENT

at HARVEY

NICHOLS

Top, £25,

SIMPLY BE

Blazer, £295,

BIMBA Y LOLA

Sunglasses £139

C M

How to... MIX & MASH-UP

p

RABANNE. Belt, £3O,DUNE

Top, £47O,PACO