CALIFORNIA DREAMING
TIE-DYE, NEOPRENE, AND BUCKET HATS… A BEACHY SENSIBILITY IS SET TO DEFINE THE SEASON
Surf’s up! Ride the new wave of beach-ready looks.
EVERY FASHION WEEK we’re bombarded with dozens of inspirational runway shows and thousands of individual looks – but from the visual overload, a dominating and defining theme always emerges.
This was certainly the case for spring/ summer 19, where a look best described as “surf’s-up chic” was presented every which way, but loose. Think the kitschy tie-dyed
Jaws singlets at Calvin Klein 205W39NYC in New York and the refined take — covetable bags and belted skirts — spotted at Prada in Milan.
Speaking in simple terms, tie-dye was a defining print of the season, popping up at too many shows to mention, from jewel-bright colours at MSGM, to navy elegance at Christian Dior and artfully clashed shirting at Proenza Schouler.
But the trend went well beyond tie-dye – there was neoprene at Sportmax and Marine Serre (who created upcycled eveningwear); kitschy ‘80s-style florals and fish prints at Michael Kors and paisley swimsuit/wetsuits at Etro (plus surfboards carried by pro-surfers Victoria Vergara and Maribel Koucke).
Accessories-wise, there was an obscene amount of headwear on display – neon caps in waterproof fabrics, OTT sunhats, swimming caps and drawstring bucket hats in bold colours. The resurgence of seashell jewellery doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon, but for SS19 they’re oversized and mismatched – look to Missoni and Altuzarra for inspo.
Integrating this trend into your own wardrobe? We’re geographically blessed on that front. The whole Californian surfer-chic aesthetic has always been an intrinsic part of Australian style, but this season it’s about putting a refined spin on the thongs-and-cut-offs uniform of your teenage years.
Instead, it’s a Hawaiian-inspired silk shirt with denim shorts and leather sandals; a pair of bright striped wide-leg trousers with a black sleeveless turtleneck and statement earrings; a tie-dye printed wrap dress with a great heel and clutch. Essentially, it’s exactly what you want to be wearing to a rosé-filled Sunday lunch or on those beach days that roll into lazy dinners. Bucket hats are optional.