How to solve a knotty problem like crochet
CROCHET. I know what you are thinking: ‘Granny quilting squares, baby booties … nothing to see here. Next please!’
And truly, I hear you. As a fashion trend, crochet has always struck me as a conundrum. It’s either impossibly sexy (see Heather Graham in bombshell mode, donning a pink and red crochet mini as Felicity Shagwell in Austin Powers); or downright frumpy (think lumpy tunics that make you look like you’ve dressed up in a doily). Tricky.
But as fashion continues its 1970s love affair, crochet is popping up everywhere, from quirky sky-high heels at Zara (€79.95, zara.com), to beaded tank tops at Topshop (€42,
topshop.com), so it’s worth making friends with the trend.
On the Autumn/Winter 2018 catwalks, designers continued to favour crochet for next season, too. It was embraced at Christian Dior; creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri showed a knee-length ‘sweater’ dress in ombre shades of mulberry and midnight (my dream buy), plus more ‘Felicity Shagwell’ cobwebby numbers that should only be attempted over a roll neck and knee-high boots.
BUT how to get in on the free-spirited crochet movement for summer without looking like an accident in a Hobbycraft warehouse?
Strong colours look more modern. I love the cap-sleeved, striped top in Alexa Chung’s latest collection (now €133, net-a-porter.com): perfect paired with raw-hemmed white jeans or, if you’re lucky enough to be blessed with Alexa’s legs, shorts.
Zara has a great striped tank top in a similar vein (€19.95, zara.com) and a chevron-striped wide-sleeved sweater (€39.95, zara.com). It’s the touch of black in these knits that keeps the look sharp.
The combination of pastel hues and crochet tends to fill me with dread, conjuring nightmarish retro visions of antimacassars and bed jackets. If you are going to invest in something pale and crocheted, go the whole hog in a romantic, maxilength floor-sweeper.
There are some fabulous big-event dresses with intricate crochet frills, in summery off-white shades — Australian label Zimmermann does this look well. Holidays provide the perfect chance to experiment. And while I won’t be wearing Zimmermann’s crochet bikini (€210, uk.zimmermannwear.com), if you look good in triangular bra tops, be my guest.
Avoid straying into 1970s costume territory by keeping accessories pared back and sticking to just one crochet piece in your outfit.
Accessories provide the easiest way to play with the trend. Check out Mira Mikati’s rainbow crochet sliders (€395, farfetch.com) for a feel-good vacation shoe. Crochet bobble earrings from J Crew (now €9.76, jcrew.com) provide a nice, witty Carmen Miranda touch.
And leave it to Anya Hindmarch, the cleverest lady in fashion, to come up with a detachable crochet ‘guitar strap’ for your handbag (€221, anyahindmarch.com). SARAH BAILEY is executive brand editor for Porter