FASHION
A modern take on vintage styles offers a fresh approach to tidy casual dressing
Hit Girl
Button-up dresses, crisp flares, prim blouses — wardrobe staples of a well-dressed Sloane from the past, and the kind of pieces that make trans-seasonal dressing effortless. Who would have imagined prim and proper pieces could be so cool? It’s the school of Alexa Chung’s modern mix of retro-inspired style: separates that make a convincing case for light layering and tidy, casual outfits are perfect as the weeks progress into spring. The Brit style icon debuted her AlexaChung collection in June, inspired by her love of vintage shopping and androgenous shapes. Think pussy-bow blouses teamed with denim, the perfect contrast that works across several occasions. Vintage pieces are important here, try re-working existing wardrobe faithfuls or trawl through your favourite vintage stores for the perfect T-shirt or top to layer under overalls and sleeveless dresses. Several up-and-coming designers have also looked to classic silhouettes with a slight nod to the 70s — Paris Georgia Basics and Wynn Hamlyn are two examples of emerging brands creating well-made pieces, perfect for any cool girl about town; and for this season’s stand-out coat, look to the retro red Valencia trench by Kate Sylvester, a piece that offers up plenty of street cred.