STIRRUP & take notice!
(aka your new trophy trousers)
THIS SEASON’S 1980s RESURGENCE is something we at Grazia are celebrating wholeheartedly. Puffball skirts at Moschino, shoulder pads at Vetements and Saint Laurent’s teenytiny bodycon dresses with bouffant sleeves are enough to make us want to indulge in a full-blown Dynasty marathon.
Of course the era wasn’t without its, erm, quirks. Oversized bows scooping up perma-perms and fishnet gloves were some of the decade’s more divisive trends. But what of the stirrup pant? About as basic during the ’80s as a boyfriend jean is now (that’s basic as in wardrobe staple, not Mossy-does-easyjet-bayy-sick), stirrup pants were a positive must-have. And guess what? They’re back.
Enter A/W ’16, specifically catwalk contributors Versace, Balenciaga and Marni. The trophy trouser was sported at each show with a spiky stiletto, much like it would have been in its heyday. Gone however are the high-cut leotards,
and lace bustiers of Madonna’s iconic Like
A Virgin era. No, no. The ‘trophy’ trousers are named thus not only because they are our hero pants of the season, but also because one must quite literally channel a trophy silhouette when wearing them.
It’s all about volume on top – big sleeves, ruffles, puffs and billowing bodices, giving way to a skinny leg and exposed ankle – three inches of bare skin, approx.
These trousers may have been invented for practical purposes, the stirrup originally there to hold sports pants in place, but don’t be tucking those elasticated straps into your boots. We want to see them – loud and proud – over your shoes. And what of the shoes? It’s mostly about a stiletto (a kinky kitten heel or an elevated ankle boot), or try a trainer to keep it sporty. Your pins will thank you for it – no other trouser shape will streamline quite like it. Time to strut your stuff and walk the power walk.