This report is compiled by Melissa Dick
Checkmate
In the absence of embellishment, print and surface detail, checks
saw a major revival on the autumn catwalks.
Tweed, plaid and lumberjack all made an appearance and dogtooth
was popular in monochrome modernist stories. Tartan was used in
many ways from Alexander McQueen’s modern day lady Macbeth
to Luella and Sportmax’s punk princesses.
|
Across all four fashion capitals,
designers gave a ‘big up’’ to the Brits, embracing
the style of English eccentrics and reviving checks, tweeds, tartans
and plaids. At cool Brit girl Luella Bartley’s
show in New York cocktail dresses and frock coats came in tartan
and plaid, styled with striped mohair knits and frill front shirts
in a punk meets rockabilly fashion.
This trend will be popular with the younger high street stores
like New Look, River Island and Miss Selfridge, replacing pirate
themes as the new casually cool street style.
For the more mature customer it’s important to remember
that when it comes to tartan less is more. You won’t be trying
to recreate a street style look, so use tartan as an accent or nod
to the trend with accessories like bags and scarves |
|
|
At McQueen models
were dressed like Scottish fantasy heroines in checks and tartans,
playing out a Highland fling theme. Going back to his roots McQueen
revived his own family’s tartan and worked it into suits and
dresses with raw edges, chunky Aran knit sleeves and aged calico
petticoats.
Elsewhere on the catwalks the look was more commercial: |
At Burberry Prosum
in Milan coats, suits and skirts came in cosy wool plaids and were
topped with beanie hats.
Expect checked coats to be popular on the high street for women
who don’t want the drama of a retro mod cut coat or the conventional
cut of a trench. Check coats are for those who enjoy colour and
pattern and may be feeling its absence come October |
|
|
Soft large scale plaids were a
big story at DKNY. Rather than styling the look
head to toe she used the checks on individual pieces like the skirt
or the cap above and this is how most of us will approach this trend.
Few people have the nerve to carry off a tartan dress and check
suits can look frumpy when not on the catwalk. A nod to this trend
with a shirt under a jumper, a simple wool skirt or even just a
check cap is all most of us need. |
For your list of essential Checkmate
fashion garments to add to your wardrobe to make this look work,
look at Checkmate in High street. |
|
