“Leggings: that word leaves my brain in utter unease”

Leggings: that word leaves my brain in utter unease. Those bottoms that practically stick to your thighs are said to ‘accentuate your curves’ which we can all agree, is totally untrue. They surely don’t compliment my figure when I’m helplessly staring into a 2 meter mirror with some black leather ones on, I mean it looked fine previewed on chicnova.com but I must bear in mind that was upon a 6″1, 24 inch waisted Korean supermodel. Anyway apparently men are all for them, yeah that probably only applies to the Korean supermodels once again.

During the periods of the 2014 fashion weeks where practically everybody is wearing clothing and outfits that are considered ‘on trend’, there was certainly a lack of the tight bottoms, instead people were opting for more dimensional and flared bottoms such as: boot-cut jeans, in my opinion these are equally as terrifying as wearing leggings; and culottes, which recently has had countless appearances in Vogue. My favourite from the two is culottes because despite their incredible inappropriateness to the environment I live in (Britain having weather that 99.9% of the time is pouring rain mixed with 100 mph gale force winds), these bottoms surely have been one of the few hopelessly searched on Google images keeping me up till 3 am in the morning just looking at street style outfits involving the specific attire. On the other hand, boot-cut jeans are as I previously indicated not scribed in my good books as much. It’s the fact that they highlight the thighs massively reasoning why we only see the jeans on Claudia Schiffer and people on 1960s to 70s black and white photographs considering that those years were the original golden era of the flared style.

As well as the fashion weeks, there is also a legging rarity in fashion magazines such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar which could be the indication of something those of us who wear the bottom attire regularly may be quite saddened to hear. However, when leggings do make an appearance upon street style blogs/webpages and magazine segments, it is most common to be that of a leather material yet they do appear rather baggy than normal leggings so whether you classify this style as bottoms is your own opinion, but what about jeggings? Jeggings have definitely risen in popularity in recent times due to the fact that they are akin to skinny jeans, nevertheless are even tighter and created from a larger comfort based material that is soft and thin meaning jeggings won’t increase sweating during summer contrary to authentic leggings. Jeggings are most frequently made from a blend of denim and spandex whereas leggings are lycra, nylon, polyester and cotton mix. You can see how the leggings are of a thicker material.

Of the few various presences of leggings in street style, I have managed to pick a favourite. This look is made up of some very in-trend leather black leggings, a white faux-fur (we hope) coat over a cream saggy polo-neck sweater and some opaque stilettos which may be the ones seen at the Miu Miu show. I adore this outfit because of the fact that the bottom half is very tight and non-textured though the top half is filled with texture, different lengths and fabric. Overall, the look is a contrast of black and neutral with the skin colour showing from the opaque boots complimenting it perfectly. Furthermore, there’s quite a mix of adequacy for both sides of the seasons; see-through boots, the classic block black sunglasses and the minimalistic panama hat added besides the furry insulation of the coat, snug knit of a sweater and of course, the shine of some black leggings (being black they will provide great warmth). This outfit proves that winter doesn’t need to be all dark to stay at a moderate temperature.

On to catwalks, Balenciaga speculated some leggings I would die for in there spring/summer 2007 show. Costing $100,000 at the time, they were part of the Transformer Collection contributing to the birth of futuristic style. Forwarding on, the garments were made ready to order and despite the resemblance and colossal price, were not made from real gold. I love them as greatly as they do not show the full shape of the legs contrasting to standard leggings. By being segments placed together, the bottoms are able to fool people and instead, remake the wearer’s leg shape themselves. Personally they remind me of the lost treasures of Ancient Egypt by result of their shine and pronounced quality, instantly depicting quite an aspect of higher-class to the attired.

My Personal Style Icons

If someone asked me who my most favoured fashion icon was, I would be lost because there is no particular person who influences my style. Despite this, there is several whom of which I receive outfit ideas from on a regular basis. As you read on, it becomes definitively clear that most of these are extremely cliché but that’s the reality and I am not going to fake a point just to seem original, I’ll just give the absolute truth. So here are the five humans who take the greatest superiority over my wardrobe and outfit configuration:

Alexa Chung

Most certainly, she is one of the biggest names in the industry of mode. Model turned TV presenter turned Vogue fashion journalist, Alexa possesses the uttermost desirable life for myself and she dated Alex Turner (it is unknown whether they are together at present day), another stupendous life achievement. Regarding style, hers is so effortless yet so effective, a goal I wish I had the capability of achieving. In addition, it is very masculine which she states by describing it as ‘boyish’ and adding to the idea of her living in my dream life, her wardrobe seems infinite. Literally, she wears different clothing every single day because she must have the majority given to her for free by companies but no matter what garment, Alexa can produce a striking combination. Overall, I believe that Alexa is the first British member to successfully pull off that chic Parisian look.

One of my favourite Alexa Chung outfits was the one she wore to the Chanel Ready to Wear Show in 2011. Sporting a special edition Chanel tote bag looking to be made from straw, she brought quite a childish feeling. The bag in particular was no surprise since she is seen regularly with cube/cuboid shaped bags which I rarely see in high street shops. Furthermore, the add-on of the biker shorts and spotted tights underneath a white blouse and grey tweed blazer (probably Chanel) really make the outfit quite preppy yet still keeping with her ‘boyish’ style, the plain and simple colours result in a lack of vibrancy conveying formality.

 

Twiggy

Twiggy is such a vast contributor to the fashion industry. Many articles have referenced her as being ‘the first supermodel’ with her long twig legs of which she received the name from. Regarding Twiggy’s style, many of the looks is ones used today that come as a reoccurring trend. Shift dresses and polo necks are the fundamental attire of the British icon. And here we are with shifts and polo necks lying on the shelves of almost every store. Another Twiggy trend I absolutely desire to master however has not yet completed is her definitive use of eye make-up. Sharp, thick black lashes as well as bold and audacious eye-liner with a precise line of black eye-shadow outlining her eye lids above that of quite a nude colour of base. To finish off her appearance, there was the classic Twiggy pixie-cut that many try to replicate: Emma Watson, Jennifer Lawrence and Shailene Woodley to name a few. Besides my fascination for the do, I would never get one myself after having a bob during primary years of which I thoroughly despised.

Tavi Gevinson

Now I discovered Tavi Gevinson after reading an article in Teen Vogue where she was interviewed by Alexa Chung. If you haven’t noted Tavi before than basically, she created a fashion blog called ‘Style Rookie’ (Google it) at 12 years old and became remarkably acknowledged in fashion. After having such a high status, Tavi got invited to shows and therefore, continued to be publicised even more. Meeting idols such as Karl Largerfeld and Anna Wintour, Tavi is a massive inspiration for me not only through her style but her success. Moving on to her fashion sense, it started as appearing very erratic however the looks worked. She’d combine a variety of textures she’d combine, one for instance was a wool rose brooch, tweed blazer and satin shirt. Yet, by the age of 18 (at present) Tavi tends to be more matching in her clothing, slightly having a greater use of common attire (denim shorts, converse) largely opposing the purple kimonos worn when she first came onto the scene.

Jenn Im 

I admit to being a YouTube addict likewise to many people my age. Subscribed to mostly the American teenagers channels, the ones who post morning routine videos when literally every single one of them has a house the size of a palace, views yoga as a religion and drinks kale, lettuce and whatever-other-green-vegetable-to-make-it-look-gross-as-hell smoothies. In conjunction with these perfect-lived teens, I also watch fashion channels such as fashionista804 and British Vogue, but above all I love Jenn Im’s (clothesencounters) content. Jenn has an alternative style to other ‘fashiony YouTube channels’. I mean this by the fact that she isn’t cliché. Rather than the teenagers on YouTube and those who go to my school of which they all practically wear the exact garments and the exact outfits, whereas Jenn Im dresses like someone from a street-style gallery- imaginative and à la mode. Plus Jenn always recommends amazing stores that I never knew existed.

Franca Sozzani

Franca is the editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia. Basically she’s the Italian version of Anna Wintour. A constant wearer of maxi coats and dresses, the outfits she creates lack quantity demonstrating the capability of producing a great look without using so many elements. Besides this, the most dominant feature of Franca is her georgous blonde locks that are always shaped into those perfect intertwining waves, a look that myself as well as many others strive for. In my opinion, maxi coats wouldn’t have rose as such as big a trend without Franca whose been wearing them since what seems like birth.

Ponchos Are The New Coat

Ponchos, ponchos, ponchos; the certain cape on the scene right now is that of Burberry’s custom initialled with a sophisticated font. You may not have noticed it but you will have come across it. Olivia Palermo had the ‘o’ and the ‘p’ on hers which she outstandingly paired with some black above-the-knee suede boots whereas Cara Delevigne opted for including her middle name of ‘Jocelyn’ having black lettering reading ‘CJD’. Excuse me before I start rambling on about the others (Suki Waterhouse, Rosie Huntington-Whitely) but where’s Alexa? To be completely honest, I don’t enter the craze of a product until she’s been snapped attiring it. Anyway, all my fellow Vogue readers will most probably be nodding their heads right now knowing how the magazine is just caped in ponchos at the moment. And surely enough we all want to pull one off right?

Taking its design way back to the times of the Paracas, a Peruvian and Pre-Inca Culture amongst the years of 500BC, the design was originally as simple as a blanket cut with a hole for the head and arms. However, several years later in 1850, the ruana (poncho in Columbian and Venezuelan) developed an increased market being worn by U.S military forces upon the Western Plains. These models in particular were produced through a latex-covered, waterproof cloth identified under the name of gutta percha muslin. Eventually, the chamanto (Chilli for poncho) was commonly worn as a form of water-proof apparel as well as a surface sheet for sleeping during the years of the American Civil War.

Let’s start with talking about the reoccurring item I’ve seen two fashion icons pair with the cosy overthrow. Knee-high boots are a tall person’s go-to whereas if you’re in a similar situation to me being 5’3 and below, this is definitely the opposition thus I’d opt for some regular stilettos instead. Anyhow, wearing such protracted garments besides a textured over-sized poncho really helps to cover-up. Another advantage of this look is the fact that due to the poncho and boots enclosing the majority of your body, there is take such time of thought into what you are wearing underneath, all that is needed is a t-shirt and jeans, items that everybody’s closet holds.

On the other hand, the runway takes a very alternative approach to styling ponchos for example Rag and Bone undertook their usual punk twist upon the pullover in of course dull greys that gave a gothic sense. Seen with some knee length socks (replacing the boots) and laced ankle boots, I deem this look to give out a greater feeling of youth rather than middle aged attire because of the socks childish aspect. Additionally, I love the bottom garment being an almost secretive pencil skirt emphasising the ponchos size further emphasising the poncho as a whole.

Another runway collection was Alexandra Wang’s back in the 2011 New York Fashion Week, bringing a more pure vibe rather than paranormal. Consisting of pastel pinks with intricate wool and furry detail the garments resembled angelic beings moreover angels conveying the flow of the poncho. However there were also Alexandra Wang ponchos in entire black that I am not so keen on. Altogether, both forms were of an extremely wide design and cover up a plentiful amount of the body reassuring that snug enclosed aspect you expect from a standard poncho.

Personally, I adore Hunter’s new group of ponchos. Some of which have a white top and coloured bottom corresponding well with their welling ton’s theme of block colour. Being water-proof, the capes are very convenient for those living an outdoor-orientated life who still wants to look stylish; even so, if you live in a rainy location such as Britain for example, this is an efficient pick-me-up for walking to and from places. None the less, there seems to be no hood. This may bring a disadvantage to those desiring one but there always lays Hunter’s moustache bubble umbrellas to keep your hair in-tact. Overall, having this look would appear as exceptionally art-deco as well as combining the classic with the modern because let’s face it, primary colours (blue, yellow and red) will always depict a contemporary essence.

Another poncho I particularly liked was that of Johnstons wool and cashmere-blend poncho. To start with, this design is partially similar to the Burberry form I talked about previously. Why? Because of its delicate cashmere and parallel print. Secondly, by using beige and cream shades, the design has a neutral feeling about it as if weightless. Therefore, during usage, the attire will appear more free-flowing and quite effortless. Similarly to my preceding paragraph, pair with some form of boots meaning dark ankle boots, knee length boots or just regular boots. From then on, it’s your choice. I believe that capes look acceptable with any kind of bottoms but as long as boots are included, everything is fine.

Here are some of my favourite poncho outfits I found on the internet:

Please pop a comment below of feedback regarding this post as I always want to improve to interest my readers more.

Thank-you for reading,

Poppy ~ Largerfeld Enthusiast x

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