I graduated from university in the 90s – peak grunge. Buffy slayed vampires, Courtney Love smashed guitars and Winona Ryder gave us a reason to wear head-to-toe black. Although corsets and ripped tights never really made it to my wardrobe (my first job was as a substitute teacher), the look never lost its appeal. I just found ways around potential dress code violations.
Almost thirty years later, we’ve come full circle. With dark romance one of this season’s biggest catwalk trends – think ruffled collars, cinched bodices and sweeping hems – now’s the time to indulge your inner Goth kid while still showing up to that parent-teacher meeting. It can be done. Here’s how.
The key to mastering the trend is layering one trend piece with one civilian. The idea is to allow for visual interest without looking like you just escaped from a Bram Stoker novel. Dial down a high-neck lace top with wide-leg trousers and a fitted blazer. Accentuate the waist with a menswear-inspired cummerbund and finish with a pair of loafers. Give velvet flares the daywear treatment with a long white shirt, slim retro trainers and a sweater vest. By night, keep it breezy with a billowy blouse, ankle boots and a bow belt (easily recreated with a waist-tied scarf).
If, like me, you’re a recovering minimalist, you’re in luck. Long leather opera-style gloves are having a moment too, carrying over from last autumn/winter. Wear them with simple separates like a trenchcoat with pushed-up sleeves, white tee and jeans or a black strapless dress and kitten heels. Very 90s. Save that last one for date night. I think it’s for the best.
