Past Times

Call me a hipocrit, but a year ago, if someone had said '1970s' to me, I would have thought, yes, shapeless dresses, lot's of monotone browns and dirty greens, and some lurid patterns. Now I hear 1970s, and I think, yes, flowing dresses, sophisticated neutral brown tones, and perhaps still lurid patterns. To cut a long story short, I love the 1970s look. If I could live in my wide leg trousers, gilet, and floppy hat, I would. But then that wouldn't be very interesting, would it?

Chloe's AW10 collection was certainly the go to place for the camel flares vibe, but the SS11 took a sheer, toga style turn. However, there's certainly still the inspiration. It's full of beautiful flowing semi sheer maxis (items of infinite wonder), and like always, it's throwing together a whole array of neutral tones.

But if there was one collection to hit the glamourous 1970s nail on the head, it was Cerruti R-T-W SS11. Well some of it anyway. While half the collection was futuristic, contrasting prints, there were still some looks of a considerable brown/ floaty nature. Stunning jumpsuits, layered trousers, camel blazers...what a dream.

And for the other side of things, you know, the more realistic 70s look, I have to look to the menswear collections. Strange, perhaps, but Trussardi has offered some beautiful flying jacket, and now the furs are calling. It's all leather and hard wearing fabrics, so to whichever lucky people can get their hands on these jackets, they've got the longlasting beauty they ought to. Yes, it's a mans, but think of it open over a cable knit cardie, vest top and some cropped leggings or those 70s trousers you really want to wear? Oh and throw in some chunky loafers or clogs. Perfect.

Now then, go and treat yourself with a big floppy hat. It's a first class ticket to BIBA glamour, and who doesn't want that?

Remember to strut, I mean, allegedly you are wandering over to a wood pannelled drawing room for champagne with the London elite. Or at least, you have to or you'll trip over your huge trousers.

Photographs from http://www.vogue.co.uk/, and http://www.dazeddigital.com/

Earning the Wreath

Take one iconic British label, add one designer well known for minimalism, leave for a couple of months, and what do you get? A perfectly retro collection.

It was very hard, as a vintage enthusiast, not to get even slightly excited on seeing the Richard Nicoll and Fred Perry Laurel Wreath Collection for SS11. The casual cool of the brand gets updated this month with 50s tomboyish teddy girls, striking the well toed line between feminine elegance and classic style. With a return of the cotton pique shirt and the Harrington bomber jacket comes a remarkably retro aesthetic that once more pushes the brand further into tradition.

The collection was based on portraits of 1950s teddy girls by the legendary film director Ken Russel. By pinpointing those who had to fight post-war austerity, the product is simplicity at its best. Antique brooches and pearl cardigans sit alongside the masculine sporty Fred Perry stereotype, and will now only inspire me to do the same. Nicoll said of his collection, 'I like the idea that something as conservative and traditional as a cameo brooch could become subversive in the right hands .'

Right, that's it. Forget the floaty blouses. I'm rooting out the polo , brooches and chains. If I'm feeling particularly radical tomorrow I'll tie a shoe lace around my neck. In 3 days when the collections out, everyone will understand...

Photographs from http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk