Inspiration from the Runway: Spring/Summer 2020 Edition

Hey! Amy here. One of my favourite things about Fall is fashion week. After a summer of non-dressing it's fun to look toward the trends and to think about what looks will be adaptable for real life. The shows we're looking at are for Spring/Summer 2020 but since I'm looking at them when I'm starting to get my fall layering game together, some of the ideas are usually creeping in. And let's be honest, it's not like any of these clothes have seasons anyway. I mean, Resort (bathing suits) happens right in the middle of the winter cause that's when rich people go to Ibiza. So, you know, real life. I looked at every show (so you don't have to) and I pulled out what I think are some interesting trends that could trickle down into sewing planning. Let's suspend our disbelief, put on our fashion coloured glasses and pick apart some very beautiful and overpriced clothes.

THE NOT A SUIT, SUIT

The idea of coordinating separates is a standard category in RTW, but for SS2020 the effect is that of a suit...with a twist. Sweat suits, jackets and skirts or shorts and pants with a matching vest or trench have the feeling of a uniform or something closer to menswear. I love this kind of dressing since it has the effect of looking super put together with little or no actual thought. In real life this idea could translate to making an outfit all out of the same fabric. A linen cardigan and matching pants maybe, or a sweatshirt and matching shorts in a fun stripe. I also love the idea that with a little planning you can make a wardrobe that coordinates with a few mix and match sets so you can spend less time thinking about what to wear and more time doing other stuff...like making more stuff to wear!

DYE JOB

One trend that kept popping up in the shows I looked at was the concept of artisanal dyeing. Dip dyeing, tie dye, shibori and the like was everywhere! I wasn't surprised since I have been seeing those trends for a few years already all over the making community on instagram and in Etsy shops, especially with plant-based and natural dye processes. I would say the overarching theme of 2020 fashion is sustainability and up-cycling. One of my favourite ways to save a garment from the landfill is to dye it. Whether it's a white t-shirt that's past its prime or something that just isn't a colour I like, giving it a new life with dye is an easy way to put your personal spin on something and add a piece to your wardrobe you'll actually wear.

FRINGE

This is two trends in one. First, there is the fringe aspect which we saw predominantly on the bottoms of skirts and dresses, but another iteration was with large open weave macrame like fishing net fabric. I can't say I'm likely to get super on board with this trend for my everyday looks, but I do love the idea of a summer sweater for the beach that feels like a fishing net or a skirt with a fringey bottom for dancing (now that's some frosting!)

POLKA DOTS

I read on some fashion blog that the polka dot trend is to be credited to the recent resurgence of Lady Di fashion inspo currently circulating the internet. While I'm not one to argue with that logic (or the internet for that matter) I'm also kinda inclined to say, aren't polka dots always sorta there, just waiting to come back? The more trendy aspect seems to be the black/white combo and the very 90's look of both those prints together (Rodarte). I suspect this means we'll be seeing lots of dots in fabric stores this year too, which is an easy enough trend to get on board with!

THE BIGGER THE SLEEVE...

When we created the Rome Collection, our pattern drafter Celine brought a few versions of the "big sleeve" to the table. Ever the fashion detective, she could see this trend coming a mile away and we were confident after we settled on the lantern sleeve for our Cielo top that we were right in the middle of the sleeve zeitgeist! Looks like that trend is going to continue. My personal take on this is that it's an update on the big shoulders of the 80's and it's relation to women gaining power in the workplace. I think the big sleeve trend is a way of asserting your power in a similar way but with a style that takes it farther away from that initial menswear inspiration.

 

For me dressing is as much about how you wear things as much as it is the garments themselves and whenever I'm feeling in a bit of a rut I find looking at high fashion as a way of taking my blinders off and realizing the way I put myself together is totally up to me! Most often I find I don't actually need any new clothes, I just need to style them in such a way that makes me feel bit new.

So are you inspired? What trends are looking forward to giving a whirl?