7:00am Saturday 15th November 2008
Work the hippy chic vibe with this season's folk fashions.
By Lisa Haynes
When folk re-emerged on the trend agenda for autumn/winter, fashion cynics groaned. This wasn't about transporting our wardrobes back to the 70s but Sienna Miller-chic, circa 2005.
It was the summer the actress' penchant for floaty smock dresses, coin belts and furry gilets almost single-handedly turned the nation into hippy clones.
But boho haters can breathe a sigh of relief. This season, thanks to major catwalk players like Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and DKNY, folk fashion is back in vogue with a seriously glam makeover. Madonna was quick to sport a Gucci paisley dress hot off the runway back in April, while the rest of us were still working last winter's togs.
The fact the trend has made a comeback for the A/W season instantly gives folk a newer, grown-up feel. Bright paisley prints look dark and moody against black backgrounds and key detailing like silky scarves and leather fringing give the look a luxurious edge.
So forget notions of Sienna '05 and go for nu-folk. We reveal the key pieces and styling tricks that will make you fall back in love with boho.
:: DELUXE HIPPY MUST-HAVES If this season's folk appeals to your inner hippy, you don't need to go bankrupt to go bohemian. A couple of folkish must-haves are all you need to work the look.
:: PAISLEY It's 'the' key print for folk A/W 08. You'll find bold paisley swirls on black background or ditzy multi-coloured sprigs for a more subtle look.
TRY: Orion London paisley Liu dress, £62; ASOS chiffon folk skirt, £30; Red Herring at Debenhams paisley print tunic dress, £30 (47 Euros); Matalan chiffon paisley blouse, £12.
:: FRINGING Not to be confused with the flapper girl fringing, also big this season, boho fringing is bolder on tougher fabrics like leather and suede.
TRY: Rare fringed waistcoat, £59; Topshop fringe leather waistcoat, £65; Office Bambi fringe knee boot, £105; F&F at Tesco fringed saddle bag £10.
:: GILET This is one cover-up comeback you may still have hanging around. Faux fur and shaggy sheepskin gilets are ideal for winter layering if you want to channel 70s chic.
TRY: Evans faux fur gilet, £40 (61 Euros); Betty.Jackson.Black at Debenhams purple faux fur trim gilet, £250; Miss Selfridge grey faux fur gilet, £45 (68 Euros); George at Asda faux fur gilet, £20.
:: ACCESSORIES If you love accessorising, folk is the A/W look for you. Go boho overboard and play around with a mix of scarves, bags, belts, necklaces and bracelets. It's the ideal way to work the trend without changing your wardrobe.
TRY: Accessorize multicoloured folk bag, £35 (59 Euros); Internacionale paisley satin scarf, £6; Upper Fifth black fringed scarf, £20 at ASOS, Miss Selfridge studded tassel hipster belt, £20; Jane Norman multi wood studded bangle set, £8.
:: FOLK STYLE Credit crunch shoppers take note. Yes, you can rescue some hippy chic pieces from the back of your wardrobe. But no, don't dare rehash the look from S/S 05.
Update your boho fashion ethos with this season's styling tips to fast forward your look.
:: Hoist in that waistline. Skinny belts are key to keeping your folk silhouette band up to date. If you prefer a lower slung look, head for wider embellished belts - Gucci worked gold disc styles on the catwalk.
:: Opulent prints are all important. Keep to autumnal tones like fiery reds and oranges if you like warm tones, or rich purples and blues if you favour cool shades.
:: Lose the woolly knits this winter. A silky print scarf or long fringed shawl is an instant style updater for hippy deluxe.
:: Stark black is the perfect contrast for all those prints, fringing and faux fur. DKNY, Gucci and Hermes let the folk creations do the talking by teaming their creations with black tights or tailored black trousers.
:: STOCKISTS Accessorize: 0870 412 9000 ASOS: www.asos.com Debenhams: 08445 616 161/www.debenhams.com Evans: 0845 121 4516/www.evans.co.uk F&F at Tesco: 0800 505 555 George at Asda: 0845 300 1111 Internacionale: www.internacionale.co.uk Jane Norman: www.janenorman.co.uk Matalan: 0845 330 3330/www.matalan.co.uk Miss Selfridge: 0845 121 4517/www.missselfridge.co.uk Office: 0845 0580 777/www.office.co.uk Orion London: 0207 624 7087/www.orionlondon.co.uk Rare: www.rarefashion.co.uk Topshop: www.topshop.com :: GET THE LOOK Rachel Stevens has swapped her Strictly Come Dancing fussy frills and sequins for gunmetal grey. Work the body con trend in Jane Norman's grey seamed cocktail dress, £80 (www.janenorman.co.uk).
:: BUY IT NOW Sure to get F1 champ Lewis Hamilton's engine revving up, girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger and her Pussycat Dolls crew have launched a new lingerie range for La Senza. The burlesque-style sets are available in select stores and online (www.lasenza.co.uk) from November 10.
FASHION FLASH :: LBD QUEEN All hail the new queen of little black dresses. British designer Hannah Marshall is the up-and-coming name to watch in fashion circles. Impressing an expert panel of judges, including Fearne Cotton and Jamelia, Hannah scooped Olay's Future Fashion Star at the recent Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women of the Year Awards. Centred on the iconic LBD, her designs feature body conscious and voluminous silhouettes.
"Hannah is a British talent hard to ignore," Fearne Cotton says.
"She has this trademark edgy restraint to her clothes and a dare-to-be-different outlook."
:: BID ON BAGS Anyone for Fendi, Gucci or Prada arm candy? Get your best mouse clicking finger at the ready. During November, Elle magazine is hosting an exclusive designer handbag auction in aid of Sarah Brown's White Ribbon Alliance charity. For 30 days, bag aficionados will find 30 designer handbags donated by the world's leading designers. Get bid - and bag - happy at www.elleuk.com/30bagsauction.
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.halesowennews.co.uk