Every season, there are trends which come to the fore & cause us to crinkle our foreheads in confusion.  Why is this in fashion?  Who is really going to wear it, & if so, why?  So many things seem to be designed with the intention of being “interesting” as opposed to flattering.  While this certainly happens in high fashion, it seems to be even more prevalent within the realms of young indie designers.  Sometimes I look at what’s on sale & wonder, really wonder, why? 
 
With that, I present to you some trends which I have mixed feelings about.

Clogs. Karl Lagerfeld, head evil genius at Chanel, sent clogs down the catwalk late last year.  Since then, they have popped up on the tootsies of both Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen as well as countless other celebrities.  Since fashions usually trickle down from celebrities to the high street, it’s a fair bet that we’ll soon be seeing only the backs of our friends feet for a while.

I remember being in primary school when black studded clogs worn with white ankle socks were all the rage.  I didn’t do it then and I definitely won’t be doing it now!  This new incarnation is a little less clunky, more streamlined & mostly designed to give you serious height.  Take your currently fashionable wedge bootie and lop off the back, and you have the modern clog.

So, what do you think?  The perfect shoe for summer or an unfortunate trend?

If clogs are a-callin’ to you, Teen Vogue has a list of “must have” clogs for Spring.  Also, may I suggest exfoliating your heels thoroughly?

The Poncho

The poncho 
I really think this is Clint’s game, & Clint’s game alone.  Who could make a poncho look better than this?

Game, set, match.

Harem Pants.
Okay, I admit, when the harem trend kicked off, I was all over it. When I was in Paris in 2008, black harem pants were all I wore.  It’s hard to see in the picture above, but I wore them with a studded belt, a leather jacket & either motorcycle boots or black stilettos. I thought it was pretty cute at the time & I still think a pair of plain black harem pants look fab when worn with the right proportions.  (This is definitely an item which needs to be paired with the right pieces.)

My friend Gilda makes sequinned harem pants which I think are absolutely incredible.  But recently I have seen high-waisted harem pants with polka dots.  Floral drop-crotch trousers.  One-shoulder harem jumpsuits.  Drop-crotch pants made with fabric that has clearly been floating around a warehouse since 1963.  What do you think of harem pants?  Fabulous or vomitous?

Via Pixie Market.

Crochet.
I recently saw for sale a pair of crocheted shoes.  That is all.

Jumpsuits.
Tricky, tricky, tricky.  Getting your hands on the perfect jumpsuit can be a fool’s errand, simply because of all the factors you need to take into account.  Is your torso too long or short?  Are the straps (if any) adjustable?  Does your butt fit into it & if so, how about your thighs?  Are the pant legs too long?  Can they be cuffed?  ET CETERA.

Jumpsuits, onesies, rompers, playsuits — they’re all variations on the same thing & they’ve been making the fashion rounds since 2008. This is the evolution of a trend: firstly, introduce it in a way which isn’t too difficult for the average punter. Then, wear it to death. Finally, start switching it up. Come out with some radical adjustments to the original style & see how it takes off.  When it comes to jumpsuits, you can now get pretty much anything imaginable. Patterns? Long sleeves? Cut-out sections?  You name it, you got it. 


ASOS and Net-A-Porter have some great options. Look!  A questionable trend combo! Worn with a pair of killer open-toed stilettos or rad sandals, they make almost the perfect outfit.  Except for when you need to go to the restroom, of course.

Words by Gala Darling