Wearing Clothes that don't Fit? Welcome to the Nineties Revival

This shirt is miles too big for me.

It is a men's extra large, and I am 5'1. But I love it, and my excuse for wearing it constantly with every outfit possible is that it's 'Nineties' and therefore totally acceptable. Nineties grunge was symbolised by the oversized. Baggy, high waisted jeans, loose shirts and enormous blazers. And it's all coming back. 

Drew Barrymore, Poison Ivy

Bomber Jacket, Urban Outfitters

The high street is encouraging everyone to channel their inner Drew Barrymore, the uncrowned queen of Nineties grunge. Bomber jackets, ripped jeans and accessories such as impossibly round sunglasses, scrunchies and beanies during summer are looming large in most high street chains.

But it's not purely the oversized that pervaded the ill-fitting style of the Nineties. Teeny tiny crop tops, mini dresses and hot pants also made up key elements of the fashion. Think a young Liv Tyler, or classic Kate Moss. Rather than there being an excess of material, there is virtually nothing at all! Again, the crop top has been making a strong comeback, having been back on the high street now for about a year. It's showing no signs of dying out, summer twenty fourteen is set to be filled with high waisted denim hot pants coupled with a basic crop or bralet. 

One of the best things about the Nineties revival is that it need not be expensive. Vintage or charity shops sell these clothes for around half the price of the high street, and, given that accurate sizing was clearly not a priority during this particular fashion era, so meticulously searching for the perfect fit is not an issue. I think the style works best when the oversized is mixed with the undersized...as it were. a loose fitting shirt worn over a skin-tight crop top, for example, or hot pants worn with a baggy sweatshirt. That way, you get the best of both worlds. Plus too much oversized can end up looking a bit sack like, whilst too little can end up looking...well, yeah. 

But the one thing I refuse to get on board with is the excess of denim. So far, this is an aspect of the Nineties revival that is yet to make a comeback...but it's only a matter of time...

ARGH

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The Spring/Summer Subversion

It's that time again. The pastels are in their prime, florals are making their inevitable appearance and bold colours are boldly striding forth - spring/summer fashion is in bloom.

Pastels and bolds are fantastic, if you can pull them off. If you are like me, however, this is not easy to do. Pastel colours and pale skin were not made to co-exist, the combination usually results in an 'I've just got rid of the flu' look... Bold colours can work really well, depending on the undertone to your complexion. For me, red is a no-go, it brings out the pink in my skin and I end up looking like a lobster. 

So I propose black. Yes, it's a wintery colour, but we're British! It rains all the time anyway.

Black is eternally stylish, it never really goes out of fashion. Instead, season by season, it moves in and out of the forefront of colour trends.

But black was definitely present at the twenty-fourteen fashion weeks, and they proved that it doesn't have to be associated with the more 'sombre' seasons.

Take a look at Yves Saint Laurent 'Black Magic' at Paris Fashion Week

It's sophisticated, but not too heavy. It's smart, whilst still emphasising the complexion of both models.

And black is pervading the high street as well. A personal fave of mine are the black dungarees that are making a frequent appearance in the high street shops. Urban Outfitters have some great styles.

These tapered dungarees are great for spring. Their smart/casual style can work for both day and night - the 3/4 length leg would work perfectly with flats for the day time, or with a pair of heeled ankle boots for the evening. Plus, the dungarees can be coupled with something colourful, so if you are one for the pastel trend, the two can be combined. 

But, just because I tend prefer a more casual style, I prefer the classic denim dungaree - which also look great in black. These vintage dungarees are a throwback to 90's fashion, which has been making a huge comeback on the high street over the past year.

The whole 'oversized' look so popular with 90's fashion does risk looking a little sack-like...but the black dungarees add a little 'chic'-ness to the whole look. It's classy, but at the same time oozes that effortless cool that simply says "yeah, I threw this on...I haven't even showered yet, I don't care, I'm too cool to care"

Though it is a fine balance. Unfortunately the dungaree will always be associated with the stereotypical redneck American. So, without careful consideration, it becomes less high-street cool and more Texan farmer...

       ...and no one wants that.

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