By Jenni Sellan
@jennisellan
WE ALL LOVE a good fashion ‘come back’ story; a quick read on the latest trends to inspire the runway and how to take them to our real-way. And then every now and then there’s a come back that tips the style richter scale heavily toward cringe.
BUT when vogue claims they are crushing on a former cringe? The street wise smarten up and we start to listen. Kim, Kendall and gigi have all nailed it; vogue hailed it the hottest street style trend in Milan and Carolina Herrera had us mesmorised by it on the runway.
Yes its time to seriously reconsider and rethink the corset.
No longer provocative, in the words of Lisa Armstrong, (fashion director of the daily telegraph), the corset is now “gently and politely intentioned”. So how do we give this once provocative piece a new place in our wardrobes and ultimately street style credibility?
Two words: Accessorise and Layering.
In it’s come back the corset is not necessarily a piece to be played on it’s own but rather the heroine of a outfit of one who posses serious style prowess.
Thinking of the corset as both an accessory and your new favourite layering piece may just change your mind forever. For FW16 Miuccia Prada fastened it around wool coats, jackets and dresses; Carolina Herrera layered corset style dresses over the classic sheer white shirt For SS17, and on fashions favourite streets, style mavens around the globe have followed suit.
The key to mastery is paying attention to proportions. love wearing an oversized shirt but want to give it the feminine edge? Create a slightly less androgynous feel by using your corset to cinch in your waist, completing the look by layering a jacket or trench over the top.
Rocking a billowing statement sleeve? Make like Kim Kardashian and create the ultimate silhouette.
Great with high waist jeans and oversized tees and shirts, there is no doubting the corset is a great layering piece but it’s not your only option.
Take your style cue from Gigi and pair back with a classic black pant, or if you prefer a little rock-star glam, take it on a double date with your black leather pants. Only for the brave.
While the key may be balancing proportion and dressing with ‘polite intentions’, the corset requires a generous dose of confidence – it’s certainly not for the faint hearted or for those who prefer to fly under the style radar.
Keep it simple girls, and your corset might just remain up front and centre for a little while longer. And lets be honest, a little intentional nip and tuck never hurt anyone!
