Clean Sheet

Givenchy

Stella McCartney

J. Mendel / Valentino

Celine / Derek Lam

Richard Nicoll

Chloé / Gucci

Rebecca Minkoff / Roland Mouret
The recent outings of the Resort 2013 collections have injected a dose of colour into the veins of our gloomy summer. Bottega Veneta gave us an array of coloured combinations, Marchesa gave us ballgowns in electric blue and pink, and Derek Lam presented the orangest pair of trousers known to man. But through this rainbow, one thing is clear. Regardless of the fact that these clothes don't drop until Autumn, white is back in a big way.
Looking through the Resort photos, I couldn't help but notice how many designers have given us white-on-white looks; white jackets layered over crisp white shirts and tailored white trousers, white blazers over white shirt dresses, and strangest of all, white shoes. Turns out Raf Simons white shoes at Jil Sander may have been a hit. 
So for Resort we'll all be looking clean and crisp in our white combos. Take direction from Stella McCartney's relaxed yet tailored layering, Givenchy's structured outerwear, and Celine's accessory matching. Just make sure you don't sit on anything, keep away from people with drinks, and hold your invite to Diddy's party in hand. 

The Bandeau Experiment

Prada / Proenza Schouler

So bandeau tops are popping up all over the new Spring stock, but let's just think about the bandeau for a second. You can't really get away with wearing one normally or you'll look like a 13 year old who's going to the beach. If you're over the stomach bearing of your teens (a phase I never had the privilege of experiencing) then Spring's collections gave us the resolution:

Bandeau + High Waisted Skirt = Classy & Street Cool

Miuccia is undoubtedly the figurehead here, as we saw prolific bandeau tops at Prada all teamed with the pleated pastel skirts, but there were examples elsewhere. Best other demonstration; Proenza Schouler who paired their dual colour bandeau with yellow florals (a look which made their Poly starring campaign). I digress, but anyone else creeped out by Kinga's Schwarzenegger abs?

There seems to be a question here though...can we actually get away with the bandeau? It's not really the sort of look to go unnoticed in the office (and not in a good way) but it seems if you pair it with a blazer/jacket/coat (I know it's summer) then it becomes suddenly more demure, a la Prada with those hell-a-ugly printed coats.

So let's try these on for size...

Haider Ackermann Blazer / Tillys Bandeau / Jil Sander skirt / DVF Clutch / Alexander Wang Shoes

Or....

Givenchy Vest / Miso Bandeau / Chloe Skirt / Chloe Pumps / Tory Burch Clutch.

Seems to me like a jacket or a flat shoe might just push the bandeau into acceptable territory. Still, I think the only place this look is going to proliferate are those concrete catwalks outside shows.

And can we all just take a moment of silence to consider those Alexander Wang white sandals. I want them, you want them, we all want them. Hence why they're already sold out everywhere. Voila.

Peace Out

Loes x