Vinyl: How to wear this season's most daring trend
It’s the must-have material of the moment
This season high-shine fabrics were key on the catwalk with everything from vinyl to latex, plastic and patent leather signalling the arrival of what is arguably autumn/winter’s most daring trend.
A rubbery fabric that’s most commonly associated with fetishism, vinyl’s arrival into the world of fashion came via designers such as Andre Courreges and Pierre Cardin in the Sixties, who each incorporated it into their collections as a signifier of the future.
Nowadays though, vinyl has officially entered the mainstream.
On the runways, metallics came full-gloss at Chanel while Simone Rocha’s typically feminine frocks were given a fetishistic edge in patent red and khaki green.
Elsewhere, the classic trend coat received a contemporary update with a high-shine, shower-proof finish at Fendi, Miu Miu and Gareth Pugh.
It’s not just fashion’s elite that are embracing dominatrix style though with a whole host of high-street stores, from Topshop to Zara and & Other Stories, all offering their own range of laminated looks.
So, just how do you wear this trend without pulling a Pretty Woman?
The trick here is to transform the fabric from racy to refined by pairing it with contrasting fabrics .
Go classic and team a vinyl trench coat with denim, comfy trainers and a simple T-shirt or tone down the sex appeal of a PVC skirt with oversized chunky knits.
Trousers are of course an option too but a word of warning, they’re notoriously difficult to execute. If you do fancy giving them a go though, avoid skinny fits at all costs and opt for a straight or wide-cut leg to give them a more modern feel.
Alternatively, you can dip your toe into the trend with accessories like a patent handbag or a pair of sleek ankle boots.
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