2012 Trend: 20s Dresses
Thanks to the likes of Gucci and Robert Cavalli there is something of a 20s revival happening next season. Expect to see both the high street and online flooded with delicately embellished flapper dresses and drop waists, as a throwback to a bygone era.
Why the 20s is anyone’s guess, but the opulence is a great antidote to the current economic slump. For many designers modernist, fashion forward thinking has definitely given way to nostalgia. But some designers have put a modern twist on an old style, with the dropped waist being created with more structured fabrics, such as leather.
The 20s isn’t the only decade to inspire present collections. This season there has been a rivalry between the 40s and 70s, with a huge selection of midi dresses and pussy-bow blouses on offer. Not to mention faux fur coats and tan leather, giving way to a much more ladylike vibe.
But back to next season… if the 20s isn’t for you, the alternative for retro dressing is the 50s. Look to Prada for inspiration on this one and have fun with retro cartoon prints on pencil skirts and boxy jackets. Or go for it with retro shapes, including glamorous 50s inspired swimsuits.
Whether you love the 20s or 50s, the era you choose will be as much down to your body shape as anything. Flapper dresses are hard to pull off and the dropped waist is best to be avoided by all but the slim. But curvy girls don’t be disheartened as you’re by far the only ones who can pull off the 50s silhouette!
If you want to buy into the 20s vibe without opting for retro shapes, go for floaty mini dresses in black or cream decorated with gold or silver sequins, in art deco inspired patterns. Fringing was also a big trend for the decade so incorporate this on modern styles for a 20s inspired look. If it’s the 50s you’re going for, on-trend colours include pastel shades of bubble-gum pink, baby blue, pale yellow and lilac.