Style is Forever

Last week I realised there are some things that will never go out of style.

Smack bang in the middle of Melbourne’s Spring Fashion Week, and precisely in the middle of Melbourne’s GPO Fashion at Altitude Parade, I realised that there are certain items of clothing, or certain outfits, that will always ooze style. It was upon witnessing a Leona Edmiston frock, an Akira maxi dress and, for the men, an Arthur Galan suit that I became fully aware of that old saying ‘fashion comes and goes, but style is forever’.

Last week Melbourne was a flurry of colours and textures – with oranges, corals and purples proving to be the hot colours for the upcoming season – and with popular pinks, reds, muted greens and classic blacks and whites not far behind. And there were two distinct looks that kept popping up during every designer series parade – overtly feminine and ‘80s rock chic. Designers such as Leopold, Obus, Nicola Finetti and Nevenka proved brilliant at flirty, feminine styles, whilst Antipodium, Arnsdorf and Alpha 60 brought out some serious rock chic with an ‘80s twist – big shoulders and denim vests.

For men, skinny pants still seem to reign supreme, but tailored, fitted suits are the big ticket items, teamed with vests and skinny ties, and it was Jack London, Arthur Galan and Wayne Cooper that did these best. There is a ‘60s mod fit to some of the men’s looks, but all are still classic and timeless, yet very on trend.

What I loved most about Spring Fashion Week was the elegant simplicity surrounding the collections. In previous years we’ve seen an overload of colour and swirls; this year it seems to be all about block colours and basic patterns. Where we have once seen too much hair, make-up and clothing layers, this year it’s all about one item of clothing and fresh make-up. It’s simple, but effective. Basic, but stylish. Even the strong ‘80s influence coming through is softer. It’s not big hair and blue eye shadow teamed with too much – it’s less harsh and much spunkier.

Overdone is one word that will certainly not be in fashion this spring and summer. And it will never, and never has it been, in style.