November Top Picks.

This season for me so far has been characterised by a sudden sense of feeling more attuned to my personal style. I am finding inspiration in new colour palettes, textures, and silohuettes. Soft pinks, olive greens, mahogany browns- adore! Silks, chiffons, linens- love! Layering new items over one another, mismatching lengths and textures… its adding a whole new element of fun to the way I dress myself. I am indulging in far more fun elements of my dressing by adding moments of romance and theatricality. I feel confident with the way I am styling myself- it feels contemporary yet timeless, and in line with who i envisioned myself to be at this age.

The current trend cycle is also a massive contributing factor to a revived sense of enjoyment that i am finding in fashion. Things are feeling experimental and attitudes, more open minded! There is a celebration of the unconventional at a play in current trends, ‘ugly’ things are being reconsidered as cool. I am a particular fan of the way that unusual items are at a play in outfit compositions. Theatricality is encouraged and the experimentation with particular historical costumes are becoming more common.

So! This revery sees the beginning of my November 2022 Top Picks. Coming up in this post are some features of current trends in Fashion that I am a particular fan of, and believe are going to be surging in popularity over the coming seasons.

‘Ugly’ Shoes.

Miu Miu mules, Split toe shoes, and Moto boots (oh my!).

I am personally obsessed with the new trend of ‘ugly’ shoes- the type of shoes that could be worn by a librarian or a lovable manic pixie daydream queen from the 2010s. In fact, the revival of these footwear choices amply depicts the resurrection of 2010 trends.

These shoes can be considered ‘ugly’ in their clunkier silhouettes and their experimentation with textures, particularly on the soles.

The resurgence of quirky footwear can be seen to relate to the refocus of ‘Twee’ aesthetics from the 2010s. This style of shoes are the perfect accompaniment for what I am calling ‘Secretary Chic’. More than this, casting our mind back to the 2010s, moto boots and sneaker-heels are entirely reminiscent of the heeled trainers and knee-high Chuck Taylors that used to reign superior.

If you are interested in reading further into my analysis of such trends, take a look at my Trend Commentary.

The rising popularity of the Controversial Shoe epitomises the way we are currently, culturally viewing the binary of ‘ugly’ and ‘beautiful’ features.

I recently read that we are becoming bored and desensitised to seeing beauty online. Thus, it is a stronger statement (and more than likely, boosting engagement) to role play in costumes and outfits that were once considered ‘ugly’. The wearing of questionable footwear is one easy way of dabbling with this notion.

Bleached Brows.

Love them or hate them, it is a plain fact that Bleached Brows are the must-have accessory of 2022 into 2023.

Though they are definitely reminiscent of the past- Kate Moss and Madonna have been known to bleach their eyebrows prior to the trend.

W Magazine references Kevyn Aucoin, a celebrity endorsed MUA who famously bleached Moss’ brows- writing in his book: “A great way to change the look of the face, also by altering the brow, is to bleach them. A bleached brow will soften the expression… if you feel your brows are too low or too close to the eyes, bleaching them can open up the face.”

Succumbing to the trend, I too have bleached my brows… much to my parent’s dismay.

Personally, I am a big fan of this trend. While I acknowledge that it may not be a timeless look, and perhaps something that we cringe at when looking back, I like that it acts as an opposition to the eyebrow trends of previous years.

Soap brows, eyebrows of the ‘fleek’ era… bleached brows seem to swiftly present a middle finger to both. Not to mention it has minimised my makeup routine by a good 10 minutes. It makes any face seem striking and gives a high fashion edge to anyone who dares do it.

More than this, it pioneers for the unconventional and ‘uglier’ side of fashion. At the moment, I am a massive fan of the combination of Soft Feminine features (think ballet-core, soft pinks, and girlish symbols of bows and beads) paired with the bulshiness of things that are considered ‘alien’, ugly, and sometimes clumsy. Such features are seen in the mismatching of silhouettes, the aforementioned ugly shoes, the experimentation of clashing patterns and textures - as well as the tokened bleach brows.

Unconventional Accessories from Regency Core.

Mark my words: features of 17th to 18th century costume are going to be a trend that we can see become increasingly popularised in the coming year or so.

You can track this trend back to 2020 when Bridgeton first graced our screens and a certain romance became attached to Period costumes. However, I also illuminate how the manifestation of this trend can be seen at a parallel to the fixation of Soft Femininity on social media (where the female gaze is championed), Ballet-core which is increasingly incorporating theatricality and costume play into everyday style, and subversive styles which are looking to blend widespread dystopian fear with our nostalgia for the past, into fashion.

I am already becoming excited for the emergence of ‘Regency-core’ becoming apparent in particular styles today.

(If you aren’t already familiar with my obsession with Bloomers, check out my September Top Picks blog…)

Some details that are really stealing my attention are stockings, bonnets, pantaloons, lace gloves, and rouches on skirts.

I am excited to get my hands on my own type of bonnet and I am particularly adamant that these are going to be seen to breakthrough into the mainstream at some point as a manifestation of balacalavas - with a more feminine twist.

Take a look at some of my favourite Regency accessories here:

Layering Layering Layering.

Whether this is found in dresses / skirts over trousers, waistcoats over blouses, crochet sleeves over tops, or items of lingerie over the top of day-to-day garments… I am enjoying the element of experimental layering, especially as a way of dressing practically in the colder months.

My particular favourite type of layering is seen in the experimentation of silhouettes and textures. I am a big fan of the idea of petticoats and lace textures underneath tiered skirts, paired with woollen leg warmers, tights, or crochet pieces.

More than this, the incorporation of lace into everyday outfits perfectly epitomises my claims to the popularisation of Regency-core aesthetics. Lace gloves, lace leggings, lace socks… all items give a nod to add a sense of Romance and softly, delicate Feminine features that are showing themselves more and more in trends today.

Lingerie as Outerwear.

We have all seen the photos of Bella Hadid in her white briefs and platform Uggs (expert marketing there Uggs, round of applause). On from my discussion of elevated basics in my Trend Commentary, Lingerie can be seen as the latest trend for … outerwear.

This is discussed by @/izzipoopi (nice) makes comment on this trend on her TikTok, pointing out how Kendall Jenner has recently been seen to post an Instagram Story in black hosiers with black briefs over the top.

Where it can be seen in the staples of simple white briefs, boxer shorts, and bralets layered over tees, it is also observable as an extension of the Soft Feminine features i discuss where lacey and more delicate pieces are being worn.

While I am unsure if lacey pants can be acceptably worn as a substantial bottom layer, I do endorse wearing lacey bras over tees and maybe even tights on their own, with a cute top and some heels.

I like that the experimentation of tights right now perfectly brings in elements of the Regency Core I have professed to be such a fan of. Imagine: pastel pink tights with a perfectly matched camisole, a whole host of string pearls and costume jewellery, and a large fur coat to match… delicious.

Applique Flowers.

AYou have probably made a few conclusions throughout the reading of this essay: firstly, I am a sucker for theatrically romantic accessories. Secondly, I am not the most practical dresser…

So it makes a lot of sense that I would include the detailing of Applique Flowers in my November Top Picks list.

This 3D and textured detailing to clothes and accessories provides an element of fun to any outfit.

Applique flowers appear on some of my kitten heels, scarves, skirts, and handbags- making any everyday garment into something a little more indulgent.

A brand that can be seen to feature floral appliques heavily, is Fanci Club. Here, the dramatic use of lettuce hems, swooping silhouettes, chiffon and sheer materials, as well as applique flowers in a range of sizes, all account for an aesthetic that relies heavily on romantic themes.

Brand Spotlight: NASTYAMASHA.

A brand that is continually impressing me right now is Nastyamasha. Founded in 2020 by twin sisters Anastasia and Maria Vanuishina, Nastyamasha perfectly plays at the experimental soft feminine aesthetics that are catching my eye.

The experimentation with textures, layering, and theatrical features of asymmetric hemlines, applique flowers, and corseted details- creates an element of drama and whimsy to delicate, lingerie pieces of everyday wear.

SSense writes: ‘with an emphasis on wearability and ease of movement, the brand weaves together mesh textiles and crocheted knitwear to reimagine traditionally restrictive garments with its structured corsets, textured miniskirts, and strapless tops.

Youthful and provocative, Nastyamasha provides a refreshingly audacious take on contemporary womenswear’.