There is no greater measure of the versatility of a runway look than the street style circuit, where the fashion masterclass really begins. The likes of Karen Wazen B (in a Nour Hammour jacket) and Lana El Sahely (in a Maram jacket) have taken to wearing glossed up plastic and transparent key pieces with aplomb, teaming the look with classic leather or knitwear, while experimental Italian designer Gilda Ambrosio mixes hers with athleisure. Clearly, it’s the trend of style rebels.
Patent leather and its vegan cousin PVC are the unsurprising trend highlights for this season and the next – as seen at Lanvin, Calvin Klein, Saint Laurent, and Vanessa Seward Fall 2017. While the look for winter is geared towards high-gloss black PVC trousers, summer’s manifestation of the plastic trend is to go transparent or colored in candy-whipped hues.
Valentino Spring 2018. Indigital
On the Spring 2018 runways, the plastic trend was given a fresh twist. Cue transparent boots/coats/capes/hats at Chanel, while classic outerwear was given a future-proof spin at Valentino. The look returned to the runway at Calvin Klein in the form of ruched, high-waisted trousers and matching tops.
Fast forward to Chanel Spring 2018 collection where PVC hats, transparent boots, and capes punctuated the summer offering. Indigital
The style take-home? Don’t delete the look from your wardrobe, rather evolve the style to suit the season.
Whether you’re in chilly Kuwait City or balmy Dubai, Vogue Arabia uncovers three easy ways to wear the patent leather or PVC trend this winter.
New York Fashion Week. Photographed by Valentina Frugiuele
Ways To Wear: If a PVC pencil skirt works in late summer NYC then, yes, you can wear it in Dubai. Pair yours with an oversized cotton T-shirt, supersized sunglasses and evening flats.
Go-To Brands: Givenchy and J.W.Anderson.
New York Fashion Week. Photographed by Valentina Frugiuele
Ways to Wear: Bold-colored PVC trousers can be tamed and made to work for all weathers with textured layering. If the mercury is rising, go for a premium jersey T-shirt, or a slimline linen shirt. If the air is crisp, wear with a mohair cover-up and a silk camisole underneath.
Go-To Brands: Anthony Vaccarello and Mango.
Linda Tol at New York Fashion Week. Photographed by Valentina Frugiuele
Ways to Wear: If it’s too hot to wear a patent-leather trench coat but you still want to integrate the look into your wardrobe, layer a glossy bodice top over super-fine knitwear to cover up with an edge.
Go-To Brands: Louis Vuitton, Acne Studios, and Topshop Unique.
Which look are you most likely to copy/paste into your wardrobe? Let us know via Twitter @VogueArabia
