Sports-luxe is a major trend, particularly for health-conscious Aussies. Rescu. has the top tips to get on board.
Blame it on Olympic fever.
Sleek sporty style has become the new It look, on the catwalk and beyond. So what are the key components of the look – and how can you look fashion-forward without seeming as if you’ve stumbled in from the gym?
The big silhouette is the racer-back, which shows off toned shoulders and backs. It’s gone from exclusively featuring on sports bras to being seen on Alexander Wang and Victoria Beckham dresses. Paired with a pencil skirt, it’s hot for winter.
There has also been a strong return to crop tops and stomach-showing – Rooney Mara’s sleek two-piece at a Girl With The Dragon Tattoo premiere was the epitome of the trend.
The devil’s in the details, too – long zips, buckles, laces and straps, all straight from gym class to the catwalk. The way to make these work? Buy a piece where they take centre stage, such as a strap-shoulder or a zipped top.
If that doesn’t appeal, the stars of the show may be exercise-inspired materials. Scuba-inspired gear, sweatshirt material, lycra and structured cotton have made appearances, as have more luxe materials made to look as if they’re fresh out of the pool.
This look is very editorial but can work in everyday life with clever accessorising. Always go for sleekness – either pick a sporty silhouette or a sporty material, not both.
The ‘in’ colours aren’t big, bold Olympic-type flag styles – they’re subtle, soft and luxurious, with pastels, metallics and even quiet patterns making appearances.
Wearing hair slicked back and a vibrant coral lip lifts the sport-luxe look into fashion heaven. Keep everything clean, healthy and streamlined, and you’ll be achingly on-trend.
Image: Miranda Kerr works sports-luxe on the catwalk.
Being environmentally friendly has increasingly been a trend of its own among fashion’s high-rollers.
Unfortunately Emma Watson’s collaboration with People Tree, the eco-friendly fashion line, flopped big time – but other designers are still keen to get on the green action.
Stella McCartney has made eco-friendly dresses and shoes for years, and Natalie Portman produces a vegan shoe line, of all things.
Now H&M has launched their eco-friendly evening gown line – after months of hype and celebrity showcases.
The dresses may seem familiar because they’ve been seen on the backs of some of Hollywood’s most prominently green women, from Amanda Seyfried to Michelle Williams to Ginnifer Goodwin.
However, H&M is charging more than usual for the splendidly eco-friendly gowns – they’re retailing for between $60 and $300. That’s quite a leap for the cut-price retailer, and might signal they’re testing the waters for more expensive stuff.
H&M already owns COS (Collection Of Style), the staple for working women in Europe who need clean, fashion-forward pieces at less-than-cheap prices, but apparently they’re wanting to move higher still, with an expensive branch called “& Other Stores”.
Demand for the new dresses, which are apparently made of organic cotton, hemp and recycled polyester, is pretty high, so we’ll see whether H&M’s new gamble pays off.
Will you be hunting online for some H&M evening glam?
Image: H&M eco-friendly evening gown line.
