Ahhh, urban streetwear. Ever since the genius H&M Versace collaboration two seasons ago (which Jessie J was literally BORN FOR), Kate Moss appearing to do her best "Kaaaffffyyyy" from Eastenders impression on the supreme SS12 posters and Rihanna singing on WOSSY in head to toe East London street brand BOY London, urban streetwear brands and 90s hip-hop style have been slowly creeping back onto our fashion radar.
Now. I’m not suggesting you take a full on Salt-N-Pepa approach to the urban streewear trend; a boom-box on the shoulder is NOT imperative (though preferable, obvs). I’m talking girly urban street style – think Rita Ora and the original Hollaback girl Gwen Stefani: "THAT’S MY SHIT, THAT’S MY SHIT."
Top tip: Clash your street style up. Leopard + block colour + pastel + baroque + paisley… ALMOST anything goes.
Now, I have been a fan of a cheeky hi-top for a while now (especially if they’re covered in glittery sequins/or animal print). However, we’re now ready to stick two fingers up to this JOKE of a British summer with the guide to the key streetwear pieces to keep you looking slick (and, erm also *mum voice* warm and dry).
Mix them, match them, nod to the trend with a cheeky key piece or Jessie J the shit out of it and wear them all at once if you want. We’re starting an anti summer mother effing revolution. "FROM THE STREETZ".
Footwear
So the trainer fetish is growing BY THE DAY, but it has now evolved from the hi-top to *drum roll please* the low-top, the flatform plimsolls, the classic runners and the wedge trainers. You heard.
The House of Holland x Superga collaboration is nothing less than genius. Superga’s main range is pretty sick (sure, I use that word now, too) with gorgeous pastels and ditsy florals but the purple leopard prints and POLKA DOT FLATFORMS have quite frankly BLOWN MY TINY MIND.
Keep an eye also on Vans, for their new animal print package. Leopard and sneakers and skaters OH MY.
Lilac Superga polka dot flatform trainer, £70, House of Holland
Nike Air Max 90 08 trainers, £92, Asos.com
Sweatshirts
Anything that involves legitimately wearing lounge wear outside of the house gets my vote, and a great way to nod to the streetwear trend is with a retro branded, block coloured sweatshirt – or even better a vintage and TOTES ironic (ya ya ‘totes’) – 90s cartoon print one.
Shop in vintage stores like Beyond Retro – and menswear shops are an untapped resource. I’m currently rocking a Mickey-Mouse-wearing-Union-Jack-pants sweatshirt. From Primark menswear *does street pose* and THAT’S how I became the Prince(ss) of a Town called Bel Air (Shoreditch).
ARARIO vivid prints sweater, £39, Asos Marketplace
Vintage Customised Wolf Sweatshirt, £35, Urban Outfitters
Outerwear
BECAUSE WE NEED A FREAKING JACKET IN MID JUNE. APPARENTLY.
Varsity style is not only a must have shape for AW12 (you trend-setter, you) but also looks great slung over a summer dress (Lana Del Rey style), as well as over a head-to-toe leopard print catsuit (Jessie J style – uh-gain). JUST SAYIN’.
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London based brand Chateau Roux have some AWESOME pastel leather bomber jackets (a small men’s size is poifect if you’re dress size 10-ish), and the likes of River Island and Topshop are doing some great baroque bombers. And I may never have loved anything more than this WESC leopard print varsity jacket. SCCHHHHHWINNNNNG.
The Laika leopard print jacket, £34, WeSC
Scarf Print Bomber, now £20 (was £35), River Island
Headgear
If you can, don the snapback, or 5 panel cap (I can’t; I’m from Essex. I’ll never get a cheating footballer husband with that kind of behaviour).
If not, make it a beanie. Wear it oversized, throw in a bobble for good measure, plus a big dollop of red lippy and add a two finger salute to ‘rain-fringe’. TAKE THAT, CRAPPY WEATHER.
Oversized Bobble Hat, £8, Asos.com
Check out Le Blow for more down to earth fashion advice.
