April 2017 – The Style Intervention

Statement trousers make my high street hit-list every season; versatile, wearable and sophisticated, they can work their way through a sartorial checklist in seconds. This spring/summer season, we’ve seen fresh takes on traditional trouser shapes deployed into our favourite stores: frilled hem cigarette pants, oversized striped culottes and lace-up black trousers are just a few of this season’s signature styles.

An office-friendly wardrobe addition, a pair of striped black culottes offer an alternative to dated pinstripe suits, whilst trousers sporting sulty frill and lace details promise to reinvigorate your eveningwear selection. As a self-professed statement trouser addict, I’ve curated my personal collection of favourite new in trousers from the high street: 9 of the best spring/summer staples.

Boohoo Tall Wide Leg Side Panel Trousers

River Island Red Frill Hem Cropped Trousers

River Island Tropical Print Wide Leg Trousers

Topshop Lace Insert Crop Wide Leg Trousers

Topshop Mix Blossom Crop Wide Leg Trousers

(from l-r, top-bottom): Zara Pearl Studded Trousers, £29.99; Boohoo Wide Leg Side Panel Trousers, £15; River Island Frill Hem Cropped Trousers, £38; River Island Cream Tropical Print Trousers, £40; Warehouse Leaf Jacquard Culottes, £45; Topshop Lace Insert Culottes, £49; Topshop Mixed Blossom Cropped Trousers, £39; Mango Striped Cotton Trousers, £35.99; Mango Striped Culottes, £19.99.

My favourite new-season trouser style is, without question, frilled hem cigarette pants; I’ve seen options in River Island, New Look, Asos, Topshop and Zara, and they’re proving to be wildly popular. I’ve opted for a business-friendly pair in black, but I’m also considering investing in River Island’s gorgeous red pair. Which of these styles is your favourite? Let me know in the comments below!

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Embroidery catapulted back on to the catwalk a few seasons ago and it’s not looking to leave anytime soon; spotted again at the recent autumn/winter ’17 shows, embroidery has made a serious sartorial statement of late. One of the designer brands pioneering this trend is Gucci, and they’ve adorned versions of their Sylvie and Dionysus bags with beautiful embroidered embellishments. Oversized florals are juxtaposed against the boxy construction of the leather and the militant Parisian detail, whilst the beautiful blooms sport shades of succulent orange, lemon and fuchsia.

Whilst I love to lust over these beautiful Gucci creations, I can’t realistically afford to spend £2,350 for the medium-sized top-handle bag. Also, if I was going to consider investing in a designer bag, I’d likely consider choosing a more classic bag; investing in a piece which is more likely to transcend the seasons will help you to ensure a resell price at a later date. With my smaller budget in mind, I’ve been scouring the high street looking for dupes for the Sylvie bag – unsurprisingly, high street brands have snapped up this trend and you’ll find embroidered bags, shoes (I’m looking at you, M&S) and clothes in every store you visit. Here’s some of the best Gucci-inspired bags on the high street.

Accessorize Rose Bee Large Across Body Bag

(from l-r, top-bottom): Zara Embroidered Oval City Bag, £29.99; Accessorize Rose Bee Across Body Bag, £27; Zara Chain Detail Crossbody Bag, £79.99; V by Very Embroidered Stud Detail Winged Tote, £32; Mango Embroidered Studded Backpack, £39.99; New Look Pale Blue Floral Bag, £15.99.

As well as these beautiful embroidered floral bags, I’ve seen so many Gucci-inspired bags on the high street. Whether they’re championing the Dionysus-style buckle or the Parisian stripe straps, it definitely appears that this is the brand captivating the high street stores at the moment. I think I’ll definitely be investing in one of these bags soon – have you seen one on the high street which you think deserves to be on this list? Let me know in the comments below!

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