We all know that the Y2K trend isn’t going anywhere – , and are practically right now – but those in the know are looking even further back in the fashion annals for style inspiration. No, I’m not talking about the Eighties (thank goodness), but those halcyon days of pure, innocent childhood. Or, more specifically, the summers of our youths, filled with , sand castles, paddle pools, and blissfully little more.
Given recent world events and the increasingly stressful demands of modern life, it’s little wonder that is high on the agenda – sartorially speaking in particular. Fashion designers have been throwing it back to memories of ‘the good old days’ when formulating their collections: think back to ’s SS23 show, for example, that was inspired entirely by Jeremy Scott’s love of pool inflatables, or ’s joy-bringing – not to mention last year’s obsession with all things . More recently, we’ve also seen the revival of babydoll silhouettes, colourful , Mary-Janes, cutesy (Simone Rocha, of course) and bright – while the likes of Coach, Miu Miu, Fendi and Anya Hindmarch have taken us right back to our school days by covering their cult with kitsch charms, stickers and key-rings aplenty.
But the cult childhood item that’s got the fashion folks most in a flutter this season is even of a throwback: the humble jelly sandal. Yes, really – and like all good things, it’s all thanks to . The brand best-known for its aesthetic sent models down the runway .
