Recently I woke up from a bad dream filled with anxiety. The cause of my distress? I dreamed that I was trying to get into skinny jeans again. I loathe them almost as much as my other fashion bête noire: floral dresses.
Hence my determination to ignore the swirling reports that skinny jeans are making a comeback this year. Just when everyone forgot about them and started looking cool and relaxed in wide leg jeans and boyfriend jeans, the fashion industry decides to torment us again with these denim nasties.
Designers love to reinvent something old and call it new. So Prada and Miu Miu sent their models down the A/W24 catwalk, squeezed into the tightest skinny jeans. There were even sightings of…jeggings. Has everyone gone crazy?
Why do I like these jeans so much? For years it was a scourge in this country, with women everywhere, regardless of body shape, contorting into torturous fits that make thighs look huge and knees look like cabbages, while also creating awkward wedges and digging into the waist. It has taken stylists years of work to remove them from our psyche.
Joanne Hegarty Wears Shirt (Arket); skirt (Massimo Dutti); bag, (The Row) and shoes (Chanel)
While famous fans included Kate Moss, Katie Holmes and Alexa Chung, the harsh truth is that skinny jeans only look good on women with long, extremely slim legs. Period of time. If that’s not you, do yourself a favor and stick to the more forgiving high-waisted, wide-leg options. I will certainly do.
Speaking of looking good, here are some flattering trends I’m excited to try:
- First off, a big comeback for summer is the long, flowy pleated skirt, which looks so feminine with a blazer and ballet flats.
- Another welcome return to the fashion fold is the sloppy tote bag that you can sling over your shoulder. Carrying an overstuffed bag filled with spare heels, a bottle of wine to share with a friend, laptop, phone charger, wallet, keys and makeup essentials is nothing to be ashamed of – Jane Birkin was known for filling and using the iconic containers named after her. And this pragmatic approach has inspired spring’s new, larger bag shapes.
- The tactile softness of suede is a micro trend that is taking center stage, with a number of beautiful jackets and skirts to choose from on the high street. The long leather trench coat is a nice variation on the spring item.
- Bottega Veneta’s drop ring and earrings have whetted the appetite for chunky silver and gold jewelry.
Sarah Jessica Parker in the current London production of Plaza Suite
Dash and Carrie
And just like that…season three is about to start filming. Expect to see star Sarah Jessica Parker (pictured), who finishes treading the boards in the West End production of Plaza Suite next week, jumping back into her character Carrie with old friends Charlotte and Miranda. We can’t wait to see the outfits.
Up for grabs
I missed this bag last year. And I won’t make the same mistake again. Because believe me, a decent stylish raffia clutch with frame is hard to find.
All you need is tweed
Nothing looks more elegant for spring than a Parisian-inspired tweed jacket. With its metal buttons, this cropped khaki version from & Other Stories meets all requirements.