Paddling away, mermaid style

A NEW WAVY KIND OF SKINNY TROUSERS IS EMERGING FROM THE MERMAID-DRESS TREND. SO FAR, ONLY THE MOST STYLE-ADVENTUROUS HAVE GIVEN IT A GO. BUT BE PREPARED, AS WE FEEL THEY WILL BE THE NEXT BIG FASHION STROKE.

Mermaid dresses have been seen floating on the winter 12 catwalks of Givenchy and Burberry, sliding on the red carpet by the hand of Glen Close in her Zac Posen at The Oscars, and rocking at music festivals in rebellious bodies such as Jessie J’s in the last Brit Awards premier. Their magical cut creates its own sensual curves in the feminine body. These pieces are even able to transform little monsters into ladies, just like they did for Lady Gaga at the Mtv Emas last November, where she received a handful of awards in her gorgeously shiny, siren themed gown. The under the sea silhouette has never been so celebrity flattering.

But what about us, the common citizens of this planet Earth who are not invited to fancy parties? Well great news. There is a new, more casual way to get these seductive curves, and we call it the Mermaid Flares.

                             

                                           First spotted on Susie Bubble, at LFW 2011, image by Topshop tumblr.

Featured in the up coming Vogue Festival website, image by Vogue.com.uk

As a more wearable option, one that can be comfortably worn during a busy day out in London, this new shape of trousers is an underground-friendly version of the siren gown.  Being skinny trousers from the hips to all the way down to the ankles, they should not go against our already established perception of what a pair of trousers should look like. Yet, it’s their surprising ending at the bottom which messes with our comfort zone. Like a blossoming tulip, a gentle flare appears to change the ending of the story. It covers the top of the shoes, creating the illusion of a longer leg that keeps on going until it touches the ground.

They were first seen on Susie Bubble -Stylebubble.co.uk- one of the edgiest young fashion pioneers, who chose them to attend LFW last September 2011. They were Topshop’s black “Flared Ponte trousers”, yet it was not the elegant name the one that captured the most curious’ attention, but the sexy trumpet shape at the bottom.

But great fashion ideas always come from above. From above the catwalk that is. House of Holland presented the ultimate mermaid trousers during this last London Fashion Week, in a laid-back, bright stripy version.

   House of Holland W/12 collection at LFW, image by Style.com

Their colleague designer, Willow, also jumped on board the trend as we were delighted by their gorgeously fitting suits composed of a knitted blazer and matching mermaid shaped flares.

      Willow, A/W 12 collection at LFW, image by Style.com

The siren mood also got to Italy, as Etro featured its own elegant version of the flares. These were patterned with oversized motifs and had a playful scalloped finish at the bottom that gently rested over the high-heeled shoes.

    Etro, A/W 12 collection at Milan FW, image by Style.com

Designers are giving us all the right signs. Just because it is not loud and in our faces, it doesn’t mean it is not there. This new fit is a gentle twist to something that took a while to get used to.

So if still in need of an extra dose of inspiration, we can always look back in history. These funky flares were first materialised by one of the most iconic fashion design duos in the 80’s, ‘Body Map’.

Body Map, 1980’s, image by Dazeddigital.com

Bright jersey leggings that made their own personal statement, away from the power gym wear of the time. A different choice from the hoodie-and-warmers look, these trousers were reserved for those who dared. So it’s been done. So it works. Just like they confronted the Flash Dance-fashion thirty years ago, our new mermaid flares are doing it again, but this time, the battle is against the skinnies. So why not get the wisdom from the elders’ and encourage ourselves to dive into this fresh mermaids’ adventure.