Generally speaking, not much good can come from going back the way.
People you thought were awesome when you were young are never awesome when you are grown up; clothes that looked cool in the 80's, look horrific worn now; hairstyles we thought made us look sexy in 1990, envariably make us looks a bit silly now. We all have a tendency to look at the past though the rose tinted glasses we all own.
It can be nice, of course, remembering things as being perfect, when in reality they probably weren't. In my head, I could replicate my 80's tight black jeans and stiletto boots combination right now and look amazing - but in truth I wouldn't. The jeans would be the wrong cut, the boots slightly 'off' and I would look like a stepped out of 1986.
So whilst I am a bit of a throwback, I like to do loosely inspired by versions of the looks which worked for me back in the 80's and 90's.
In 1989/1990, my life no longer revolved my hometown.
My best friend had moved to Glasgow and every weekend I spent at her flat. I had a new group of friends, leaving behind old boyfriends and old wounds and starting afresh. It was an exciting time. Pretty Hate Machine had not long been released and it changed my life.
Out went the old look, which spoke of heavy metal, and in came the industrial goth look. I had three main looks: 1/ tight, sheer top and leather trousers 2/ black combat trousers and a corset or 3/ vintage slip dress or nightgown and combat boots. Armed with one these outfits, I would hit the Cathouse of a Saturday night with my crew, stomping to Ministry and Nine Inch Nails.
Happy times of course, but I could never go back to looking like that exactly. However, I can be inspired by some of those elements. To get the tight, sheer tops I needed to wear with my leathers, I ended up with a collection of black swimsuits, which were perfect. Tight, with a range of sheer panels and cut outs details.
It was this memory that led me to finally take the plunge and buy a couple of Black Milk swimsuits. I will share those with you next week, but getting back to wearing swimsuits as bodysuits has led me to wonder about other brands doing cool swimwear, which I could integrate into my every day wardrobe.
We Are Handsome are becoming quite a well know brand now, with their amazing digital printed designs. We recieved an email recently about their new collection, The Vintage. It's what the label do best - beautiful prints extended across swimsuits, mini dresses, leggings and bikinis.
The only decision is which one to buy? I thinking the deer or bear swimsuits and dresses are the most beautiful.
We Are Handsome have of course realised that swimsuits can be worn as bodysuits too, and market them as such.
Which one do you like?
Queen Michelle
