Published in Title Fashion Magazine
https://www.titlefashionmag.com/archives
Photograph by Sophie Cahill
Spring 2018 Issue
The year is 2015. Kanye West debuts ‘Yeezy Season One.’ In this collaboration with Adidas, he conveyed a simple, stripped-down style with ‘ready-to-wear’ sweaters costing up to $2,000. As the clothing line fizzled, his shoes sold out immediately, including the $950 ‘Transparent PVC Tubular Boots.’ These knee-high clear plastic shoes have been seen on all the Kardashian women, as well as other celebrities like Taylor Schilling.
This idea of plastic shoes harkens back to the ‘jellies’ of the 1980s which have also made a re-appearance and makes anyone over the age of 30 say ‘gag me with a spoon.’ However, the plastic shoes have given way to a copious amount of vinyl fabric- inspired clothing, shoes, and accessories that have packed the runway for Spring 2018.
Runway Spottings:
Spring 2018’s runway was chocked full of plastic materials including high-end designers like Chanel with their ready-to-wear collection showing off their ‘It’ Boot, another clear knee-high shoe, as well as plastic handbags, for that person who really wants everyone to show off their glitter lip-gloss. There are also clear plastic rain hats, for those are having great hair days.
Burberry, known for their classic outerwear, revealed a line of translucent outerwear in a multitude of typical spring colors. Highlighted is a full length “Soft-touch Plastic Single-breasted Coat” in their classic Burberry plaid, a beautiful coat offered for a total steal at $2,695. There is also a two-piece peach outfit that will have you looking pretty in pink with a silk lined plastic maxi skirt and a ‘Soft-touch’ plastic waist-length rain jacket; for those rainy days when you just
need to put your Burberry outfit on.
Since making a splash with her Fenty Beauty line in 2017, Rihanna has killed it again with her collaboration with Puma, ‘Fenty X Puma,’ showing off more of that plastic we love. This collection of distinctive sports designs like the blue and purple midi plastic raincoat that absolutely screams 1996. Seen multiple times throughout the group is a cropped translucent,
plastic raincoat that anyone who wants to flaunt a cute bralette would love.
Where can you find this?
Knowing this fabric dominated the runway, one would think that it would be all over the stores this is unquestionably correct. ASOS, the British based online store, always has great deals, and for $19.99 you can receive two-day shipping, for a year! As far as trends, they are definitely up to date. The ‘Clear Perspex Rhinestone Buckle Hip and Waist Belt’ could add that little bit of plastic and rhinestone spice, that we all need, to any outfit. The ‘Public Desire Alia Silver Metallic Clear Heeled Sandals’ look amazing but not super comfortable so they will be perfect for any important event you have coming up where you need to look right on trend. Just in time for that rainy festival season where you can’t figure out whether to look cute or stay dry, there is the ‘Jaded London Festival Transparent Jacket’ with a price that is a little steep at $87,
you will definitely remember not to lose it.
Dolls Kill opened up in 2011 and have brought fantastic goth, punk, and festival fashion ever since. A couple cool pun-based plastic pieces the brand carries, include the ‘Bubblegum Throw Shade Visor’ as well as the ‘Crystalline Pink Transparent High-Waisted Skirt,’ which as far as see-through clothes go, this above-the-knee bright pink zip-up skirt is definitely one for the bold buyer. Another plastic accessory by Dolls Kill is the ‘90’s Bag Babe’, a rainbow crossbody-box bag that is entirely unnecessary and perfect at the same time.
The year is 2018, and Urban Outfitters sold out of their jellies that they so eloquently named, ‘Juju Jelly Babe Sandals.’ It has been three years,
and this fabric that was first ridiculed for the fact you could see all the model’s feet sweat has exceeded the limits and made a pervasive mark on today’s fashions.
Maggy McDonel 