I use the word “cute” approximately 300 times a day. Pictures of dogs on Instagram? Cute! The bluebells that grow in the field I walk through every day? Cute! Harry Styles? Cute cute cute!
I’m clearly not the only one obsessed with cute, either. SS20 shows were awash with bright colours and excessive prints that once again infused fashion with a sense of fun and childlike joy. These clothes, and the high street iterations that have followed suit, are cute and childlike but they are not childish. Things that are described as cute are often saccharine and verging on being so much that they are ugly, but that is not the case here. Instead, clashing patterns and colours are cute and undeniably fun. It’s the grown-up version of trying on everything in your wardrobe at once and deciding that that is the outfit you want to wear to the shops; it’s attractive because it’s bold.
Richard Quinn sent his models down the runway in floral dresses with puffed sleeves, bows, and matching printed tights whilst Marc Jacobs took colour blocking to a whole new level with that suit worn by both Lady Gaga and Harry Styles amongst other looks that were just as colourful and playful. Alessandro Michele, too, used graphic colour-blocking that took his tailoring to new levels of glamour and opulence, whilst Max Mara’s Villanelle inspired pastel tailoring seamlessly blended masculine shapes with feminine colours in what was a refreshing change from their prominently beige SS19 collection. At Paco Rabanne, Julien Dossena packed the runway with graphic prints: stars, hearts, rainbows and psychedelic flowers were worn together with bright knee high socks or patterned boots – yes, every item in the collection would be a lot easier to wear as separates integrated into your own wardrobe, but where’s the fun in that?
Cute separates – lilac pussy bows, yellow suit trousers, a bodice with a giant heart across the chest – make outfits that are so fun that you feel like a walking sherbet stand or a giant lollipop. An outfit can never have too many colours and clashing patterns are not a bad thing. Things that were once ugly are ugly no more – they are daring and fun. I’ve curated a moodboard of all the images and clothes that I have come across recently that fit my cute criteria. Channel recent runway styles by wearing as many colours and patterns as you can at once, and don't forget statement socks!
PRODUCTS
Green Shirt - Short Sleeve Silk Button Up, £65, And Other Stories
Outfit pic - @poseandrepeat Instagram
Yellow Top - Floral Sequinned Knit Top, £19.99, Zara
Bag - Tommy Beaded Bag, £200, Staud
Heart Dress - Heart Repeat Tie Dress, £65, Lazy Oaf
Socks - In Bloom, £10, Lazy Oaf
Lilac Top - Lilac Bow Back Taffeta Top, £26, Topshop
Pink Jeans - High Rise Jeans in Light Pink, £65, And Other Stories
Pink Shirt - Pink Poplin Open Back Blouse, £25, Topshop
Green Shorts - Tweed Bermudas, £25.99, Zara
Lilac Crop - Floral Embroidered Crop Top, £15.99, Zara
Yellow Shoes - Galo Beauty Sand, 255 euro, About Arianne
Hat - Holiday Bucket in Peach Bloom, 119 Aus dollars, Lack Of Color
Sandals - Slip On Daisy Sandals, £30, Monki
Tights - Heart Repeat Tights, £18, Lazy Oaf
Culottes - Pink PU Culottes, £29, Topshop
Orange shoes and socks - Monki Instagram
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