Boohoo Suede Campaign Part 2

Suede, the material of the gods has blessed us with trend after trend, spanning from the dawn of time. The caveman used suede to protect them from the bitter winds that winter brought in and the French elite wore it as a mark of power, but it wasn’t until the 1950’s that suede was popularized for the masses. Suddenly suede jackets marched into the 70’s adorned with tassels and fringing that marked the ‘free-spirited’ boho aesthetic that was so popular among ‘hippies’ while the 60’s suede pinafores revolutionized the way we saw suede. But one trend took the world by storm and that was Mary Quant’s mini-skirt, which liberated women from patriarchal control and gave them freedom within artistic expression. Later versions of the 60’s hit classic saw the mini skirt fashioned from ‘suede’ and ‘suedette’ during the 70’s where hemlines dropped and retained a fringe or boho aesthetic as demonstrated in Boohoo Suede Campaign Part I and it wasn’t until the 2000’s that designers realized non-traditional suede hues such as pastels would be a winning move to keep suede modern and fresh. As a marketing ploy, designers had struck lucky and with the emergence of 2015’s Pantone two colours ‘Serenity’ and ‘Rose Quartz’ it became evident that pastel suede was to become a new, innovative and popular trend. 

As part of Boohoo’s Spring/Summer Suede Campaign ‘pastel suede’ was integrated into the collection effortlessly with ‘lavenders’, duck egg blue and pale blush suede mini’s creating a modern take on Quant’s revolutionary 60’s mini, but it was the Aalia Button Front Suedette Mini Skirt in Baby Blue that captured my attention. Synonymous with the image of ‘Serenity’ , the cool tranquil blue evokes ‘connection and wellbeing’ as well as creating a merger between ‘order’ and ‘peace’, a much needed asset in dealing with the turbulence of the modern world. As a species we are often drawn to lighter, more serene hues because it helps us feel calm, whereas acidic brights re-energize us and neutrals allow us to blend and camouflage into the background, so the introduction of serene pastels in Boohoo’s Suede S/S 16 campaign was a clever marketing ploy.  Featuring functional large button detail, the mini’s straight hemline is true to its 60’s namesake, while the a-line silhouette is light, fresh and flatters all body types. Contrary to a bodycon, an a-line silhouette is more comfortable and wearable for all occasions. Wear to the office by layering a neutral coloured waistcoat, to offset the pale blue hue or pair with contrasting heels and a slogan tee for a fresh update on the street style classic, whatever your preference the mini will be a superstar buy. From casual luxe to street style blogger, the mini comes in two other shades ‘blush’ and ‘lavender’ and is best worn with contrasting textures, shades and colours.

To compliment the baby blue shade I had chosen I paired a monochromatic slogan tee tucked into the mini, while a ‘moody floral’ 70’s navy sleeveless duster jacket, duck egg blue suedette pouch, 70’s cat eye rose quartz sunglasses and sky blue patent heels added flavour and definition to the mini skirt’s aesthetic. The contrasting prints- floral and slogan/grid- creates an exciting merger between feminine and gender neutral trends, while the inclusion of sunglasses adds to the street style ‘blogger aesthetic’. Bearing similarities to the mini skirt and slogan tee combo worn during the British Society for the Protection of Mini Skirts protest outside the House of Dior, the slogan ‘Noone Cares’ is ‘liberal’ forward thinking and absolutely connected to women rights liberation movements. Women fought for freedom for centuries and the ethos that ‘noone cared’ but the liberalists, was an ethos that was beginning to change. Fast forward 40 years and slogan t-shirts are worn not as a political statement but as a tongue in cheek parody of fashion and how its perceived through the eyes of the public. Quite often I am told that as a fashion blogger I must be ’emptyheaded’ uneducated and write for the freebies when the reality couldn’t be any different. Slogan t-shirts allow me to demonstrate how I do not care what others think because fashion is non-negotiable and is on my terms only so like it or lump it this is the way I like to dress and this is what I like to write about. Which is why the controversial mini skirt is such a great suede item to choose because even in 2016, the attitudes towards the way women dress is anarchic and dreadfully archaic. 

Whilst shooting the rather fabulous mini skirt I was tutted at and told that I looked ‘too promiscuous’ , that women shouldn’t dress inappropriately and catcalled by young and old men who believed my style choice gave them permission to be lewd and inappropriate. The point is no matter what you where, own it and wear it as though you are its queen because fashion should not be seen as controversial but freedom of expression and there is no greater freedom than standing out from the crowd. Its 2016 and we should not be told what we can and can’t wear so I will wear a short mini skirt if I please…

What are your thoughts on mini skirts?

*PR Sample A massive thank you to one of my favourite brands Boohoo who gifted me two beautiful suede skirts of my choice and have given me this once in a lifetime opportunity. Shop The Look: Skirt- Boohoo / Top- Ebay ( Find Similar HERE) / Heels- New Look  / Clutch- Dorothy Perkins / Sunglasses- Asos   Waistcoat- New Look ( Sold Out)