Unless you’ve been sleeping under some kind of rock it can’t have escaped your notice that shoulders are BACK in a big way. Shoulder pads, boxy styles, puffed shoulders and embellishment have been everywhere. On the catwalk Balmain, Marc Jacobs and Max Azria among others showed the look on the Catwalks and celebs such as Victoria Beckham and Gwyneth Paltrow have been snapped wearing the look.
It seems that shoulders are in, and the look seems set to hang around for a while yet.
So here’s my take on how to make it work for you, whatever the occasion.
Work
For work keep it sleek. I love this Oasis jacket (£65), and it’s kind of similar to a Warehouse one I bought in the sale. Team it with black courts (£60 Faith), a pencil skirt (£12.99 Retro Chick) and a black vest top for a simple, smart, yet on trend look for the office. I think with the purple skirt the purple ribbon on this La Jewellery necklace (£33 Adili.com)really brings the look together.
Rest
For shopping, casual days drinking Pimms by the river (the summer IS coming!) and other day to day events toughen up a pretty floral frock (£48 Oasis) with a boxy boyfriend blazer (£55, Topshop) with shoulder pads. Comfy gladiator sandals (£25 New Look) seem to be de rigeur for summer (though myself I don’t often do ankle straps as I have short legs) and in this outfit I’ve picked up on the turquoisey blue in the dress and jacket with some RayBan style sunglasses (£16 Topshop)
Play
For an evening out with a bit more glamour you can always wear the jacket from the work outfit over your party frock, but I fancy an evening dress with it’s own structured shoulders. This vintage 80s fishtail dress (£24.99 Retro Chick) is sleeveless with shoulder pads that extend past the shoulders and balance out the fishtail skirt. Belt it in and team it with an over sized clutch, edgy peep toe shoe boots and a statement bracelet for quirky evening glamour.
I love your 80s fishtail dress – and those patent peep-toe boots are fierce! And of course the added benefit is you know no one else would be wearing the same thing!
Absolutely. When a dramatic trend like structured shoulders comes along the last thing you want is to be at an event with someone in the exact same outfit!
I’m still feeling kind of iffy about this trend! I often have to go up a size in tops just to accommodate my broad shoulders, and emphasizing them even more just doesn’t sit well with me.
I know what you mean, but I think it can be an advantage. A lot of things are made with roomier shoulders so you might not have to go up a size, and if you’re self concious often the shoulder pads just come out, so the look isn’t so extreme!
I quite like it. I wasn’t sure at first, but I think it can look really good, and it makes a change from back, legs or cleavage being the focus every season!
Great post, Gemma! x
i like that pretty floral frock from oasis and that evening dress with fishtails is gorgeous.
xoxo,
http://twothousandthings.blogspot.com
I’m loving this fishtail dress as well. I was very apprehensive about the big shoulders thing just because I was around for the first wave! But big shoulder actually work for me – I have a pear shape so I look more balanced.
[...] Retro Chick shares 3 ways to wear structured shoulders. [...]
Brilliant! Good work. Adding to my favourites!
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