Let's Talk About Maximalism!

Let's talk about Maximalism!

I am as much an advocate for jeans and a tee as the next girl, but at some point, our beloved staples - our white button downs, our black slip dresses, and our denim pieces - need a revival. Sex appeal is great, but have you heard of colours, prints, and bright, shiny things?

In a way that many of us would hate to admit, the 80s are having a revival - except this time, they're going by ‘maximalism’. The movement started almost slowly, with Dolce and Gabbana’s fruit salad motifs all the way back in 2012, before Gucci’s sudden and breathtaking transformation into fashion’s latest must-have maximalist label, with their borderline weird aesthetic. Now we have Jeremy Scott’s punk rebellious nonsense, Romance Was Born’s outrageously detailed pop pieces and Leandra Medine’s debut into the designing sphere with her over-the-top label, MR by Man Repeller.

The thing about maximalism is that it’s a typical knee jerk reaction to a healthy decade of minimalism. We’ve bandied around phrases like “pared-back” and “understated” but eventually, fashion will go the other way.

So how to get that over the top, thrown together look, without looking like you raided your grandmother’s dress up box?

A great start is to reconsider the definition of a “neutral” - in fact, a neutral these days can be anything from stripes, to leopard print, to metallics. Once you get comfortable pairing these with other, more out-there prints, textures and shapes, you’ll find it’s easy to strike a harmonious chord.
    When it comes to statement accessories, forget the mantra of letting one stand-out addition have the spotlight. Let multiple pieces share the moment - think oversized gold hoop earrings with glittering shoes and a novelty clutch.

    Overall, trust your gut. You’ll know if it feels right when you put something on in the mirror and think yes!

As with many trends, it may be that in thirty years time we look back and think, “Oh God, I cannot believe that was a thing!” But for now, throw caution to the wind, buy some prints, and let your grandmother’s dress up box reign again.