Surfwear is the new athleisure category to get on board with, according to Milan fashion week
Is there something in the water? Or at least, there will be next summer- as Milan takes a turn to the cowabunga with not one but three shows in quick succession referencing surf culture. Which is helpful, as three of anything officially makes it a trend. That’s just fashion fact.
Last night's Emporio Armani extravaganza (held in an airport hangar at Linate airport, complete with live performance from Robbie Williams), set the finely-toned, er, tone with Mr Armani opening his 170 look spectacular by sending out bare chested male models clutching branded (obviously) surfboards. Gratuitously enjoyable.
But, if paisley is more your thing, see Etro which also featured boards in its 50th anniversary show, having riffed off California surf culture and Hawaiian hibiscus florals for inspiration: cue crochet knit dresses, printed paisley towels worn as ponchos, flighty pleated smocks and shell necklaces and dangling earrings (complete with diamanté details).
Equally delightful were the judo-flavoured padded trench coats which billowed out seductively, printed silk pyjama sets and alongside zingy yellow and soft orange trouser suits. Chunky knitted pattern cardigans and jumpers had a bit of a Goodwill vibe - in the best way, they looked like those old favourite woollens you pull on after a day of salty, sandy action.
Meanwhile, Sportmax took its audience on a gap year of sorts - the only thing missing was a Jack Johnson soundtrack and Bob Marley poster.
But for all your rash vest requirements next summer look no further; here in fresh, colourful prints came surf inspired offerings perfect for the casual beachcomber in search of something a little more luxury.
There were nifty cycling shorts - and faux leather leggings - plus slightly crumpled bucket hats worn with cropped hooded jumpers and funky walking sandals; chic simply shaped silk dresses sculpted out of swirling patchworks of the blues of the sea and sky floated out towards the end offering a pretty after-sand solution.
Some models walked barefoot, their sandals strung jauntily around the waist; most also had an opinion dividing accessory of shell embellished anklets - which given that this show took inspiration from “Biarritz to Hawaii” at least felt accurate.
