Acid-wash jeans and puffy prom dresses have been sneaking into the high street, and it’s now time for one of the 80s’ biggest trends to make its return. Pull out the safety pins, rip your jeans, and get magical with some mesh. Punk is back!
Before you search for images of Sid and Nancy or old school Vivienne Westwood, take note of this season’s new take on punk. It’s altogether more discreet and glamorous. Even those of a nervous nature shouldn’t be afraid to experiment.
Givenchy’s 2009 autumn/winter collection plays with punk. It’s rebellious and experiments with sheer fabric and cut-out panels. Now the high street is toying with the same idea, so you can achieve the look for a fraction of the price.
If the ASOS leather jacket above is out of your price range, then New Look do a leather-look, biker-style bomber for £35.
Another trend, which you can put to use with the punk look, is wet look leggings. They create a brilliant sexy look that resembles the PVC and leather shine, as well as the skin-tight effect that echoes 80s punk. New Look has a pair for a purse-friendly £14, if you haven’t yet invested in the trend.
It is at Topshop, where their vast collection of t-shirts and vests come into use. A wide selection of their stock has taken note of punk’s return and made full use of it in their design. Perhaps most obviously with their slash lycra vest top. The black top has slashes from under the bust to the hips, and will take a daring wearer to pull it off, but it reflects the look on the Givenchy catwalk, for a cool £20. Those not quite willing to bare so much flesh can team it with a coloured or black vest underneath.
A great trend to go with is the graphic print tees that will be flooding the high street—favourites are the ‘YAWN!’ and ‘WHY?’ vests from Topshop, both at £18. Both give you effortless punk chic. It’s a cheap and easy way to buy into the trend, because you can easily just wear them with jeans, shorts, or skirts—preferably denim—to achieve the punk look.
Another gorgeous graphic t-shirt is River Island’ ‘Kiss Kiss NY tee’, at £20. The mix of black and white with colour is divine and gives the assumption of an old-school band tee, without having to fake support for a band you don’t actually like. For those who do love bands like Blondie, The Sex Pistols, and The Clash, why not search eBay and vintage stores for old merchandise?
And finally, don’t be afraid to make punk pretty. Topshop’s Fluro rose dress, at £40, has that hard edge that reminds you that this pretty rose has thorns. Team it with a blazer or biker jacket and splash of pillar box-red lipstick, and your most vicious killer heels and you’re good to go.