The idea of wearing a historic style of interior decor sounds a little odd, doesn't it? After all, Victoriana is something we all associate with lace doilies and porcelain artifacts, not cutting-edge high fashion.
That said, there's something distinctly Victorian going on at the moment. Lace, high-neck shirts and enough black to have kept Queen Victoria herself in frocks for a year - it's all been strolling down the catwalks in recent months. It would seem the late nineteenth century has never looked so fresh.
While one could (or would) never advocate going the whole hog with this trend and wearing a full-length black gown with a petticoat underneath, there are some things from this era that work remarkably well with modern fashion. Lace, for one, is going to be incredibly popular this winter, especially if you wear it as part of a simple outfit. And while they might sound a little old-fashioned, soft Victorian-influenced frocks actually look quite nifty when worn with a pair of modern high heels and a sharp, well-fitting blazer. For those fashionistas who are feeling particularly brave, those little Victorian-style lace up ankle boots also look quite trendy at the moment.
For more ideas, have a look at our three outfits below.
If you fancy having a go at wearing Victoriana fashion, it's best not to take the trend too literally. After all, Queen Victoria might have looked quite stylish in her day, but those frocks just wouldn't cut it on the catwalks now. However, this pretty little dress from All Saints (£145) nods to the Victorian trend in all the right ways. Create a chic outfit by pairing it with these long leather boots from L K Bennett (£229) and this ever-so-trendy satchel-style mini-bag , also from All Saints (£70).
All Saints: 0141 248 6437/ 0141 285 7970; L K Bennett: 0131 226 3370/0141 221 5500.
With a beautiful Victoriana-style frock firmly within your sights, it's time to get a little creative when it comes to this trend. Taking the same All Saints cream silk dress, try pairing it with this beautiful Paisley-pattern scarf from Zara (£29). The large size and intricate print of this scarf makes it an ideal contrast to the overtly pretty style of the dress. Finish off the casual daytime look with this large brown leather bag from L K Bennett (£269) - perfect for an afternoon around town.
Zara: 0141 781 4040/ 0141 227 4770/ 0131 240 3230; L K Bennett: 0131 226 3370/ 0141 221 5500.
Of course, Victorian styles definitely work for evening-wear - one only has to think about all that lace and silk to realise how glamorous ladies were back in the nineteenth century. With that in mind, take the same All Saints cream silk dress and pair it with this beautiful L K Bennett black silk ruched cardigan (£199). The cardigan is a great buy for this autumn season as it will work with plenty of other trends and is a great substitute for an evening jacket. Finish off the look with these matching black satin shoes , also from L K Bennett (£139).
L K Bennett: 0131 226 3370/0141 221 5500.
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