Circus came to town

A friend recently mentioned that often a lot of my outfits are of a “fashion clown”. It sounded somewhat foreign at first, unexpected maybe, but what was meant by it, really, was fun, funky and quirky… or at least this was how I interpreted it. I enjoy wearing a lot of prints. I really cannot resist a good colour-block garment. I, actually, also have a few colourful shoes in my wardrobe. She was right; I sometimes literally dress like a clown — and it didn’t take long to discover that I’m not the only one since fashion, too, has taken a pretty fun turn over the past few years. Although some people are happy sticking with total black (a no-fail colour choice that I frequently choose as well), we’ve seen all types of bright colours trending and right now, the motto seems to be the larger the sleeve the better, wide-leg trousers and littleneck details, such as oversize ties, bandanas and bow ties. Also, people no longer shy away from things like colour blocking or mixing prints; pairing purple with yellow is eye-catching and cool, adding braces and gingham with stripes is a winning combination.

The thing I like the most in my fashion is bringing the fun out and what could be more fun than a circus? Colourful cotton candy bundles, stuffed tigers, and models blending with stilt performers, balloon modelling artists and plate-spinning clowns. All of them grand components that trigger a ton of inspiration with their surrealistic designs, bold colours and wild prints. Many creative minds have been fascinated by the theme of the circus. In the year 1938, the famous and significant Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli fashioned a full collection influenced by the spectacular thematic that also presented an emblematic pink jacket with innovative buttons in the shape of aerialists. Clowns have been a reoccurring theme in fashion over the years and big labels like Dior, Moschino or Vivianne Westwood launched outstanding collections last year with the aforementioned concept in prominence.

"Dior's latest haute couture show was a dazzling celebration of all things cirque, from harlequins to ringmasters to clowns; acrobats to tattooed Victorian women; to the glittery, gaudy outfits designed for the ultimate pre-screen entertainment. Belgian designer Walter Van Beirendonck surprised with his eclectic collection mixing in a very creative way sportswear with fastened straps topped off tailored jackets and tight, bright leggings, finished with high-top trainers. In Vivienne Westwood-style outlandishness the designer flaunted feminine touches like baby pink and ruffles, peeking from beneath colour-clashing two-pieces and fuzzy outerwear.”

Not that I look any similar to these catwalks styles, but I did get some inspiration while creating this street style look. I am wearing an oversized denim jacket that plays beautifully with the colour block. I am wearing this with stripy high-waisted trousers in black and grey. A tad tight on the waist and wide in the legs with a preference in wearing them rolled-up. This matches the black tee and the blue shoes go perfectly with the colours of the denim outwear. A brief insight about these smart shoes is that they are handcrafted and painted, creating a brogue shoe effect with black details that you notice once you look closely and which definitely makes them one of my favourite pair for its design and its distinctive blue. The leather pouch is the almost necessary piece of accessory that completes the outfit, nonetheless, I have a feeling that not everyone would be in favour of that. Now, if you already have some of these pieces in your wardrobe then you better check the mirror! You, like me, might already be dressing like a fashion clown without even having realised it!