The Brits have always had a reputation for experimenting with more eccentric and daring styles. From the birth of the punk movement and Queen Elizabeth's impressive pastel hat collection, the English are icons of memorable fashion choices.
Last Thursday kicked off London Fashion Week, showcasing exciting new collections from British designers like Belstaff, Burberry, and Emilia Wickstead. The runways were full of romantic and rebellious details from high lace collars, studded dresses, and embroidered bomber jackets.
If like me, you lack a high-fashion budget but dream of adding a bit of London flair to your Fall wardrobe, you can also find some amazing inspiration from English tabloids, films, and television shows. One of the most underrated and achievable styling sources I've discovered is the popular UK show "Skins".
"Skins" follows the lives of groups of troubled English teenagers and attracted criticism for the way it's story-lines dealt with serious issues, including mental illness, eating disorders, drug use, and same-sex relationships. Adding to the show's controversial reputation was the creator's decision to cast real-life teenagers in the cast rather than have high schoolers played by actors in their mid-twenties.
Along with the drama of the plot, the show's many bold fashion choices are also worthy of attention. Each "Skins" character wears clothes that reflect a particular sub-culture (punk, preppy, bohemian ect...); however, they always add in some kind of unexpected, clashing element that keeps it feeling fresh rather than cliché.
Since the show centers on struggling teens rather than glamorous socialites, the costume department made sure to stick to inexpensive basics mixed with various thrifted and vintage pieces to achieve an authentic English street style.
Here are a few ways to try-out the looks of some of the show's most notable icons.
1. Effy
Appearing in more episodes of the show than any other character, rebellious party-girl Effy Stonem certainly left a memorable impression on "Skins" viewers. Her edgy style mixes and matches grunge essentials and girly accessories. She often pairs combat boots, flannels and loose tanks with fishnet stockings, micro-minis and piles of long necklaces.
Effy's closet sticks mainly to a muted color palette of blacks and grays with the occasional unexpected pop of red or hot pink.
Effy Essentials: A perfectly fitted leather jacket, short skirts, lots of plaid, tall black combat boots.
Hair and Makeup: Effy mainly sticks to simple plaits and sleek ponytails for class. After school she amps up the volume by teasing out her soft waves and hitting the clubs. Effy's day makeup is fairly simple. She sticks to a nude face and lip with a small swipe of black liner and mascara. For night, she ups the glam by adding smokey grey eye shadow, light pink blush and the occasional hint of sparkle.
2. Michelle
Michelle is "Skins" original It-Girl and the object of affection of practically every male character featured on the show. She's incredibly outgoing and ambitious, but later revealed to be dealing with a number of insecurities about her relationship with Tony, the unofficial 'Leader' of their group.
Still, pulling off Michelle's style is all about projecting bold confidence. Michelle isn't afraid to command attention through bright colors and statement jewelry. She combines preppy polos and tank tops with distressed jean skirts. For a sporty touch when going out she usually adds on a zip up hoodie or a cargo jacket.
Michelle Essentials: anything yellow or magenta, layered tank tops,tennis skirts, lots of chunky jewelry
Hair and Makeup: Michelle's gorgeous curls are always impeccably styled into soft ringlets and kept in place with the help lots of mousse and hairspray. Her makeup look definitely has a strong 80s vibe. She's a big fan of heavy, statement eye-shadow, teal liner and matte lips.
3. Cassie
Cassie is one of "Skins" most complex, troubled characters. From the outside, she's shown as a bubbly, eccentric girl with a life-of-the-party reputation amongst her friends. However, Cassie also suffers from a number of mental issues such as depression and anorexia which she hides from everyone around her.
Cassie's style deliberately plays off of the whimsical, Manic Pixie Dream Girl image that she wants to present to the world. She appears mainly in long, flowy skirts, vintage shift dresses and delicate, embroidered blouses. Despite her mostly feminine aesthetic, Cassie often includes elements of menswear into her looks as well, adding a structured blazer or leather oxford shoe. She also is frequently shown sporting a gold wristwatch around her ankle. (A suggestion made by the character's actress: Hannah Murray!)
Color-wise, Cassie is a huge fan of soft pastels and creams during the day and switches to glittery gold and silver when she's getting dressed up for a night out.
Cassie Essentials: patterned midi skirts, vintage lace dresses, long cardigans, Mary-Janes.
Hair and Makeup: Cassie's basic hairstyle is wavy and disheveled. She almost always wears it down, sometimes adding a delicate barrette or small, messy bun. Her everyday makeup is fun and youthful. She typically goes for pastel blue and green eyeshadows and finishes off with a bright fuchsia lip.
If you consider yourself an Anglophile of style, "Skins" provides the perfect introduction to different kinds of British fashion. (Plus. all 7 seasons are available on both U.S. and UK Netflix. So, get streaming!)
