Hard versus soft, masculine versus feminine. The two dichotomies represent the type of fall-back inspiration many designers often spout to describe collections that carry sharp tailoring and pretty dresses. If it ain't broke, why fix it? It's an inspiration that is explored time and again, quite simply because it sells well. It's also a look reliant on clever styling tricks and investing in just the right balance of the two moods.
By teaming pretty dresses with punkish accessories you're left with a failsafe look that amps up the cool factor on otherwise saccharine dresses and pretty pastels. And what's not to love about dressing with an edge? It's an opportunity to show two sides of your personality through colour, texture and detailing.
For his recent autumn 2017 collection for Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld created a collection that touched on democracy: 100 plus outfits that had something for everyone, including sweet fuchsia pink juxtaposed with rugged denim for a look that played on that same hard/soft idea.
And although it's a fabric associated more with the spring/summer season, several designers have played with the idea of lace tops and dresses - in winter weight and in more subdued tones that work well layered over slips, stockings and skivvies. It's an opportunity to work with a soft texture that contrasts surprisingly well with this season's myriad suede skirt offerings or a pair of jeans and a leather jacket.
