I don’t think that reporting on trends is particularly interesting. By the time a trend is perceptible at eye level - in that it is present in shops and on Pinterests and in viral marketing - the interesting part has already happened. The design choices that put into motion the series of events that would result in any given garment or garments having a seemingly ‘organic’ moment happened years ago, this is just the cycle reaching its inevitable conclusion.
That said, I want to talk about chartreuse, because I love it, and I feel like I’ve been waiting for its moment in the spotlight for quite some time. Winter 2024 appears to be that time.
She isn’t brat. She is an entirely different phenomenon. Somewhere between an abrasive yellow and a difficult green, she isn’t supposed to be for everyone. What I like about this shade is that it manages to both be gross (there is just something ‘yuck’ about it), as well as luxurious. Festive almost. I especially like the micro-trend at the moment of pairing it with a deep burgundy, as if you were a Christmassy stuffed olive.
I think the best thing about chartreuse is that you really, really cannot wear it by accident. It requires a lot of intentionality. You can’t just throw an outfit together (though if you were to, navy or cobalt blue, the aforementioned burgundy and grey would be logical starting points in terms of wearable combinations). She’s sort of an unhinged attention-seeker of a colour, and for whatever reason that user unfriendliness appeals to me at the moment. Or perhaps I’m just temporarily sick of primary colours.
Here are the secondhand pieces I’m currently browsing in chartreuse and her affiliated shades. The overtly cute items like the collated cardigan and blanket stitch pea coat particularly appeal, as they feel nicely at odds with the vibrancy of the colour.
This satin cowl-neck top, which screams ‘jeans and a nice top’, in the best way possible.
This M&S crew neck jumper.
This classic cardi.
This classic cardi with an (adorable) collar.
This adorable wool bag/pouch situation.
This blanket stitch pea coat.
This heavy cardigan with super interesting stitching.
This quite possibly perfect Arket beanie.
where are those olive earrings from!!?