Blue Collar Workwear
I have been totally haunted by this silhouette from the Dior FW17 show these past few months. I am not usually sensitive to catwalk trends which tend to be too ephemeral for me but this shade of blue and the whole reinvention of the blue collar uniform were clearly too special for me not to try and find a way of replicating them, at a much more affordable end of the fashion spectrum bien sûr (considering one cannot even aspire to doing their shopping at Dior sadly).
So I have been browsing on line for hours to find a way to recreate this outfit ever since it caught my eyes last March. I won't pretend the high street has the same to offer. The fluidity, the washed out indigo blue tone are unfortunately pretty unique. But there are definitely ways to come close.
First, the colour of the season for Dior is BLUE. “Among all the colours, navy blue is the only one which can ever compete with black, it has all the same qualities,” wrote Christian Dior in The Little Dictionary of Fashion. Second, jacket and trousers have to have a utility feel to them: denim like (denims, derived from De Nîmes in France where this fabric first emerged, were originally worn by labourers because of their long lasting quality), large pockets, wide legs, military style, and of course the beret... Third, the whole unisex vibe that this uniform creates has to be softened with accessories: choker, black pointy toes, fishnets. And from this whole contradiction between the androgynous silhouette and the ultra feminine, even sexy, touches emerges indigo fashion perfection...
Now, if like me you are tempted, here is what I found online to help build this look.
1. Wide / Straight Leg Jeans
1. Max Jeans by Ba&sh 20% off, £144
2. Wide Leg Jeans by Maje, £79.50
3. Patchwork High Rise Flared Jeans by See by Chloé on The Outnet, £92.25
4. Mid Rise Denim Culottes by Zara, £29.99
2. Surplus Style Jacket
1. Denim Jacket by R Essentiel at La Redoute, £16.50
2. Wendy Cropped Jacket by Stella McCartney 70% off on My Theresa, £229
3. Embroidered Chambray Jacket by See by Chloé on The Outnet, £154
4. Scarlette Jacket by Maison Kitsuné 50% off, €160
3. Black Pointy Stilettos
1. Audrey Suede Kitten Heels Court by LK Bennett, £175
2. Contrast Mid Heel Shoes by Zara, £25.99
3. Cornel Suede Courts by Whistles, £140
4. It accessories
1. Beads Wool Beret by Mango, £12.99
2. Velvet Choker by ASOS, £5
3. 2-pack Fishnet Socks by H&M, £6.99
4. Sequin Stripes Snapshot Leather Camera Bag by Marc Jacobs, £400
This whole look by Zara certainly comes close to recreating a similar vibe to the Dior catwalk (note that it's also presented with a choker, a beret and pointy shoes - the Zara copycat striking again!) but it's not available in store or on line yet... I guess we will just have to be patient! Loving that jacket so much though...
