If there's been one trend over the last few seasons that has been talked about, written about, blogged about, copied, pictured and loved it's that of the shoulder, so I hope this doesn't bore ya'll too much, I just felt compelled.
It makes no difference what you're wearing; a dress, a blouse, a blazer or even a simple tee, the bigger the shoulder, the better. Slightly pointed is risky but high fashion, embellished is the ultimate. You're no one without adding some width. Forget chicken fillets, it's all about shoulder pads. Ooo, I can see that on the next Balmain ad campaign!
I put up a little interview with Dean Sidaway not long ago (9th December), the one man band responsible for some of the finest 'shoulder jewellery' I've ever seen. The connoisseur of shoulders as it were. He's obsessed with them as much as the next person it seems. We all witnessed the relatively recent massive explosion of Balmain's shoulders. The models could barely fit side by side down the catwalk. But, nevertheless, celebs bought (or got sent) into the trend. Beyonce looked amaze in her white jacket didn't she?! Dolce and Gabbana also sent HUGE shoulders down their catwalk for autumn winter of this year, and Rihanna was the next star to emulate the trend. And with her, it's still going strong. She can't get enough. Her most recent outing on the Jonathan Ross show (god rest its soul) saw once again a eye-pokingly sharp shoulder. FAAB.
Let's not pretend though. Big shoulders have been around for a long time. One of the most memorable is, of course, Ms Joan Collins from her Dynasty years. It was a squeeze for her and Linda Evans to be on screen together - battle of the shoulder bulge! Forget Abba, 'so I say thank you for the shoulders' to the stylist.
Just look at Joan below, she looks like she means business. Is this why we love a shoulder? Because of the power it brings? I think it might be people! I'm having an epiphany. Am I too late?
Having a big shoulder instantly changes your posture. You can't slouch. You mean business - or at least you think you do. A sharp-structured shoulder adds a certain something to an outfit. Team a blazer with jeans and you've easily got a versatile but fierce day-to-night look. A dress with shoulder width will command attention and make you feel like a power-woman. But hang on! It's not just for the ladies. I seem to remember Brandon Flowers sporting a rather delicious feather detailed jacket. And wasn't it A Child of the Jago and Katie Eary who showed big shoulders on the runway? Let's join the bandwagon men!
Don't worry, I'm almost finished. The last thing to say is that inevitably it has trickled down to the high street and now we all have rather large shoulders at our finger tips - from Zara to Topshop and River Island men's to Topman. How brilliant! Personally I don't mind this trend staying around a little longer. It's not like nautical which, for me, is getting way to boring. Similarly check shirts for men. BORE OFF. Shoulders are certainly going nowhere this spring summer; the first two are from Balmains runway, the third is McQueen (Gaga's fav designer - another one who loves an oversized pad) and the last is Todd Lynn (uber-amaze).
So ladies and gents, love 'em or hate 'em, they're here to stay for a while longer. Don't hate. Buy in to them. If not for summer, then for 2030 when no doubt they'll come back once again!
Thank me later.