A Foreign Affair

By Sharmin Musca, Personal Stylist on August 18, 2015 in Other

When I’m on holiday I like to totally switch off, so I’m hard pressed to recall what day it is, let alone the date. It’s in this deep state of relaxation that I turned on my iPhone for the first time in ages only to discover I’m on deadline for this month’s Street Style column and I’m 17,000 kilometres away from the Eastern Beaches!

Hang on a minute; it’s not all bad. I am in fact in the Northern Hemisphere visiting Europe’s style capitals, where the fashion is a season ahead – it’s a great opportunity to get a taste of what is in store for us in Sydney when the weather warms up. With this in mind, read on to find out what they’re wearing from the fashion forward streets of London to the sophisticated avenues of Paris and beyond.

Along the banks of the Seine and throughout London’s lanes I was impressed to see so many fashionable women sporting flats, flats and more flats. In Paris, denim tunic dresses and loose, brightly coloured dresses were paired with trainers like tricked up Adidas Stan Smiths, Supras and New Balance kicks in a multitude of colours, as well as chunky, wooden-soled sandals and men’s style huaraches (woven Mexican sandals).

Interestingly, the trainer trend has moved beyond the sporty luxe look – monochrome and embellished sneakers are being worn with any outfit from quirky summer dresses to evening ensembles, offering comfort and style to those seen congregating on footpaths outside bars, enjoying the European heatwave. Visors too were not limited to the beach or tennis court, with the sun-safe accessory added to all manner of outfits.

With the Glastonbury Festival in full swing, so is the bohemian fashion trend – I saw flared jeans, plenty of fringing on tops and vests, and felt a real ’70s vibe that I’m looking forward to wearing in Bondi come summer.

European men continue to look suave, baring a generous amount of ankle in rolled up jeans and linens, and sporting slip-on plimsolls, sandals or slides as well as contrasting coloured belts. And despite the warmer weather, monochrome leather hi-tops were seen paired with jeans and floral summer shirts and tees by night.
On the streets of Europe I wore:

Name: Sharmin
Lives: Bondi
Occupation: Personal Stylist
Street Style 1: I’m wearing a dress from Topshop UK, Adidas’ Stan Smith embellished trainers, bracelet by Amber Sceats, visor by Helen Kaminski and Oroton necklace.
Street Style 2: I’m channeling the ‘70s vibe with a Zara top, Paige flared jeans from Selfridges UK, Alexander McQueen scarf worn as a belt, Chloe boots, Pared sunglasses, bracelet by Amber Sceats, and gold necklace (birthday gift).