DIAMOND-ARGYLE knit, a touch of plaid and cagoules all round, Lacoste presented the best of countryside chic with their AW18 coed collection. Juxtaposition binds the collection together, with a major conflict between fashions associated with opposite generations’ notable throughout the entirety. It is impossible to ignore the elderly aesthetic of the collection, as earthy tones and traditional materials look as they could be part of Grandma’s wardrobe, however, the garment types and styling choices radiate youth.
Unfashionable embroidery and ageing prints – that are synonymous with elderly clothing – adorn edgy garments that take inspiration from streetwear, blurring the perceptions of what is fashionable and what’s unfashionable. Obvious inspiration from the late ‘90s comes in the form of bucket hats and indigo jeans, followed shortly by tracksuits giving us flashbacks to the Lacoste tracksuits popular in the early ‘00s, resulting in an welcomed fusion of old and new.
The classic debate of style over substance has been explored throughout, as negative connotations of practical clothing commonly means a lack of fashionable aesthetic. But Lacoste amplified the practicality of the collection, using discreet paneling and dramatic silhouettes to make pockets and waterproof outerwear the feature. As a whole, the collection constantly challenges our perceptions of fashion, taking reference from continuing debates over age and practicality but whether it’s a relaxed walk in the country or a crazy weekend at Glastonbury, it seems Lacoste have got you covered.
by Todd Burns