fashion lessons from yesteryear

Flares

Back then, you wore them with brand-free plimsolls and dimples in your cheeks. Charming, but very difficult for a grown-up with a job to pull off. If you own some flares now (and are never sure what to do with them), a good January look is wear them with a silky pussy-bow blouse tucked in and some ankle boots with a heel you can walk in. One-part throwback, two-parts In Charge for 2016.

Stylist’s choice: Struggling with baggy legs or trailing hems? Buy MIH’s Marrakesh jeans – they have the perfect proportion of fitted leg to flare.

1990s Britpopper

An excellent throwback look that works for now. Then, you wore it like Damon Albarn, with an elfin feather cut and Puma States. Now, the look has been given a reboot courtesy of the Chloé catwalk. So hunt down a retro tracksuit top and wear with a long, printed skirt, which you may well already own. From throwback to Catwalk in one wardrobe manoeuvre.

Stylist’s choice: This look needs that vintage element – visit Beyond Retro, which has a treasure trove of tracksuit styles.

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1980’s party girl

Lol. Look at you and your mates with the ageing make-up, diagonal-flapped tops, the perms and the red eye! Did you keep one of your lurex tops in your wardrobe for nostalgia? Good. Because now you can wear it with posh tracksuit bottoms and heels for a smart drinks look. JW Anderson has said you can. As has Lenora Rauch from Deutschland 83. #hautethrowback

Stylist’s choice: Take yourself off to H&M, which has nailed this look with this burnt orange blouse.

Victoriana ruffles

Giant throwback look, this one. But one that fashion people have been known to caption on social media as

Stylist’s choice: A cardigan will maximise your layering potential (over a shirt and a thin jumper = perfection) This J Crew version also has a great go-faster stripe.

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