Originally written for Liberty Belle (August 2014), read it here.
The 90s revival is pretty much my favourite fashion thing that’s happening at the moment. Given that I -along with most of the Liberty Belle team- was too young to really appreciate the finer points of 90s style, I love that the opportunity to dress like Cher Horowitz or Sabrina Spellman has come back around again.
However, there is a trend linked with this revival that is much closer to what I can actually remember from my hazy early childhood years: cartoons.
Cartoon inspired clothing is almost everywhere you look on the high street this summer. From outrageously bright Disney printed leggings that sit just the right side of garish to dreamy Care Bear motifs, the chances are any cartoon you could possibly think of will be dangling from a clothes rail somewhere.
If you really want to embrace this kooky trend, the designs you should be looking for are a bit more interesting than the standard motif t-shirt.
Primark has the super bright, verging on the obnoxious corner of the market covered in its all-over printed leggings and sweatshirts. In a quick browse the other day I came across the Little Mermaid, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and basically any Disney character you want emblazoned across a range of jumpers. If however you’d like to be a bit more subtle and, let’s face it, a bit more girly in your childhood cartoon nostalgia, try looking for My Little Pony and Powerpuff Girls printed pieces in faded, pale colours.
This style is definitely geared to those with a sense of humour, and Lazy Oaf’s Garfield inspired collection is perfect. Think outside the usual realm of childhood favourites with their Garfield-printed socks, crop tops and swimsuits. Mickey and Minnie Mouse prints might seem like the most obvious and therefore most boring prints for this style, but the pieces involving this pair are refreshingly unusual. Find jumpers with motifs appearing on elbows instead of chests and dresses covered in hundreds of Mickey’s disembodied arms at ASOS.
Of course, if you’re not really the nostalgia type you can always give a subtle nod to the trend instead with some spotty Minnie inspired nail stickers, or even pick up something from the MAC x Marge Simpson collection.
However you want to play it, Cartoon style is a must have this summer.
