How to wear tricky trends like pedal pushers and slingbacks — and which ones to avoid

From slingbacks to pedal pushers, Annmarie O’Connor offers her expert guide to navigating some of this year’s unlikely reemerging trends

Sat, 10 Aug, 2024 - 02:00

Annmarie O’Connor

When it comes to catwalk trends, there’s a thin line between the tricky and the downright terrible. Often, that’s half the fun. If fashion favours the brave, then those who dare, win — especially on social media.

But what about in real life? Can we get away with granny pants and a cardigan down at our local pub? Will fully fledged #balletcore fly at the Q2 marketing meeting?

Set your scruples aside and prepare for a hot take on the most divisive trends with tips on how to approach them and the ones to avoid.

Overstuffed bags

Carrying anything load-bearing is now tantamount to an act of self-harm and a no-go according to my physio. Picture: Julien de Rosa/AFP via Getty Images

After 15 years of dragging garment bags and industrial-sized steamers up elevators, down steps, on trains, through traffic, across the country and back again, my right shoulder and I are not on speaking terms — unless you count the occasional expletives when applying Deep Heat. Carrying anything load-bearing is now tantamount to an act of self-harm and a no-go according to my physio: no totes, no shoppers; no gargantuan suitcases.

With ‘overstuffed’ bags this season’s curious runway edict, I can’t help but think of character Tom Wambsgans’ ‘ludicrously capacious’ monologue (and viral meme) from the HBO hit series, Succession. “You could take it camping. You could slide it across the floor after a bank job.” You could also be robbed of your worldly belongings which are currently on show.

Assuming the kitchen sink is best left where it belongs, give this trend a miss or get a shopping trolley.

VERDICT: Avoid unless you’re comfortable with AC surgery.

Cowboy hats

When Beyoncé sat front row at Luar’s fall 2024 show, she nearly shut down New York Fashion Week. Not only was she in a Bushwick warehouse on a Monday night; she was wearing a Stetson. Not that this is anything new for the Texan (the apparel, that is) whose new country album, Renaissance Act II, has seen search results for cowboy hats rise exponentially.

While I can see the appeal of boots, bolo ties and fringed suede jackets (not necessarily together), the traditional 10-gallon hat feels like a line-dancing step too far. Granted, the disco ball beauty created by Etsy shop owner Abby Misbin for Queen Bey’s Renaissance tour announcement is a work of art but beyond celebrity fanfare, red-carpet appearances and festival season, I don’t see this working—at least not in my day-to-day or on my weirdly large noggin.

If this is your first rodeo, why not indulge in prairie-inspired broderie blouses and embroidered waistcoats, suede separates, and low-slung studded belts for that taste of the Wild West? If the hat still beckons, opt for a modified fedora style in suede.

VERDICT: Give a nod to Western-lite without the hat tip.

Slingbacks

Fashion is a cruel mistress: she giveth, and she taketh away. I finally found a shoe I can walk in only to find I can’t.

Despite the perfect one-inch kitten heel proportions and pointy toe, I’ve discovered that I not only have fallen arches but have a flat heel too. With nothing for the back strap to grip, each time I step forward, I am slung unceremoniously from the slingback. Combine the shoe’s delicate heel circumference with some steel grates on Patrick Street—et voila — instant faceplant.

Every time I wear a pair, I feel like I’m playing Call of Duty: constantly having to assess the inhospitable terrain ahead, so I don’t get killed. Much to my dismay, I must concede defeat.

Those who can wear them, Godspeed— just watch out for the cracks in the pavement. You’ll be soliciting passers-by to extract you while you slowly die inside.

VERDICT: Approach with caution.

Barely there

If the autumn/winter 24 catwalks are any indication, there’s yet another season of displaying our wares ahead. Picture: Albert Urso/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows

Sheer, naked, nude dressing: call it what you want. This trend is like the last person at a house party —you just can’t seem to shake them off. If the autumn/winter 24 catwalks are any indication, there’s yet another season of displaying our wares ahead.

Although part of me loves the theatre of the runway, the inescapable wearability factor will always trump aesthetics. Diaphanous sheaths worn over lingerie with embellished flats may look dreamy, but will they fly with the local gardaí when written up for indecent exposure?

If you still hanker for a game of peek-a-boo, try semi-opaque fabrics instead, which allude to the silhouette without being too overt. Layer a chiffon or tulle midi over a skirt that sits at or above the knees for a flash of flesh and finish with an oversized blazer for contrast and coverage.

VERDICT: Err on the side of modesty with a few modifications.

Pedal pushers

Maybe stick to a simple pair of trousers with a mid-calf kick flare and call it a day. Picture: John Nacion/Getty Images

Anyone familiar with the lore of tricky trends knows that if you can make it work, you’re in the club. Spoiler alert: very few if any do.

Enter the pedal pushers. As seen at Sandy Liang, and 3.1 Phillip Lim, these truncated trousers ostensibly reflect the whimsy of the `60s. Unlike Audrey Hepburn’s signature capris, the high street’s crop of tightly cropped pants ends abruptly at the kneecap, cutting inches off your height and making formerly iffy trends like Bermuda shorts look wearable.

There’s a margin of flexibility when offset with a broader hem of ribbons or feathers (as seen at Susan Fang and Chris Yates) —assuming the #softgirl aesthetic is to your taste.

Unless you’re a pro at balancing proportions, maybe stick to a simple pair of trousers with a mid-calf kick flare (Arket.com is your best bet) and call it a day.