The May Hitlist: This Month’s Top 9 Must-Haves
Double Leather (Double the Trouble)
As the colder weather starts to creep in and seasonal depression starts to rise, opt for something to make you feel fierce - double faux leather. It’s double denim but edgier. The best thing about this trend is that it goes with everything. Mesh tops,t-shirts, high heels or chunky boots. Whether you want to look like a Kardashian or like you just entered the Matrix (or both!) double leather lets you channel the badass energy you need to get through the day. And it lets people know that you’re not to be trifled with. Or whatever.
Puffer Vest (a new fantastic point of view)
Thanks to our favourite adventure trend, Gorpcore, puffer vests continue to be one of the most desirable garments at Glue Store. They’re the ideal seasonal piece to transition from the warm to cool months, and they will accompany you through winter as you discover a whole new world of layering. Pair a colourful vest with a solid colour underneath, or a black vest with a coloured top beneath to balance the look. Cargo pants are the go-to look on the streetwear scene, but equally baggy jeans or the like present alternatives that look just as good.
Loafers (I’ma take your grandpa’s style)
The ultimate grandad trend made cool, loafers are an easy way to nail smart-casual, impress your grandmother and be sartorially superior to your friends. For a classic look, pair loafers with crew socks and a preppy outfit. For a more laid-back look, channel the British Mod with loafers and straight-leg jeans or pants, bomber jackets and t-shirts. As a great alternative to boots, loafers can take you everywhere from work, to drinks, to parties and dinner. Don’t sleep on this trend. Often written off as a look of decades past, loafers have recently been criminally underutilised. After the somewhat maximalist chunky loafer trend that was everywhere last year, this year a more classic look is being embraced. Brown or black loafers will be with you for years to come, regardless of the trends that come and go.
Browns (For I have the warmth of the sun within)
Even in the Australian winter we stay clinging to any source of warmth; a heater, an oven baking cookies, or in this case a colour palette rich with warm, autumnal browns. If the thermostat is a point of contention in your house, browns in warm fabrications will be your saving grace. Whether you’re wearing a hoodie, long sleeve top, teddy jacket, leggings or fighting the elements in shorts, brown look good on everyone. Trending in both maximalist and minimalist outfits, brown has featured in some of the biggest TikTok trends this year. Both Cottagecore and Dark Academia draw heavily on the tonal colours that are found in the natural environment and gothic architecture, respectively. Not only this, but brown photographs better than black, meaning that your Instagram photos will pop with minimal editing effort on your part.
White Sneakers (We make a mean team, my Adidas and me)
Even though we have mostly moved on from the minimalist, normcore trend which first popularised the city-slicker look fresh white kicks allow, white sneakers are still a year-round staple. In fact, white sneakers go with anything, meaning that even the most maximal fits can be saved in the footwear department by classic white shoes. If your sneakers are looking a bit ratty from your summertime frolicking (over puddles) this winter is the time to refresh. From the Reebok Club C for a low-profile retro look, or the Japan S with a pop of colour on the stripes, there’s a silhouette to suit you. Or if you're looking to opt for a more sustainable option, Veja has some of the most coveted white colourways appearing in streetwear and celeb style right now.
Lavender & Lilac (Purple haze all in my brain)
Pantone’s colour of the year, “Periwinkle Blue”, which verges on the point between blue and purple signals the liminal space we’ve all been inhabiting these past few years. If you’re looking for more certainty in life, lavender and lilac provide a more definitive colour that is popping up on runways everywhere right now. As the seasonal tone, it doesn’t have to be a head-to-toe purple fit to turn heads. A purple hoodie is an easy way to stand out from the sea of black that dominates during winter. Known to be the colour of bohemians and artists, purple footwear or accessories such as Vans and a baseball cap allow you to add colour to your outfit every day to achieve a consistently avant-garde look. Ideal for colour-blocking and loved by streetwear fanatics, if your wardrobe is currently suffering from a lack of purple, it’s time to make a few choice purchases.
Cut-Outs (Bi*!h you better be joking)
The force is strong with Euphoria, which is why the cut-out trend prevails well into the cooler weather. But if you’re willing to risk it all for a look, you can still do so this season without contracting pneumonia. Cut-out dresses are a mainstay for the dress category, especially when paired with the right outfit. An oversized jacket or tall boots can ground a sexy bodycon dress and stave off a runny nose at the same time. The trick to mastering this trend is to find the ideal position where cut-outs will look best for you. Cut-outs around the clavicle and shoulders are universally flattering. Long sleeve tops with skin-baring detail present a less risqué, more versatile option that can be worn from daytime to nighttime.
Corduroy (Life is a corduroy road)
Corduroy? For winter? If it’s good enough for Henry the Eighth, it’s good enough for me. Renowned for its warmth and soft texture, corduroy can be the change you need for the colder weather. Making a resurgence every couple of decades (and for good reason) corduroy is a great way to inject warmth as well as a new way to style your existing wardrobe.
Reversible Jackets (When two become one)
Two jackets are better than one, and even better when the two are one. Reversible jackets allow you to look fresh all the time. Want to look like you went home and changed after the gym? Just turn that jacket inside out and you’ve got a whole new look. Born out of utilitarianism, reversible jackets serve a useful function. As the cost of living continues to rise, why not opt for the more economical option – a jacket, which is actually two is the gift that keeps on giving. If you’re looking for new outerwear this winter, opt for a style with Sherpa on the reverse to keep you cosy. Puffer jackets and spray jackets offer a more water-repellent finish which you can switch between two distinct colourways or patterns. Or if you’re looking for a jacket with historical significance, the Alpha Industries bomber jacket used by the US military in the 1940s is for you. Designed to be lightweight, and with a bright orange reverse to make pilots visible to rescue crews in the event of a crash, this is perhaps the OG reversible style with true utility.
