Checks, scarves, hats, tartan… Does that remind you of anything? The English dress codes and more precisely those of the former British sovereign Elisabeth II. Almost a year after his death on September 8, 2022, his sober looks, but also the charm of London, continue to inspire the fashion world.
Queen Elizabeth II, eternal muse
“A new four-handed capsule collection, this time inspired by the communicative and legendary style of the Queen of England,” reads the press release from the La Redoute brand. For Françoise Thetiot, the brand’s lead designer, it’s no coincidence that this British look is once again becoming trendy. “There was already a fundamental historical trend,” she explains to 20 minutes, because the queen has “marked her era with style”. This macrotrend has been instilled, among others, by the hit series The Crown on Netflix, her appearances on stamps, t-shirts, her portrait on Andy Warhol’s paintings… So many elements that make the former Queen of England a mainstream icon.
“I don’t think we are in for a big comeback of the English style. But it is clear that a lot of English brands are on the front of the stage”, confides to 20 minutes Antoine Tinel, marketing and communication director at Lifestyle Company.
This English influence coincides with the return of a more modest, classic and visually sober fashion. “We are heading towards a return to the essentials of fashion,” says Françoise Thetiot. Of the same opinion, Antoine Tinel, adds: “We experienced the confinement years when the outfits became very (too?) relaxed, even jogging. We are now at a dressier return. Barbour fits perfectly into this trend of understated chic. Just like Fred Perry or other brands. »
The English trend manages to settle in France
For the new collection of the Hindbag brand, Raphaëlle Protais, the artistic director, also drew her inspiration from London.
As she says to 20 minutes, this trend is essential for the start of the 2023 school year thanks to various players. Haute couture, where we notice collections of bags and clothes in tartan. As with Roberto Cavalli and his tartan pieces. The return of long coats, which heralds a slightly more retro fashion for this winter. But also more responsible consumption, thanks to young fashionistas who buy second-hand clothes and bring vintage English pieces up to date.
French brands revisit English pieces and fabrics
At Hindbag, the patterns are integrated into trendy accessories, so as to give a facelift to these very retro English designs. For this, Raphaëlle Protais was inspired by houndstooth fabrics, tartans, and vintage pieces from London in general. “The patterns are beautiful but often sad, we add bright colors for this collection”. The brand offers bucket hats, bananas and tartan jackets.
At La Redoute, the English trend has been reworked to fit more easily into French wardrobes and tastes. Their collection includes checks, velvet, trench coats, leather and cashmere sweaters. Simple associations, which refer to the very refined style of the queen. In the background of their shoot in collaboration with Roseanna, we notice horses, a little nod to the passion of Elizabeth II: horse riding.