HOW TO STYLE THIS SEASONS TWO HOTTEST TRENDS (FOR WORK)

Style Guide: The Bardot & The Drop Hem

It’s easy to fall in love with new season trends, to admire them on the catwalk and then obsess about them off, but to style them yourself can often be a tricky and somewhat daunting affair. I’ve tried and failed myself many a time. The trick, i’ve learnt, is embracing subtle tones of the hottest trends and choosing cuts and lengths that suit and flatter your own body shape. Two of this seasons hottest trends are of course the bardot sleeve and the fringed or open hem jean. Two sartorial queues enjoying a resurgence from the 70’s and two looks that you can’t help but want to embrace – right?

I’ve been hunting down the perfect version of both these trends for months now, but until now I’d not quite found the perfect duo, or if I have they’d been sold out in my size (you know who you are) and no matter how many refreshes on my browser I did, they just didn’t come back in stock. But thankfully for me, patience has paid off, as I’ve finally found the right garments for me, and not only that, I’ve scoured the market high & low which means I can help you too.

HOW TO STYLE THE BARDOT & DROP DOWN HEM FOR WORK 

The Bardot Sleeve

The bardot sleeve on first appearance could be mistaken for something that should belong in Sandy from Greece’s wardrobe, and yes she certainly rocked the off the shoulder look in her alter ego transformation, but the new season taken on the trend is slightly more forgiving and slightly more office appropriate. Introducing the bardot shirt, an off the shoulder take on the classic boyfriend shirt. In my opinion the easiest and most modest interpretation of the trend, and a style that takes this trend from beach time boho to office chic. I personally am sporting a strong British stripe version from Banana Republic (now sold out but this Mango one is super similar), but chambray (see COS), classic white (see Warehouse) and even a silk makes for the perfect office friendly version of this trend.

SHOP BARDOT

The Drop Hem

The drop hem is one of those Man-Repelling items, much like MOM jeans, that no matter how amazing I think it looks, my boyfriend is just bewildered by the prospect. Clearly that’s never deterred me before, and it won’t now … and so the drop hem is something I’ve embraced full hog this summer. But it’s not been without trial and error, firstly because jeans shopping is pure HELL regardless of the trend, and secondly because the perfect drop hem denim is still a little scarce right now. The original goal was these ASOS Kimmi jeans but the regular leg was clearly in high demand and I never managed to find my size despite the daily check-ins, I debated long and hard about these Hilfiger jeans & even these New Look ones, but in the end it was spontaneous ‘real life shopping’ (aka not online) that proved to be the most fruitful; I’ve invested in these Whistles jeans (more fringe to be honest) and then more recently these drop hem jeans which ticked all my boxes.

Once you’ve found the perfect jeans (good luck my friends), it’s all about the styling to make them work appropriate. And for me, the easiest style trick in the book for rocking denim in the office is to add heels; Stilettos or a chic heeled sandal can transform denim and make it immediately feel office worthy. I personally am wearing out my last season Zara black lace sandals, which I always find dress up any trouser, but I’ve just ordered these & these which should hopefully help add a little variety to my shoe collection, but a mule, ballet flat or loafer can also look impeccable.

SHOP DROP HEM

And there you have it, my take on the bardot and drop hem trends that are currently dominating the high street right now. And whilst some takes on the trend feel very casual and bohemian, there are definitely ways to make these trends work for an office look as well as a day time or evening occasion, it’s all about finding the right tailoring, adding the right accessories and opting for quality and classic takes on the look.

Are you a fan of these two trends and given them a whirl yet? Is this the sort of look you would try out for a summers day in the office?