Elizabeth and James has always been the younger, more casual little sister to The Row, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s luxury clothing line. Never was that truer than for spring 2012, where tops are slouchy and cut with dropped armholes, where cotton has the recognisable hippie splatter of tie-dye, and where shorts are cut short enough to reveal the pockets.
In fact the hippie feel is the overwriting theme here: beyond the died washes there’s those other typically flower-child elements like crochet, flares, and even daisy-print jeans. Instead of feeling like something straight out of the 70s, though, there’s an inkling that this is a revival of the ’90s revival of the ’70s. Because, let’s face it, revivals of revivals are where fashion has naturally progressed to.
It’s simple and runs off a formula of effortless summer staples, but Elizabeth and James’ spring collection has a freshness especially in its sorbet-pastel pieces.
You can view the full look book at the gallery above.
