Trend Report: Strong Shoulders Take a Stand

RESORT 2020 TREND REPORT: FROM THE RUNWAYS OF SPRING 2019…

Resort, cruise, holiday… a season in fashion seemingly meant for a relaxing walk on the beach or a refreshing dip in the pool. Resort 2020 will surely be refreshing… but in a much needed, female empowerment, we are the bosses of the world type of way. And shoulders just might be the defining feature. Countless brands showcased the strong shoulder feature in their collections. Whether it’s an homage to the 1980s working woman, or an encouragement to the 2020s lady boss, inspiration for equality and (in many ways) androgyny shined through countless brands’ takes on what Resort 2020 means this year.

Let’s start with a predictable player in the shoulder game… Balenciaga.

The always geometric, often ‘oversized’, and not specifically feminine brand showed their fair share of shoulders in their Resort 2020 collection. As if a bright red, shin-length overcoat wasn’t statement enough, the extra fabric to create the strong shoulder only bolstered the powerful look. The navy on (slightly different) navy suit was another signature shoulder look. Unlike the often referred to 80s shoulder, this look didn’t send us back to the 80s at all… rather far, far into the chic and minimal future.

Moving on to Chanel. Chanel never fails to combine an overwhelmingly feminine nature with a bit of structure. This season was no exception. Classic structured tweed, multilayer collars and lapels, and shoulder pads to edge-up the once feminine purple piece, each took the strong shoulder trend and made it uniquely Chanel. The dark tan ensemble- with horizontal pocket details to parallel the structured upper arm- even included a dainty chained bow to (quite literally) tie together Chanel’s structure meets soft.

The Prada girls do, in fact, look like they are on holiday in this resort collection. As expected from Prada, the shoulder was not only used classically, but with a variation too. One of the most prominent shoulder looks in the collection was sported by Kaia Gerber- a pin striped button up and some striped short shorts were paired with a padded, plaid blazer. This jacket’s masculinity juxtaposes the crafty scarf made of

reflective black discs. Another look- with a white reflective-disc scarf, took the shoulders in a different direction. The sweater vest – gaucho ensemble also showcased a nice shoulder. This time, sans the geometric 90 degree angle, but a wide V-neck flopping over the arm to create a much needed soft power shoulder instead.

Last but surely not least, Off-White also took part in the Resort 2020 strong shoulder trend. Off-White’s show started off with a (not off- , but) very-white suit. Its shoulders jutting out for one of the season’s most stark 90 degree moments. To accentuate the geometry even further was a single red pinstripe perpendicular to the horizontal shoulder. Similarly, the shoulders of the green suit set were amplified with the single white pin down the length of the arm as well. Like Prada, a slightly-sloped shoulder made its way to Off-White’s collection too. In another look, a white dip-dyed and dusted with pink pullover displayed a quite masculine vertical collar to compliment the bright pink details. Even with the collection’s distinct structure, Off-White’s Resort 2020 looks maintained the vacay-scuba-suit mentality throughout.

Resort 2020 was a time of both reminiscence and a huge launch forward. Shoulders have always been a way for women to assert themselves. When women first started taking roles in the workforce, pant suits with tough shoulders and blazers with added pads gave women the boost of confidence- the structure and assertiveness needed- to make it with the boys. Since then, suits and other silhouettes with strong shoulders have remained a way to give females a more masculine shape, working to chip away at the dainty and weak stereotype many women are plagued with. Shoulders are not simply style preference, but a social and political statement.

With the women’s march just a few weeks prior, and continual pushes for gender equality on all fronts, this season’s shoulders added their voice to the fight. The combination of historically feminine brands like Prada and Chanel, along with brands already focused on shifting towards a more androgynous appeal, the shoulder trend was one way to add power to the female Resort wardrobe. The strength in shoulders this season is emblematic of the future of women’s fashion. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen shoulders and it won’t be the last. So whether it’s a scuba suit or a blazer, women are here to take a stance… with their shoulders back and their heads held high.

article photos credits to Vogue Runway.

featured photo credits to: hypebae.com