Trend Inspiration: Hit television series “Girls”
If you haven’t caught on to the “Girls” obsession yet, brace yourself. The American comedy-drama series has just finished its second season and is up for a third one in the near future. Created by writer and actress (she stars as one of the main characters named Hannah) Lena Dunham, the television programme centres on four twenty-something girls living in New York City. Ok, so it sounds exactly like “Sex and the City.” And perhaps it is a modern take on the former beloved show as it focuses on love, friendship, and finding oneself. But “Girls” sets itself apart from “Sex and the City” and similar programmes in its raw but extremely true take on reality and what girls in their young twenties are actually like. Forget the glamour and fancy cocktails of Manhattan and prepare yourself for a struggling writer cut off from her parents and having to do unpaid internships, STI’s, the casual hookup turn relationship, and falling out of love. “Girls” presents us with the actual issues that girls just out of university really face. When speaking to some of my friends, I have found that almost each one of them can relate to at least one of the main characters completely. And the amount of times I have heard “that conversation or that part when Hannah says to Marnie…SO TRUE! I literally had that conversation the other day!” is too many to count. If nothing else, pay attention to each of the main characters’ styles for wardrobe inspiration—are you a hipster Hannah? Sophisticated city chic Marnie? Boho Jessa? Or preppy Shoshanna? Here’s a little guide to achieve whichever girl’s look you identify with and if you haven’t already, tune into “Girls” on Sky Atlantic.
Hipster Hannah: Main character Hannah revels in the fact that she is a writer trying to make it in New York. Living in Brooklyn, New York’s hipster centre (think Shoreditch), Hannah often wears mid-length skirts; button up shirts, vintage-inspired floral dresses, hats, and Oxford/brogue shoes. Her mismatched outfits add to her quirky, creative personality that is cause for many hilarious (although slightly awkward) situations.
Sophisticated city chic Marnie: Marnie is Hannah’s best friend and in series one, housemate. Marnie has a decent job and initially, the perfect boyfriend. She is primped and proper and incredibly beautiful. Marnie usually wears tailored dresses and looks both professional and sophisticated without compromising her beauty or youth. Think Zara-like dresses or jeans paired with blouses and feminine accessories (scarves, necklaces, etc.) Marnie is the girl that everyone wants to be and look like in New York.
Boho Jessa: Having just come back from travelling, Shoshanna’s British cousin Jessa brings a carefree hippy element to the group. On the surface, Jessa seems to have it all figured out—her effortless personal style, abundance of life experiences, endless wisdom, and living life as one experience presents itself to the next. But there is certainly another layer to her in that she is fairly lost and perhaps lonely at times. Exuding her complex personality, Jessa wears long flowing skirts and dresses layered with shirts, tops, patterns and prints. She loves floppy hats and bracelets and funky rings. Think paisley.
Preppy Shoshanna: Perhaps the most naïve of the group, Shoshanna is somewhat insecure and immature. She is still waiting for her breakthrough moment. As a result, she plays it relatively safe with her wardrobe. But safe is ok when you’re right on trend! Shoshanna is on it with the recent preppy trend that we have seen emerging this spring. House of Holland, Ralph Lauren, and other top designer houses have presented stripes, Yacht-inspired Americana preppy looks. Think polo shirts and striped skinny trousers, collars underneath lightweight jumpers and sweet ballet flats. Skater skirts and low-cut Chelsea boots with collared blouses are perfect for the Shoshanna side of all of us, especially this spring.
By Nicola Rothery
