[Trend Report] Patchy McPatchster

Patchwork dress, Anna Sui | 80’s style top, Topshop | Maxi dress, Marc by Marc Jacobs | Patchwork skirt, Ichi | Pink top, Pepe

I’ve had a sneakin’ suspicion about this trend for a while now, first seeing it on style starlet Lily Allen, then on the streets of Manhattan, and now finally Europe’s favorite trendster The Catwalk Queen announced what is undoubtingly becoming “the next big trend”. That’s right folks, DIY styled patchwork dresses and tops are flooding in with a style that is one part flee-market couture and one part Raggedy Anne chic.

What I’m loving about this look is how well it plays on multiple body shapes. The dresses being created in this style, like the long Marc Jacobs number above, drape well and seem to perfectly accent curvy girls by creating a natural waist and by placing more coordinating patterns towards the bottom of the dress. While this style seems very familiar (remember “gypsy dress syndrome” from Spring of three years ago) it isn’t a direct imitation of what has already been done. Instead this look seems to be directly influenced by the vintage reconstruction period that jump started the indie designer and DIY culture a few years back.

Patchwork Kaftan, S’nob | Blouson, Matthew Williamson| Summer mini dress, Tibi

What’s best of this indie trend is that it has already made it to the mainstream.
Yesterday dressbarn, or should I say “definitely not your mother’s” dressbarn, premiered some pieces that follow this patchwork trend to the letter, mixing alternating black and white prints to create a trendy piece of fashionable art.

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