Playful Punk
Leather, pleather and lace, oh my! Summer may be on her way, but don’t put away your black wardrobe just yet as fashion sees a gothic revival that is refreshed with a dainty, whimsical and feminine attitude.
Sparked by TV shows such as Netflix’s Wednesday and the passing of British fashion punk icon, Vivienne Westwood, as well as evolving modern trends such as ‘cottage-core’ and ‘craft-core’, darker trends that don’t shy away from fun are rippling across both the internet and the catwalks in 2023. Combining romantic and more historical products such as corsets, suspenders and garters with fetish-inspired pieces like straps and tough hardware express a contrasting rebellious and romantic attitude of consumers currently facing economic uncertainty.
This trend also reflects the current market’s desire for styles that feel more realistic and attainable than the ‘clean girl aesthetic’ that rose in popularity in February 2023 and was criticised for seemingly emphasising white and Western ideals of beauty among other problematic standards such as clear skin. If you’re not afraid to get a bit down and dirty, join us as we explore a more playful side of punk lingerie fashion and how you should be using it with your brand.
BRANDING
Despite this trend feeling like a melting pot of contradictory style influences, playful punk can be a great aesthetic that grabs the consumer’s eye with its dark and sleek atmosphere. Playing on the theme of soft and hard with tough matte black exterior packaging with soft and silky drawstring pouches activates the buyer’s senses. Think about creating dynamic graphics and prints such as romantic florals in a gloomy and dark colour palette or dainty nature-inspired illustrations contrasted on a grungy backdrop of purple and maroon.
This contradiction in imagery helps to lighter moodier themes or harden more feminine symbols to reach a wider consumer base, whilst remaining fresh and exciting. The lingerie branding of yesteryear often is divided into soft and romantic or dark and sensual so blurring the line between the two will make your brand feel fresh and exciting, whilst appealing to a bigger demographic.
FABRIC & PRODUCT
The key to executing this trend with flair is by mixing hard with soft. Fabrics such as leather and tartan wool are contrasted with sheer materials and delicate lace. There is an element of childlike DIY creativity where mixing and matching opposing style concepts is encouraged as well as raw hems and handcrafted accessories such as flower corsages, buttons and badges. Don’t be afraid to release your inner dominatrix with bondage design elements such as straps and harnesses that also help to enhance and define the natural contours of the body as well as implementing tough and gritty hardware detailing like chainmail, metal links and religious iconography like crosses. Alternatively, soften a vampy look with dainty hardware such as a string of pearls, feathers, satin bows or kitsch-crafted jewellery sprinkled with cutesy anthropomorphic characters.
Also playing with the cut of your garments can help bring to life this paradoxical trend by pairing revealing lingerie and cut-out black bodysuits with a sheer babydoll style negligee or a see-through all-in-one catsuit. This trend pulls from many past trends and fashion influences and champions creativity so having fun and exploring what works for you is crucial to getting it right.
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