Fashion - Daring to be different

Ask a passer-by to describe ‘Wellington style’ and you’ll get diverse responses ranging from ‘smart corporate’ to ‘vintage experimentation’. So to avoid a confrontation of viewpoints, we’ll stick with the unanimous opinion that ‘everyone is a little bit different’.

Fashion in the Capital is truly an eclectic mix – one that can stir inspiration and creativity into any wardrobe. Even the biggest fashion sceptic would have trouble denying the individuality pouring off Wellington’s streets in terms of style.

But what makes Wellington so unique?

Aside from the vast number of popular vintage and second-hand clothing stores, you’ll also find smaller independent stores nestled beside international designer labels; surf wear is buddied up with skate wear and high-street brands socialise with one-of-a-kind creations. Throw in a crisp corporate suit and a good dose of black (yes, the stereotype is true) and there you have it – the amalgamation that is ‘Wellington style’.

Because of this intermingling of retailers, Wellington avoids formulaic fashion. Shoppers don’t need to be spoon-fed trends to look good. The city delivers fashion in a way that lets you take what you want and match with it something else to create your own look; it’s practically begging you to be different.

Funky and irreverent combinations are thrown together promoting individual style rather than a catwalk on which everyone looks the same (revisit London circa 2007 for an example). The UK fashion capital transcended into an Ugg Boot-wearing nation, as a photograph of supermodel Kate Moss sporting the aforementioned footwear circulated the British glossies. Individuality went astray as every girl looked exactly the same – no one dared to break the mould. In the effort to be ‘on trend’, the whole concept of fashion can sometimes be forgotten.

That’s not to say Wellington is immune to these trends – we’ve all seen (and maybe even been victim to) the high-waist look. Last year saw a boom in high-waisted trousers, shorts and skirts – with some still slipping onto racks today. And let’s not forget the neon and metallic 1980s revival, complete with spandex. Actually… maybe we should.

But as trends like these filter through from Europe and catwalks around the world, it’s safe to say Wellington will inevitably put its own stamp on it – and that’s what makes the fashion here so appealing. There’s no place in Wellington for conventional copycats, which is a breath of fresh air in a world where celebrities are viewed as the ultimate style creators.

So what does fashion mean to a Wellingtonian? Whether you combine a Glassons T-shirt with a Karen Walker skirt, or a second-hand jacket with a pair of Sass & Bide jeans, fashion is about creating your own look to reflect your style and personality, and daring to be different. It doesn’t matter if you’re not necessarily wearing this season’s silhouette; what matters is that you’re inspired to try something new and celebrate great clothes.

Have fun looking great. After all, isn’t that what fashion’s really all about?