The season's favourite length isn't something for the faint of heart.
It may be mankind's grandest athletic competition, but the Olympic isn't for all to compete, not in the literal sense of course. But fashion loves to feel "the moment." Designers know better than anyone how their stylish clientele love to enjoy everything that goes on in the world, albeit in their own fashionable way. That explains the army of bombers, hoodies, drawstrings and running shorts that are not meant for jogging on the spring/summer 2012 runway.
Fashion feels the sporty vive of the Olympic with the new length for the bottoms that happens to fit the global warming-induced heat. The swim lounge bathing suits and stretchy hot pants have reigned over influential collections _ Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana _ and that's enough for the fashionistas to rush to the nearest waxing salon in preparation for the most daring length of all shorts.
In fact, the craze over hot pants and bodysuit isn't exactly the exclusive aftermath of this season's Olympic-influenced sportswear. In Bangkok, the rise of brands like Milin and Vickteerut have given the urban denizens the taste of being "sexy and sophisticated", which revolves around the use of immaculate cutting technique, premium fabrics and design that liberate the notion of sexy from vulgarity. Vickteerut has used slits and eyelets to give his pieces a peek-a-boo effect, and in combination with masculine tailoring, the outcome is fashion item that teases by flashing, and not bearing, flesh.
Milin, however, is the champion of micro length and her collections are the epitome of high slits and fabrics layering _ the use of sheer fabric overlay above hot pants. This season, the brand even offers sporty hot pant separates to let fans enjoy mastering the art of layering.
Although hot pants are generally associated with "sexy" and "sporty," the domineering mood of sweet, pretty girls in this season has prompted designers to reinterpret this length with another dimension. At Dolce & Gabbana and Louis Vuitton, elements like laces and high waist are thrown into the look to give it a sweeter, earthly, almost girlish feel.
So whether to bare the limbs in high-waist hot pants or cover it with some floaty sheer chiffon with thigh-high slit is up to the style of those who feel like cruising this trend. The only trick is to keep the choice of footwear unfussy. Since hot pants are about legs, so high heels that bear the instep like t-bar platforms or ankle straps will make your legs look longer and well, boots are definitely a no-no.
Email: life.fashion@bangkokpost.co.th.
