Prairie Home Companion

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Recent trends towards 70’s-inspired ruffles and relaxed silhouettes have coalesced into a new trend, which seems straight out of Little House on the Prairie. The Prairie Home Companion aesthetic is characterized by natural-looking fabrics, roomy blouses, maxi dresses, puffed sleeves, and construction techniques that mimic hand-made knits and lace. All that extra volume is counter-balanced by extra-short sleeves or exposed shoulders, and diaphanous, semi-translucent textiles that reveal the undergarments beneath. Perfect for transitioning from self-isolation into a new and more relaxed version of business-casual, this trend gives the illusion that its purveyors have been home all day spinning wool and churning butter, and now they are ready to go out for an afternoon picnic…or perhaps some country dancing on the town square.

Ermanno Scervino manifested the trend with a Resort 2021 collection full of elaborate white-lace slip dresses, and Dior elevates this look with creamier tones and waists cinched by wide belts and bustiers. Zimmermann adds blush-pink and contrasting black trimmings, while Gabriela Hearst introduces elements of hand-dyed ochre gradations and exquisite eye-lets. From Copenhagen Street Style to the (virtual) runways, country living is finding chic new ways of expression….so don’t put away those cotton summer dresses yet! Just layer in some autumnal boots and leggings as the look will likely carry over into the winter and beyond.

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