Models took a jaunty, afternoon stroll through the Hippodrome d’Auteuil in Paris for the Miu Miu Resort 2020 show- one that conjured up a playful combination of ’40s and ’70s fashions that delighted me with its whimsical, retro styling and grandma-chic details. I’m talking collars of the oversized and dramatic variety, as well as the vintage-inspired lace variety paired with utterly charming puff sleeves in eye-catching colors that contrast with the relatively tame shades of the overall outfit. I can’t emphasize this enough- I’m obsessed.
Miu Miu has always been one of my favorite brands to follow through the seasons because of Miuccia’s playful use of prints and the decidedly sweeter, purer silhouettes and details. In fact, I still remember the Miu Miu Spring 2010 show- a collection that also made clever use of statement collars- as being one of the first to open the door to the fashion world for me. It was pretty and pink and precious, with cats and birds and reclining, nude ladies splashed across the different outfits in a way that made everything feel a little bit magical. Looking back on this collection brought back so many fond memories of sinking hours into watching bootleg streams of the shows online, while scrolling through my Tumblr feed reblogging all of my favorite looks. And the models too- Hanne Gaby, Lindsey Wixson, and Lara Stone were among the famous faces to light up the runway. It’s hard to believe that it’s already been 10 years (I’m feeling old!).
Anyways, if my early taste in runway shows would be any indication of my lifelong sense of style, I would never cease to love the darling, vintage feel of a good collar- the lacier, the better. My obsession with a statement sleeve came later, and is something I’m finally accepting as a genuine part of my sense of style. Needless to say, I would wear most anything in the Miu Miu Resort 2020 collection, floppy hats and all.
The equestrian theme of the venue bled into the collection in the form of classic, jockey stripes and horse-related prints that play into Miuccia’s theme of fooling around with the notion of conservatism. And while the collars and puff sleeves were the standout details for me, it’s definitely hard to ignore the platform sneakers and wedge sandals paired with all manner of colorful socks, which will most likely prove to be a popular trend in coming seasons, paired with the ridiculous spectacle of multiple, stacked hats of clashing styles. The hats only serve to bolster the juxtaposition of old conservatism vs. youthful fun.
While dramatic, oversized collars might be a novelty for fashionistas in the coming seasons, I can’t help but feel that this collection validates my recent love of vintage, lacy blouses and shirts with ridiculous sleeves. And as someone who has, in the past, had trouble nailing down a signature aesthetic, it feels good to know that I might be getting close, and that my taste in vintage, eccentric styles won’t be shunned by the fashion world at large. It might even be celebrated.
Check out my favorite looks from the collection below:
Cover photo and all photos in gallery are by Giovanni Giannani for WWD.com.
