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Home / Lifestyle

Fashion: Off duty

Dan Ahwa
By Dan Ahwa
Creative and fashion director for Viva and Lifestyle·NZ Herald·
12 Sep, 2014 09:00 PM2 mins to read

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Photo / Greg Bowker

Photo / Greg Bowker

Modern minimalism mixed with pretty prairie details bestow laid-back chic.

Bright colours and bold prints might be big for spring and summer, but they are not for everyone. In fact, sometimes those looks can be worn only by the very few who are confident to go there. Fortunately, there are other "on-trend" pieces that encourage an easy way of dress, both on the eye and the body.

A more relaxed take on clean-cut dressing is a key look this season, as designers focus on stripped-back organic cottons, barely-there lace and lightweight linen. These wardrobe staples never date, and while not a new concept, it's one that resonates particularly well with many women (and men, for that matter) who prefer a simpler way of dress, especially when off duty.

Established labels such as KowTow and Lonely Hearts have highlighted easy to wear organic cotton dresses this season, however it's the younger designers who are taking this mood and making it their own. Kate McGaw from Penny Sage, for example, has focused on relaxed minimalism well with linen dresses that have a carefree 70s bent, while up and coming designer Glen Prentice is making an impact with a thoughtful design aesthetic (watch this space).

Along with relaxed minimalism, other fashion stories perfectly intersect here, from Japonism and new frontier/prairie dressing. The latter is a lighter take on the boho look - think crisp peasant tops, chambray denim dresses, vintage lace and oatmeal-coloured knitwear that will effortlessy transcend into next season.

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Photos: Fashion: Off duty

1. Photo / Greg Bowker
2. Photo / Greg Bowker
3. Photo / Greg Bowker
4. Photo / Greg Bowker
5. Photo / Greg Bowker
6. Photo / Greg Bowker
7. Photo / Greg Bowker

Image 1 of 7: 1. Photo / Greg Bowker

1 Gregory top, $239. Trelise Cooper pants, $479. Sol Sana sandals, $125.
2 C&M lace dress, $289. Twenty-seven Names top, $280. Diane von Furstenburg heels, $550, from Runway. Karen Walker bee pendant, $2609.
3 Juliette Hogan dress, $499. Acne jumper, $339, from Workshop. Senso loafers, $340.
4 Stolen Girlfriends Club jumper, $329. Sheryl May leather skirt, $288. Flamingos sandals, $430, from Runway. Karen Walker floral cluster pendant, $1179.
5 Sheryl May lace biker jacket $599, and matching pencil skirt, $108. Sol Sana sandals, $125.
6 Athe by Vanessa Bruno shirt, $369, from Workshop. Juliette Hogan skirt, $419. Topshop boots, $155, from The Department Store.
7 Shen dress, $329. Sol Sana mules, $210.

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