Sisley unveils young A/W 2013-14 collection

Since their older brothers and sisters take off on a Ryanair flight for the legendary Reading and Glastonbury festivals every summer, don’t the younger ones also have a right to their indie meet-up?

Make way for fantasy, then, and let the fashion games begin. Inspiration is totally British, poised between young country gentleman and the freedom of expression of a folk artist.  A mix of measured afternoon tea chic and the anticonformity of live rock – but always toned down to suit their age. An ideal world in which to feel freer, more independent.

The new Sisley Young Autumn/Winter 2013-14 collection has eco-furs, skinny jeans (like Mum’s!), Beatle boots, eco leather jackets and lace dresses that can be romantic or punk, depending on what they’re worn with.

Then there are military prints, cargo pants for games in the garden, light, cosy Norwegian-pattern sweaters for curling up with an adventure book, or fleeces and t-shirts with skull and crossbones prints for little punk pirates. Because remember, Mums, as the Rolling Stones said “it’s only rock ‘n’ roll, but they like it!”

Girls:

They’ve grown up studying the looks of the It girls, and like Sienna, Kate and Alexa, they know exactly how you dress for a concert in Hyde Park. Dungarees are the order of the day, better still if they’re in délavé denim, or the star-printed pleated dress that becomes glam with the eco-fur gilet and high suede boots.

And they don’t miss a beat when it comes to girly birthday parties either, where the colours of choice are powder pink and peach for micro-cardigans, romantic lace and raglan sleeve sweaters, given an edge with street accessories such as fingerless gloves, grunge-style knit hats and ankle boots with micro-fringes. An alternative way of dressing that pairs flounced denim skirts with elegant, smoky-grey double-breasted coats – with the fun touch of an animal-print fur collar – to wear with sequined ballerina flats.

Then there are light as air down jackets with bow tie belts to pair with tulle skirts, and dresses in sea blue nuances with a slightly hippy tie-dye effect, given a preppy touch with a small, round collar.  And for parties? There’s glitter black, punk style lace, touches of laminated gold and lurex, as well as little accessories such as sparkly berets and micro handbags in eco-fur. Because for little girls, fashion a “grown-ups” game!

Boys

For their part, boys mix details in pure English style with the alternative feel of grunge. Because theirs is a way to be super cool, and if it was an album it would sound a little bit Nirvana and a little bit Libertines. They pair check flannel shirts with vintage-look jeans and camouflage cargo pants with country-style ribbed cardigans, while stone-washed denim shirts with press studs go with leather belts and Beatle boots.

These young boys, playing at rock stars who’ve just come off stage, add a fun punk touch to country gentleman style. Merino wool sweaters with traditional Norwegian patterns are paired with hiking boots or leather sneakers, while preppy striped pullovers contrast with fleeces and skull and crossbones-print t-shirts. Colours also show a rock concert influence, with mud, army green, fleece grey, punk black, brick red, faded blue, charcoal and navy.

Sisley