THE spirit of Del Boy Trotter was alive and well at London Fashion Week – with power suits, gold chains and leather jackets dominating catwalks.
David Jason’s Only Fools And Horses character first hit TV screens in 1981, and 44 years on his wardrobe is enjoying a surprise revival.
Eighties fashion is bang on trend this autumn – but here’s how to wear it without looking like Del Boy[/caption]
From high street faves Zara and Marks & Spencer to top fashion houses Saint Laurent and Loewe, the world’s gone bonkers for dapper Del’s looks.
Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts and the Princess of Wales have all channelled Trotter trends, too.
Here, Clemmie Fieldsend delves into how the wheeler dealer became an unlikely style icon and reveals how we can take inspiration from his lovely jubbly gear – without looking a “plonker”, of course.
TRENCH TRENDS
EVERY woman needs a trench coat in her wardrobe.
It’s a classic staple that is perfect for transitional weather – so, right now – and for layering over everyday, dressed-down outfits.
It was also a key part of Del Boy’s workwear look.
The versatile essential is steeped in British history and, of course, is synonymous with Burberry.
When the fashion crowd gathered in London to attend the brand’s star-studded catwalk show last week, the fashion elite – including model and TV presenter Alexa Chung, 41 – were all rocking the brand’s iconic trenches.
Paired with sheer black tights and heels in the brand’s signature check print, Alexa let the beige-coloured coat take centre stage, proving it’s a must-have that elevates even the simplest outfit.
Last month, actress Olivia Munn, 45, did a similar look in New York when she teamed hers with a simple striped jumper and jeans.
But as a Burberry trench starts at £2,850, going up to £3,750, you would be wise to do a Del and skip designer in favour of something more purse friendly.
Primark’s £34 trench has all the familiar detailing – a belted cuff and waist and double-breasted design.
Alexa Chung rocked Burberry’s iconic trench coat at London Fashion Week[/caption]
It was also a key part of Del Boy’s workwear look[/caption]
Primark’s £34 trench has all the familiar detailing[/caption]
SHEEPSKIN CHIC
INCREDIBLY, Del’s signature look – bold red roll neck, shearling coat and flat cap – wouldn’t look out of place on today’s runways.
In fact, it was very much present on the autumn/winter catwalks of high-end brands Fendi and Toteme.
The latter, famed for their collarless borg coat (which spawned endless high street dupes – brands including Mango and Next went viral with their designer doubles) appears to have turned to Trotter with their collared coats and polo necks.
And they’re not the only ones. Actress Katie Holmes, 46, braved the New York chill earlier this year in straight-leg jeans, trainers and shearling coat.
Shearling, aka sheepskin, doesn’t come cheap, though. Toteme’s version will set you back £3,030, but Tu at Sainsbury’s has a cosy, chocolate-themed faux sheepskin dupe with similar Del Boy vibes for just £55.
Wear yours like Katie – just switch Del’s flat cap for a beanie for a more up-to-date winter look.
Katie Holmes braved the New York chill earlier this year in a shearling coat[/caption]
Tu at Sainsbury’s has a cosy faux sheepskin coat for just £55[/caption]
LEATHER JACKET
AT the end of August, Zara brought out a £169 suede jacket that instantly went viral – first in taupe, then in brown. And soon it seemed every influencer, and every woman with an Instagram account, had one slung over her shoulders.
With a funnel neck, gathered waist and handy pockets, the jacket was such a hit that Zara capitalised on its success with umpteen variations – from real to faux-leather versions – all channelling a distinctly Del Boy-inspired Harrington vibe.
And it wasn’t just the Spanish high street giant paying homage to our favourite wide boy. M&S brought out their own sage green version of the high-neck number for just £70. Another hit, it has been restocked twice since landing on the rails.
Model Rosie Huntington Whiteley, 38, appeared to have gone for Del’s style when she stepped out at the Saint Laurent runway show in a leather bomber complete with suit, tie and pinstripe shirt. But at £4,875 for the jacket, it’s hardly Peckham market pricing.
Luckily, George at Asda has its own version for £38. In a rich aubergine hue, it ticks all the trend boxes – and won’t bankrupt you.
Jessica Alba stuns in a leather jacket in New York City[/caption]
The jacket has a distinctly Del Boy-inspired Harrington vibe[/caption]
Leather bomber, £38, George at Asda[/caption]
TIE’S THE LIMIT
THIS year has seen actress Nicole Kidman, 58, at the Critics Choice Awards, singer Doechii, 27, at the Grammys – and most recently Julia Roberts, 57, in New York – stepping out in ties.
Taking a leaf from Del Boy’s style book, fat and skinny ties paired with oversized, shoulder- padded jackets are everywhere.
But Hollywood’s leading ladies have given them a fresh twist by wearing ties with dresses, showing just how versatile this accessory can be.
Ripping up the rule book and proving that a tie can be worn with pretty much anything has made it this season’s must-have. Use it to instantly update an old outfit.
Saint Laurent may be leading the Del- inspired charge, but other designers such as Vivienne Westwood and Ralph Lauren have all been accessorising their latest designs with ties.
But you don’t need to fork out £300 for the YSL look – H&M has ties available for women. Or, alternatively, hop over to the men’s section to snap up theirs from just £9.99.
Worn with a shirt or a slip dress, it’s the simplest way to make any outfit feel brand new.
Nicole Kidman at the Critics Choice Awards in February[/caption]
Tie, £9.99, H&M[/caption]
SUITS YOU, SIR
LOOKING sharp was a way of life for Del Boy, who famously said: “A bloke in a suit is a bloke who can get anything he wants.” The wheeler dealer always dressed to impress and could often be seen sporting a classic grey two-piece.
Complete with 1980s padded shoulders (well, it was the era of power-dressing), the loveable chancer’s look hasn’t dated, with today’s designers jumping on board.
Victoria Beckham and Stella McCartney have both sent their models down the runway in tailored looks, while British Vogue editor Chioma Nnadi and The Princess of Wales have followed, erm, suit.
Kate, 43, lifted her grey tailoring with a soft pink pussy-bow blouse, giving a lady-like twist to a men’s classic, while Chioma wore a three-piece at London Fashion Week with a T-shirt and trainers.
You can give your wardrobe the Trotter treatment with this blazer from Next, available with matching trousers.
Del Boy famously said: ‘A bloke in a suit is a bloke who can get anything he wants’[/caption]
British Vogue editor Chioma Nnadi has been loving a tailored look[/caption]
You can give your wardrobe the Trotter treatment with this blazer from Next[/caption]
BOLD BLING
FOR years, delicate accessories have dominated the catwalk and the high street – but now it’s all about being bold in gold.
In true Trotter style, no outfit – whether it’s a blazer and trousers combo or roll neck and jeans – is complete without flashy, oversized pieces.
Schiaparelli and Miu Miu embraced statement necklaces this season, while cuffs and earrings were also a surprise hit among Gen Z.
TikTokkers’ high street jewellery hauls have racked up more than 5.1million views online.
Meanwhile celebs including Dua Lipa, 30, and Scarlett Johansson, 40, have been seen layering wide cuffs and going bold with heavy necklaces.
Initial necklaces – loved by Del and the Princess of Wales alike – featuring delicate chains but large lettering are the way to go if you’re just starting out on your chunky jewellery journey.
Next has gold and silver versions for just £10, while Mango’s thick designer-inspired pearl and gold cuffs come in at £17.99. Bargain.
Scarlett Johansson has been seen layering wide cuffs and going bold with heavy necklaces[/caption]
Cuffs, £18, Mango[/caption]
