Thursday 9 August 2012

Pastels,Linen Pants,Blazers,No Socks-It All Started With The Vice-Miami Vice

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What goes around comes around. The same can be said about fashion. Nothing was more evident when perusing the shopping malls and going from one shop to another only to see the same thing repeated over and over again. Pastels, Stripes, Spots, Blazer Jackets, Biker Jackets, Printed T-Shirts and Leopard Print to name a few. And colour, colour, colour- from pastels to brights to fluro! One thing surely came to my mind. The 1980's and Miami Vice! Yes- you heard me! The show that set the fashion world on fire and started their own trends that are reinvigorated today launched signature looks and brought Italian fashion labels and trends into the US market. Commonly known as the Crockett Look- or the T-Shirt under Armani jacket look, Don Johnson played the character Sonny Crockett, accompanied by Phillip Michael Thomas as Ricardo Tubbs, two undercover cops working the Vice squad in Miami. I remember even as a teenager thinking how these guys were amazing to be able to look so tough and cool in pastel colours and pinks while working as cops. The show ran for 5 seasons from 1984-1989 and became one of the most influential TV series of all time with their use of fashion, music and visual effects in telling a story, launching many a musician, actor and designers career. As I mentioned in my last post, how architecture can influence fashion and vice versa, the use of pastel colours in the shows wardrobe reflected the Art Deco architecture that was prominent in Miami. They designed a whole look and feel for the show that was reflected in the Miami heat. The Ray Ban wayfarer soared in popularity due to the show, or should I say how hot Don Johnson looked in them! The fashion was not just limited to the men of the show, with the co-stars of Saundra Santiago as Gina and Olivia Brown as Trudy wearing some of the most outrageous clothes that I would figure it wouldn't be possible to do your job properly wearing them- let alone the male cops to focus on their jobs! It was all about big hair, lots of accessories, mainly gold chunky pieces and lots of prints and colour. If you haven't seen or heard of the show (please email me and explain to me how this is possible? Fair enough if you weren't born yet!) and if you are already a fan, why not revisit if for some style inspiration. As one of my Top 5 shows of the 80's, I never tire of it and those that know me, know that I never tire talking about it either. But I will leave you with these images from the show and why not be adventurous and try a few looks yourself. What are some of your favourites and are you inspired like me by TV character fashions? If so, which ones? Would love to hear!

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Tank tops and button down T-Shirts were all the rage-proving you can be masculine in pink and lilac!And don't forget the gold medallion. 
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Coloured Blazers in double and single breasted teamed with a cool pair of sunglasses.
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Ladies- sheer delicate blouses with spots, cinched waist and leopard prints tickle your fancy?
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This colour has made its way back into stores along with gold statement necklaces and fashion sunglasses.
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Green is everywhere this season in many shades. Love the print on Trudy's dress.
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Tubbs was always more refined with polished suits in double breasted and striped and teamed with pastel shirts and predominantly a coloured and printed tie.
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This is the classic Crockett look, linen pants, jacket, t-shirt with loafers and no socks. How many of you men out there have been influenced by this? 
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Boxy batwing jackets became more prevalent in the late 80's.
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The Biker jacket is a hot trend this season. Crockett gives this one effortless cool.
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Ok Ok. This picture is purely to show off Don Johnson's hot toned arms. How to make a gun holster look hot while wearing canary yellow!
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Cool stripes in pale colours to cope with the Miami heat.
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I'll leave you with a quote from Crockett that can apply to anything but most certainly fashion:
"You've got to know the rules before you can break 'em. Otherwise, it's no fun".(Season 3-Episode 14-Cuba Libre)

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