The Return of the Trash Fash Phenomenon

Last year saw a resurgance of the unashamed fashion fanatic, eagle eyed and magpie ready. We look at the designers behind the sartorial madness.

Trash fash will always have a place our heart for its feel good factor and for the sheer fact its fun. To invest wisely in the trend, look to Maison Martin Margiela’s Artisanal line which is always an Aladdin’s cave of quirky cool, or Lanvin’s latest metallic chained clutches in papyrus leather and a luxe palette of indigos and power purples.

Trashy is unashamedly in – from the catwalks from high street to couture – the ultimate mélange of cheap and chic and this season’s sexiest accessory trend for sure. Our motto? Make trash something to treasure.

Moschino has long championed the mantra ‘FOR FASHION VICTIMS ONLY’. This season sees the rise of the unashamed fashion fanatic, eagle eyed and magpie ready to rip their talons into the latest ‘look at me’ trash fash accessories, as in your face as Franco Moschino’s motto. Loud and proud, as worn by celebrity cool kids Cara Delevigne, Rihanna and Rita Ora, the return of the trash fash accessory is unavoidable; bigger, bolder and better than ever before – lavish, layered, loaded and loud. Here are our picks of the pieces you won’t be able to say no to, even though you know you really should…

Who can shout the loudest? Moschino of course – long bemoaned by understated stylistas as tacky and cheap, but just as fondly loved by more frivolous fashionistas for its throwaway aesthetic and ‘wow’ factor accessories. SS14 saw a catwalk awash with chunky gold bangles, matching neck chains worn in layers, cut-throat chokers, clip on jewel drop earrings, post box red nail polish and diamante encrusted plastic frame sunglasses all infused infectiously, look upon look, model upon model, to create the ultimate kaleidoscope of cool. And the jewellery was just the icing on the cake, the main accessory attractions were the oversized leather belts in unforgiving red, white and black, emblazoned with gold-plated GOOD GIRL, BAD GIRL, or MOSCHINO logos, and dripping with clipped-on chains aplenty.

One dress even read ‘HOLY CHIC’ and we can’t help but agree – sure, the collection is shocking, but it’s shocking in a way, which is fun, chic, and sexy so, what’s not to love? Our absolute favourites (for wearability and wow factor) are the studded bucket bags, vanity cases and clutches which work just as powerfully worn alone with simple tailoring or an understated LBD as they do when packing a punch with a plethora of other add ons from your trash fash stash.

Not often is there a catwalk collection which emblazons dresses with giant exclamation and question marks, and pairs Jessica Rabbit’s with Nun habits worn as headbands – but then again not often would we find ourselves admiring both as viable accessory options, so pass the trash, we say. The allure is in the whimsy, the wackiness and the tackiness. It’s fun. It’s frivolous. And it’s an affordable way to make a statement, which is as throwaway and flippant as your mood may be. 

Saint Laurent come a close second in the trash fash spectrum, playing with peek a boo traces of conventional tackiness – think kiss prints, gaudy leopard and Barbie pink and black liquorice all-sort stripes, all set against a chic canvas of Saint Laurent’s staple black androgyny. The ultimate trash fash piece this season was debuted here in the form of black mini bucket bag, knotted with chains and glittering with silver studs, it packs a punch but is still feminine enough to transcend the seasons and secure itself as a staple (not something often said in the same breath as trash fash).