Go Go Piss Girl!
Mod meets Prep meets Quiet Luxury.
A trend report, history lesson, styling guide, and brain dump all in one.
Move over butter yellow, there’s a new pastel in town! This mellow sunshine shade’s cooler cousin, ice blue, will be the next big thing. Mark my words. But fear not, butter isn’t going anywhere yet. In fact, it looks quite nice paired with the burgeoning IT color.
How to style it: I’m loving an icy blue pair of sheer tights, a la 60s Mod Yé Yé / Go Go girl or Y2K BluMarine. I’m also loving my ice blue Michael Stars v-neck, paired with a matching leather purse. Instead of matching your purse to your shoes, may I suggest a more blatant matching of purse to blouse?
Similarly, reeling from brat green, we turn to a more demure, very mindful green hue: celadon. Formerly popularized as mint green in 2012, this color, alongside coral, plagued our closets and costume jewelry collections. However, despite its name, the scars of Forever 21 chiffon blouses past seem to have finally faded from memory. We are ready to revisit celadon, nee: mint green. Now, she’s grown up: she’s both a pastel and a jewel tone, she’s mature, refined, and classy. Think Kitty, who’s changing her name to Karen.
How to style it: I thrifted a pair of chunky jade earrings which I’ve been loving, and I think celadon accessories in general can be a great entry point. Not ready to commit? Try it on your nails. A gorgeous gorgeous girly I saw this weekend had her nails painted this minty hue, which looked extra amazing against her red hair. Both ice blue and celadon look particularly stunning juxtaposed with a pop of red.
Ring ring, hello? It’s London calling and they have my number— the 60s!
While a variety of decades past are swirling around the zeitgeist right now, the 60s are the one I’m most interested in. In addition to the aforementioned colored tights, I’m particularly loving A-line silhouettes for mini skirts and dresses.
How to style it: I love giving an old trend new life by combining it with trends from a contrasting era. Right now I’m enjoying 60s fashion fused with 90s minimalism and modern quiet luxury. For example, instead of rainbow patterned tights, opt for a more low-key, solid color pair. Instead of psychedelic print tent dresses, try a plain black one or more modern print. E.g., like the picnic patterned or autumnal plaid ones I’ve thrifted. I’m less interested in the flower power, psychedelic pattern aspect of Mod fashion, and more interested in the silhouettes.
Accessories-wise the Mods have a lot to offer as well. Most importantly: sensible shoes. I freaking hated the kitten heel trend, and much prefer a platform or block heel.
How to style it: It’s still nice out, so happy feet while hitting the town is a must. In theory it’s easy to transition from sneaker to loafer for your sensible go-to summer shoe. In practice, I hate not wearing socks (see: tactile issues, blisters, and having to walk barefoot around other peoples’ houses). So, for warm weather, I pair my loafers with crew socks. For pre-fall, try knee high socks, which give the visual of knee high boots, but without sweaty, leather-clad calfs. Pair with a mini skirt and cutesy top for August, or a mini + tights and turtleneck for the transitional season.
Other Mod-inspired accessories I’m into right now include headbands, large statement earrings, and oversized sunglasses. These can easily be tacked onto any outfit. Bangs + straight hair also live rent free in my Pinterest, though I do realize this is really more 70s.
Speaking of the British invasion, France isn’t far behind
It started with a Jane Birkin renaissance. TikTok compiled Jane edits, Birkin bags became even more popular somehow, bag personalization hit the mainstream, and girls started replacing their purses with wicker baskets.
How to style it: If you’re not ready to give up the convenience of a purse just yet, try a wicker purse instead of a full on basket. It’s more comfy and seals shut to deter theft.
Baskets aren’t the only baggage this French revolution brings
Both a fashion and cultural movement (really, as most trends are), the “French girl” is a way of life. This fits nicely into the “lifestyle” marketing that brands strive for right now (vs. selling products themselves).
The cool girls are smoking cigs, attaining waify levels of thinness (see: Ozempic), becoming artistes and writers on Substack, all while maintaining a healthy dose of cynicism and pretension. *said without judgement*
Of course we also have the typical french girl cues such as pop of red, bangs, simple silhouettes, and even a tastefully styled beret.
As I said, I like combining old trends like ingredients in a stew. Likewise, if you mix Mod, French Girl, and a pinch of Quiet Luxury, the resulting dish smells a lot like 80s prep.
As such, many of the items here are repetitive. However, the perspective they add is novel.
Bayonetta glasses were without a doubt the star of 2023/2024 office siren looks and Y2K callbacks. Glasses continue to define 2024/2025 in new silhouettes, particularly the Miu Miu thin oval specs. See also the role of glasses/sunglasses in 60s Mod looks (above). We love nerd pride and trend-ifying academia!
How to style it: Instead of going full microtrend and attempting the office siren or 70s look, try juxtaposing vintage-style glasses with more modern pieces.
Prep also gives us loafers, turtlenecks, and headbands (see: 60s Mod fashion above). Also, the very relevant field jacket.
Moreover, Prep features one of my favorite patterns: tartan/plaid.
How to style it: I’m pretty much for tartan/plaid anything, whether hero piece, accessory, or home decor. Personally, I own tartan moon boots, a tartan RL scarf, a tartan Scottie dog pillow, a large tartan hair bow, plaid headbands, a plaid dress, and plaid pants.
History repeats itself
These “trends” are nothing new, both in the fashion world and in my wardrobe. As they should be! Consistency in preferences is an indication of well-developed taste. I’ve always loved turtlenecks, large earrings, and mini skirts and I will continue do so. Additional, since everything I mentioned has already been popular at some point in time, it is also all quite thriftable.
FYTI (for your thrift inspiration):
An ice blue purse to match my ice blue Michael Stars v-neck.
A wicker purse, i.e., the more practical Birkin basket.
Big red sunnies which adhere to both the cherry red spec and Mod vibes.
Grey Banana Republic, Italian wool turtleneck for layering in my preppy, dark academia outfits. Also a chunky, cream, Rory Gilmore-esque, vintage, fisherman wool sweater for the same purposes (not-pictured).
The Kooples zebra hair loafers serve as a lovely fur accent piece, and and intriguing neutral.
Tartan newsboy cap serves prep. I will be wearing it backwards for a modern flair.
Jade-green chunky earrings which satiate both my large earring and celadon love.
Not pictured:
Black tank bodysuit, white t-shirts, and white/black/grey crew socks, for the neutral fits.
Black loungewear (Mad happy hoodie + wide leg pants) to look chic in all-black, even at rest.
Black horse bit loafers for the prep.
Silver wide leg jeans, silver Onitsuka dupes, silver kids GAP jelly shoes, metallic Sperry boat shoes, and a silver sequin micro mini skirt.
Maybe later…
Other things I’m loving right now include silver/metallics, gender-ambiguous dressing AKA the outfit you can swap with your boyfriend, 70s tube socks, multicolor nail polish, cow/pony hair, and middling denim (not skinny but not wide, a la Levi 501s).
