Casual obsession

Cityscape tries on some street fashion advice from Christchurch’s trend-setting boutiques.

Welcome to spring 2020. It’s time to get obsessed with soft tones, popping colour, trans-seasonal shapes and ever-evolving sustainable threads. You’re on the cutting edge of trend, looking for practical chunky heels, versatile blazers, and punchy natural colours like green, mustard and tan. We’re obsessed with these street and casual fashion boutiques, and the experts picking what’s on the shelves this season.

Infinite Definite

Infinite Definite hosts a carefully-selected eclectic range of fashion and homewares made in New Zealand and sourced from afar. Jono Moran says the store’s big focus is on design, quality and community.

"We love all our New Zealand designers like Penny Sage, Twenty-Seven Names, Kowtow and Marle, as well as some exciting international brands including Paloma Wool, Veja, New Balance, Gramicci and more.

"Quality linen pieces help keep everything nice and cool in spring and summer, as do flexible dresses that can be reversed, belted or cinched for any occasion."

Moutique

Charlotte Dawes at Moutique in Prestons is an expert in sourcing hard-to-find Kiwi brands, and she’s got some fantastic drops coming in this season.

"For any season everyone should have a really nice fitting blazer, one that works with jeans and a tee or cami, or can be worn with a skirt or over a dress. I’d always recommend spending a bit more on the one that fits perfectly; you’ll have it for years to come.

"Longer skirts are making a comeback. These work really well for dressing up or wearing with a tee and sneakers."

EnCompass

Benji’s a denim legend, and his store EnCompass in The Tannery is a go-to streetwear destination, but be warned: you’re bound to leave with an obsession for a killer brand you’d never heard of before.

"The season’s look for men is light wash slim taper denim paired with casual waistcoats and blazers. Fedoras and cheese cutters are back in. The colours for the season are mustard, off white, khaki, gold, and deep green.

"This year, women are wearing a wider cropped leg, ankle flares and straighter silhouettes, and greens and mustards are really popular."

Death by Denim

You’ll find Elsie Burt at Death by Denim, a top-to-toe boutique that touts the transformative power of that perfect pair of jeans, with stores in the central city and Merivale.

"I've noticed this year that denim joggers, the look of jeans but the feel of a jogger, are showing a real increase. I think post-lockdown we are all looking to smarten back up without losing that comfort.

"Green is totally the colour of the season, and it’ll continue through 2021. From khaki to apple green there are options to suit all skin tones, and with tees, sweaters, blouses and blazers there are options for all styles too."

Untouched World

Untouched World is the only lifestyle fashion company in the world recognised by the UN for sustainability, so for founder and CEO Peri Drysdale, fashion and sustainability go hand-in-hand.

"We love spring’s soft seascape-inspired blues with pops of pink shrimp and gentle coral tones, and timeless neutrals like light silver, and deep inky navies.

"If I could give the world one fashion tip, it would be to buy less but invest in quality pieces they’ll really love."

Issimo

Belinda Blanchfield’s Issimo is a hip-as-all-hell independent footwear and accessory boutique in Merivale rocking slick sneakers, hot heels and everything in between.

"This year the sneaker has certainly become more of a staple wardrobe item, and not just your plain white ones.

"I'm excited about platform sneakers (actually all sneakers), a good mule, and soft lemon-coloured heels anda good everyday block heeled sandal in tan.Birkenstocks are a stock standard summer item."

Stencil

James Scott and his team at Stencil in The Colombo stock fine apparel, footwear and classics from the best national and international brands.

"For men we’re loving what we’ve seen from Carhartt and Patagonia. We’re just seeing some really good depth in the products these guys have, and the quality. Nudie Jeans have some great denim too. People have really embraced brands they know and are comfortable with.

"For women, we love the New Zealand brand Thing Thing. It’s unique, there’s a lot more colour and a range of different garments, really well presented and on point for women’s fashion. And we’ve just brought in some cool Carhartt Women’s stuff as well."