Statement Shoulders (From The Argus)

Statement Shoulders

5:29pm Monday 2nd November 2009

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by Ellie Moss

This week get glammed up eighties-stylee for a taste of power dressing courtesy of this season’s most talked about trend, ‘big’ shoulders.

Personally the idea of shoulder pads in any shape or form had me terrified and running for the flounciest, girliest dress I could find. Androgynous dressing is not my favourite look at the best of times, I’m a girly girl at heart and panic at a lack of frills and florals.

I was convinced that nothing would get me into a power-trip inducing Dallas style get up designed to make me look like an American football player at a team awards dinner.

I couldn’t get my head around a trend that I was sure would make me look bigger and butcher than any man in the room. Pictures of size zero skinnys modelling the trend did nothing to allay my fears...It’s all very well to have shoulders the size of a rugby player’s if you got a figure that could put Cheryl Cole to shame.

However I may have been a bit presumptuous to rule out this tricky trend so early on. After a good trawl around the shops and some excellent street style finds, myself and my fellow fashionistas here at SEE have found a variety of ways in which shoulders can be used to their best advantage this season...and not all of them involve shoulder pads.

My pick of the week was a bit of a last minute panic buy for a night out in Brighton, but has become a wardrobe staple for a Friday night. I like the fact that I can do the shoulder trend and still be girly in this frilly, silky top from River Island. It's also great if you want to show a bit of skin on top without wearing something low cut.

Emma: “Any new trend which promises to draw attention away from the hip and thigh area is almost certain to get my vote and the statement shoulder is no exception. As a child of the eighties (with a power-dressing mum to boot) I love a good blazer – and now that this wardrobe staple has gone all space-age, I couldn’t wait to give it a try... My favourite find of the week is this structured grey River Island number – at £49.99 it’s an affordable way to add a little bit of edge to any outfit.”

Sarah: “After searching the high street for weeks on end for a velvet jacket with statement shoulders I gave up hope and headed to where I belong, charity shops. I found this in Eastbourne for £5. It was a very long dress before I attacked it with some scissors to make it shorter. I cut it through the middle to make it a jacket and hemmed the edges. I then bought my own shoulder pads and bingo. I have my very own, personal, velvet jacket, that no-one else will have. I promise you it is easier than it seems and didn’t take long at all.”

Now knock ‘em dead with those statement shoulders and don’t forget to check our street style section for more great ways to work this trend.