ALL SAINTS HAVE SHED THE CARGO PANTS AND A FAMOUS EX OR TWO AND THEY’RE BACK WITH A BANG

Comments (0) Fashion, Lifestyle

all saints, girl group

NANCY BUCKLAND KIRK REFLECTS ON SEVERAL DECADES WORTH OF REINVENTION FOR ALL SAINTS, THE GROUP THAT STARTED THE NATION’S LOVE AFFAIR WITH A GOOD VEST TOP PAIRED WITH A MILITARY-STYLE JACKET.

All Saints, the band not the label, are famous for jackets. At the height of their fame, they allegedly fell out over outerwear at a photo shoot and that was the end of not just the shoot, but the band. After a brief revival and a tongue-in-cheek video for Rock Steady, all film noir spy references and All Sinners shopping bags, came their ultimate return with Red Flag, in 2016. One Strike was instantly talked about, as the video featured Nicole Appleton dragging a green parka behind her. The song, written by Shaznay Lewis, was about the demise of her friend’s marriage to rock’s most famous khaki wearer. It is a song only a true friend could write for another. It was, and still is, magnificent.

Fast forward to 2018, and All Saints are back, with a fifth studio album, Testament, and a look which has adapted over time, but is still very much what the girls are all about. The Spice Girls were always the leaders of nineties female-led pop. Five girls auditioned separately, each was given a distinct character that made them instantly recognisable, and world domination awaited. Everyone, it seemed, was a fan. The songs were catchy, throwaway, and filled dance floors. Maybe not on the club scene, but certainly at every wedding, christening and family gathering for at least a decade.

All Saints were an altogether different proposition. Four friends, including two sisters, developed their now infamous image organically. In a world of pop princesses displaying increasingly provocative styles, Shaznay, Mel, Nicole and Natalie provided us with a different take. It was entirely casual, but with a huge hint of luxury shot through it. Their unstructured look was form fitting without being sexy, their hair was artfully highlighted and casually styled, and they had a don’t-mess-with-us attitude that didn’t need to be Scary to mean business. Now their past appearance is ultimately associated with the cargo pant, which always seems to be around in some shape or form, but theirs is a look that was so natural to them, that their 2018 appearance is just as relatable and wearable.

all saints, girl group

In Shaznay, the band has a songwriter extraordinaire. She spoke about heartbreak in a way that Britney Spears never could. In Mel, they have a singer with the voice of an angel. In the Appleton sisters, they have two harmonisers who added the final ingredient to a formula that still works. Now the band are really back on form, and touring and working together constantly, and the pressures which once drove them apart are replaced by the joys of bringing their children along with them, of not having to worry about the competition, nor the constant threat of younger, fresher faces.

For Testament, and their recent shows, including some absolute blasters at the Brixton Academy, they are an ode to casual chic once more. Greys, blacks and neutrals are swathed around them and the hair is still artfully undone. They are a style lesson for women in their forties, because they are giving an option that is absolutely achievable. It’s not all about the Dries Van Outen to join in the party. Next season’s staples are already hitting the shelves, and if you are a bit bored of looking at combustable Love Island ensembles, it may be a little warm to be trying on coats, but there’s no harm in looking.

Until then, Testament could very well be the soundtrack to your summer. Love Lasts Forever is perfect for poolside, and Glorious for getting ready. It’s an enduring piece of work that will ignite fans and hopefully win new ones amongst the teenage girls who are suddenly discovering the unique vocals of that original green parka wearer also. They may not know of the history, but that doesn’t matter. A good song is a good song, and a signature style lasts as long as love. And Zara have in some box fresh combats, with a low waist and a wide leg. Only this time I’ll be forgoing a crop top and Armani beanie and going for a wraparound jacket. And for that I’ll go to All Saints, and come out swinging, shopping bag beneath my shoulder, melodies driving me into Autumn.

About the author: Nancy Buckland Kirk is a writer with a keen interest in fashion and beauty and a career which has spanned modelling, teaching and spreading the word about leading beauty brands.

Related feature: Nancy Buckland Kirk’s skincare confessions.

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