Article of the week: the heart motif

What is it:

After Valentine’s Day, the heart motif seems to be an ‘item of the week’ that has already gone out of fashion. But the look, thought to be a little cheesy, has received a fashion update for the coming seasons. Numerous creatives have taken it up and revised it with new, more experimental designs. While luxury brands showcased the heart trend with elegant prints and avant-garde silhouettes, retail often sees it in the form of embellishments, embroidery and patches that interpret the motif in a fresh way.

Image: Madewell

Why you should order it:

The modern twist brings the heart motif to a new, younger audience that’s heavily influenced by trends and likes to look ‘cute’. This fits in with the still popular ‘Barbiecore’ trend inspired by the forthcoming Greta Gerwig film. This trend has resulted in the doll becoming something of a fashion statement and loving it: pink! The heart motif is easily associated with this trend and ties effortlessly to Barbie and her signature looks.

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Image: Happy Socks

Where we saw it:

The way the heart motif was used in SS23 collections depended on the label. Acne Studios and Victoria Beckham embraced the trend with oversized yet intricate details – Acne used oversized hearts as layered elements, while Beckham recreated it with ruffles and pleats. Nensi Dojaka embraced the heart by using the shape as a ‘centerpiece’ for her lingerie-like slip dresses, making a statement. Paul & Joe chose the heart for pastel prints and let the shape flow down flowing dresses. Moschino, in turn, presented the heart as a 3D patch, heart-shaped cut-outs and heart-shaped accessories.

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Image: Simmie

How to style it: In general, the heart can be a tricky subject as its impact depends heavily on the way it is incorporated into a look. It mustn’t be too cheesy and should be countered a bit. But it can also be integrated through embroidery, prints, embellishments and other techniques, so that it can be adapted to any taste. Hearts can also be adopted in the form of accessories, such as heart-shaped bags or shoes. In addition, a garment with a heart print can be combined with colors that fit the trend, such as pink and red, which can contrast well with dark tones.

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Image: Moschino

Not only is the heart motif the perfect addition to a Valentine’s Day range, but it also fits well with this year’s ongoing fashion trends, meaning it will continue to be relevant for months to come. Take heart!

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Image: Hurley

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This article was previously similarly published on FashionUnited.uk.

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