How To Dress Like A Spice Girl (With A Thoroughly Modern Twist)
In honour of the new retrospective of their style, we offer a modern refresh to the Spice Girls' wardrobes: here's the best way to dress like the Nineties icons with new-season appeal Make what you will of Victoria’s spandex bodycon, or Geri’s dodgy highlights, but one simple fact remains indisputably true: the dress codes of the Spice Girls were era-defining, and remain deeply ingrained within the consciousness of anyone who grew up listening to autotuned cassettes or watching Spice World on VHS. Nineties nostalgia has long been in fashion (Buffalo trainers are back at Browns; Kylie’s Latte lipliner hardly stays in stock; cycling shorts and bum bags are everywhere) but a direct recreation of their respective aesthetics isn't particularly appealing to even the staunchest fans. So, in honour of the SpiceUp exhibition, here we present how to update their distinct wardrobes with a more contemporary appeal, and in less synthetic fabrications. We suggest touring the exhibition in suitable style.
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Mel B had a particular proclivity for baring her breasts at any conceivable opportunity: low-slung leopard print onesies; leather jackets without a top underneath; leopard-print lingerie worn as outwear. Raey's clean-cut, zip-down dress offers the perfect opportunity to reveal as much or as little as you choose – and, worn with Saint Laurent's zebra pumps and a chic black bag, you can channel all of her loud-and-proud appeal without risking a public indecency warning. Luckily for Mel, an abundance of clashing animal print is particularly on-trend – so feel free to go wild.
From left to right, Raey zip front leopard print dress, £495 at Matchesfashion.com, Céline purse bag, £2,400 at 24sevres.com, Saint Laurent Anja zebra print pumps, £640 at Net-a-porter.com, Jennifer Fisher gold-plated hoop earrings, £445 at Net-a-porter.com, Charlotte Tilbury eyeliner pen, £22 at Charlottetilbury.com.
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The other Spice Girl who ought to feel particularly at ease for autumn/winter 2018 is Sporty – after all, luxe athleisure has become a staple component in contemporary wardrobes and a tracksuit has been decreed acceptable for nearly every occasion. Wear with a neon Prada bum-bag (a flash of colour will easily update your look) and a nylon corset to keep from looking like you haven't even tried.
From left to right: Adidas Tiro tracksuit, £62.95 at Adidas.co.uk, Prada nylon belt bag, £680 at Prada.com, Topshop gold hoop earrings, £7 at Topshop.com, Prada leather trimmed corset, £605 at Prada.com, Redken anti shine polishing milk, £16 at Feelunique.com.
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If anyone knows how to transform black bodycon into something resolutely contemporary, it's The Row – the brand's ruched, off-shoulder dresses are the perfect modern manifestation of Victoria's Nineties favourites. But the key to updating her glammed-up aesthetic is to keep it simple: Chanel's Les Beiges gives a fresh, dewy glow rather than that slightly caked-on look she favoured, and accessories should appear similarly clean and chic. Less is more.
From left to right: The Row midi dress, £789 at Farfetch.com, Chanel Les Beiges touch-up set, £95 at Chanel.com, Jimmy Choo black Lancer 85 patent pumps, £525 at Farfetch.com , Victoria Beckham wallet on chain, £750 at Victoriabeckham.com, Victoria Beckham tortoiseshell sunglasses, £275 at Victoriabeckham.com.
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2018's Ginger Spice need look no further than Halpern for an update on high-octane glamour; fashion's new darling offers sequins galore, but cut for fresh appeal. A thigh-high sock boot will stop from baring too much flesh, and Fenty's Lip Paint will outlast even the most pronounced lip-sync performance. But one rule must be adhered to: avoid striped highlights at all cost.
From left to right: Jimmy Choo metallic leather clutch, £650 at Net-a-porter.com, Halpern sequin covered cold-shoulder dress, £1,825 at Net-a-porter.com , Topshop tassel earrings £12.50 at Topshop.com, Fenty Beauty stunna lip paint, £19 at Harveynichols.com, Balenciaga stretch-knit thigh boots, £1,325 at Net-a-porter.com.
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During a time when girlishness has been reclaimed as a political statement, and millennial pink shows no sign of waning, Baby Spice style takes on a whole new meaning. Today, Shrimps' beaded bags; Marques'Almeida's feathered dresses and Buffalo boots needn't be worn with a simpering attitude – so embrace the sweet pastels, but none of the infantilisation.
From left to right: Marques Almeida asymmetric dress, £1,111 at Farfetch.com, Simone Rocha crystal earrings £395 at Mytheresa.com, Nars Dual Intensity eyeshadow, £21 at Spacenk.com, Buffalo 60 patent leather platform, £145 at Brownsfashion.com, Shrimps beaded bag, £815 at Farfetch.com.
