You’ve probably noticed that the launch of Pokémon Go has prompted a nationwide wave of nostalgia. While actually playing the game might be a step too far for us – let’s be honest, who can be bothered to catch them all – there’s no shame in admiring the weird and wonderful characters of the Pokémon universe.
Fashion inspired by Pokémon Go! means the likes of Ponyta and Poliwhirl aren’t just lurking on the Strand or hovering in front of Vogue House: they’re on the catwalks, too. These colourful creatures have already conquered our smartphones, and now they’re invading our wardrobes.
From nuanced palettes to cartoonish shades, Pokémon Go style can be interpreted in varied and sophisticated ways. Go forth and score some major style combat points with these tips.
Creatures of colour
The animated characters come in a full spectrum of oversaturated hues, and none stand out more than Pikachu with its sunshine glow. A fashion parallel can be seen in Balenciaga’s use of shocking yellow as an accent to the array of greys in the label’s Pre-AW16 collection. Fashion inspired by Pokémon Go also appears in the gold tint of 70s-esque sunglasses on street-style blogs. Bella Hadid wore her Sonix pair with black Made Gold skinny jeans featuring lace-up details along the full length of the leg. She accessorised with a Givenchy bag in patent black leather.
For further tonal inspiration, look to Squirtle. This wide-eyed turtle offers style lessons from Pokémon Go by demonstrating how to wear a blue hue. Serenity, the light and airy shade deemed one of Pantone’s 2016 Colours of the Year, has made its way into various collections, including Stella McCartney dresses.
Blue beauty also made an impact on the SS16 catwalks. Cobalt lined the eyes at the Jonathan Saunders ready-to-wear show, as styled by renowned makeup artist Lucia Pieroni.
Poké-prints
Other elements of the Pokédex are cropping up on the catwalk. Butterfree’s wings have been mirrored in prints and embellishment including Valentino embroidered denim – from its high-waisted dungaree shorts to its flared five-pocket blue jeans. In fact, natural prints such as pretty petals are reigning supreme across the fashion industry.
Luxurious hints of Pokémon Go fashion can also be found on Persian, a sandy-hued feline figure. The character’s essence is reflected in this season’s animal prints, which encompass a range of patterns that can be effortlessly mixed and matched.
In true Roberto Cavalli style, the designer wove leopard, snake and tiger patterns into his AW16 ready-to-wear show, on super-long scarves and chunky fur coats. He showcased a similar interpretation of leopard print a year before, on items such as a pair of particularly eye-catching high-rise cotton flares.
Moschino’s has also utilised animal patterns in its Pre-S/S17 runway show, which featured a two-piece men’s suit and matching loafers in vibrant tiger stripes. For women, a Boutique Moschino silk-cashmere cardigans in a cocktail of big cat prints is an appealing wild card to add to your wardrobe.
Feminine finds
Hints of the Pokémon Clefairy pink have also cropped up. For Pre-SS17, Balmain’s off-the-shoulder split-leg jumpsuits and maxi dresses are available in a glossy deep magenta. Erdem went for dusky rose for the same season with structured midi skirts and jackets, brought to life with an overlay of opulent gold patterns. All that’s needed is a salmon-toned Chloé bag in leather to complete the Clefairy look.
Pantone’s second 2016 Colour of the Year, Rose Quartz, worked its way into Chanel’s Pre-SS17 collection. Models in powder-pink blazers teamed with pastel plaid pencil skirts walked alongside those in smartly tailored blush-coloured shorts. Fashion inspired by Pokémon Go! also graced the red carpet, as shades of pink were seen at the Golden Globes. Cate Blanchett’s fringed floor-length Givenchy gown with a chintz pattern and soft hue brought a touch of 1920s elegance to the event.
Vileplume, sporting a bold red flower on its head that wouldn’t look out of place at Royal Ascot, brings a rural feel to Pokémon Go style. Giambattista Valli’s SS16 show for Moncler Gamme Rouge also took inspiration from the countryside, with a garden meadow backdrop where accents of red were displayed alongside white floral lace and leafy green embroidery.
Levelling up
Ninetales’ spectacular foxtail plumage leads the pack in terms of shock factor. The vixen Pokémon nods to the hard edges of the punk-influenced SS16 collection from Haider Ackermann, where sleek and skinny leather trousers were teamed with ruffled tulles and velvets. Models were crowned with colourful mohawks not too dissimilar from a show-stopping tail.
Charmander’s flame can be seen in the warm fiery tones that graced countless catwalks in the same season. Sheer orange and yellow fabrics took on a tougher, rebellious feel with frayed edges at Alberta Ferretti SS16. Dresses were teamed with swirl-patterned gold gladiator sandals, adding an extra-warm glow.
Among other fashionable Pokémon Go characters is the bundle of blue Oddish, a radish-shaped creature capped with a leaf green headpiece. The poster child – or poster creature, if you will – for non-conformist trailblazers can be seen in vibrant collections, from Moschino to Dolce & Gabbana. Nodding to Ninetales, Charmander or Oddish, a lively Etro clutch in a multihued print will provide a burst of colour.