How to wear this season’s plastic fashion trend

This spring and summer, garments are leaving little to the imagination

Loud and clear: Chanel’s S/S 2018 ready to wear collection (AFP/Getty)

To quote 90s Danish pop group Aqua, “life in plastic is fantastic”. Well, that’s what the fashion crowd are saying anyway.

One of the most unexpected trends to make its way from the runway to our wardrobes; plastic is having a serious high-fashion moment for spring/summer 2018. A synthetic fabric one typically associates with less glamorous objects like carrier bags, Tupperware and rain ponchos, plastic has now been elevated to the dizzying heights of some of our sartorial favourites.

Transparent water repellent raincoat, £29.99, Zara

At Chanel, a runway complete with waterfalls and streams inspired the Verdon Gorge saw models wearing everything from knee-high plastic boots and transparent hooded waterproof coats to seethrough gloves and matching wide-brimmed hats.

But Lagerfeld wasn’t the only designer repurposing the synthetic fabric. At Acne studios creative director Jonny Johansson showcased slick shirting against a backdrop of a giant shower curtain, while Burberry presented sheer plastic trenches and Balmain offered a printed black-and-transparent coat with matching booties.

Flowers transparent box clutch, £49.99, Mango

Of course, like many trends, wearing head-to-toe seethrough plastic looks great on the runway but just how easy is it to pull off in real life? The trick here is to work the trend around your everyday essentials one piece at a time.

Vinyl tote bag, £29.99, Zara

While a transparent raincoat or trench will serve the brave among you well, accessories are the most consumer-friendly way to wear this divisive trend. Whether you nod to it with a handbag, earrings or even a shoe, it turns out plastic is far more wearable than one might think.

Gianvito Rossi, Plexi 100 leather and PVC pumps, £525, Net-a-Porter

Clear purse belt, £24, Topshop