Sitting catching up with The Charlatans ace performance at Glastonbury 2019, sun high in the sky outside looking glorious, what better time to stick some words down about the new range from Pretty Green that celebrates good times with good friends under the sun and lights.
Disclaimer, if you don't like the range that's cool, this article ain't for you, no desire to change anyone's mind. As always with a full-on themed range it can split opinion, each to their own and all that. I like it, so I only have to justify my own opinion to my own wallet and my own wife.
Not all ranges can be the same recycled stuff, thank fuck for something a little different from time to time. Definitely one for the bolder among us. And why not.
In 1989 we were deep in the Summer of Love, or to be more accurate the SECOND Summer of Love. You were there or you weren't. The Smiley was everywhere as the rave and acid scene burst across everything, seaming itself into popular culture of the time. It wasn't just the out their coconut ravers indulging in '88 and '89, the Indie kids joined in as crossover bit into both sides of the guitar and dance scenes.
So much of the music we've loved over the last 30 years was conceived from this time. A time when Indie decided to have some fun and let a funkier dance vibe into its life.
The Second Summer of Love is of course the good-looking offspring of the original Summer of Love from the 60's, when the world decided to grow its hair out and let some love and laughter into their times
While the range sits in both camps, '89 was very much my time so I'm going to keep the focus there as the relevancy hits far easier.
Pretty Green have decided to revisit these times for their second collection alongside SMILEY. It's a Festival range, so fun is allowed. A bit of funk and colour is brought in to the styles, we're allowed to walk a little further over on the wild side. The looks lifted direct from '89 and any Festival you've ever been to where a little outrage is more than normal. Having trudged around more than enough Festival life, there is one thing for sure, the range is authentic.
A new pattern has been designed influenced from the oil lamp motifs of the 60's, very much loved in live projections. The colour palette is a direct lift from the late 80's and the Smiley generation.The pattern LAVA is given some Smiley hints throughout its print to create a new unique look.
Time to pick out a few eye tremblers for a deeper dive
Up first, the Cape! This new Cape from PG is a belter, pretty much the ideal Festival jacket. And a little smarter if you don't want to buy the usual ex-Army gear. It's been out for a while in green or yellow options, but for this capsule PG have applied their Smiley Lava print in a scorching orange and yellow palette. Not for the feint hearted, but certainly for those that don't want to look like everyone else. Likely not designed for your Saturday amble down to 'Spoons, but that's not what it's meant for is it. You can sling on your Harrington for that. Summer piece for high times with your mates.
Okay, I'm not daft, mad head patterns aren't for all. But if you want to get some Smiley into your life then the new Orange Parka could be the one for you. The Smiley life is allowed into the now ubiquitous hood lining utilising the Lava print to hit up some pattern on the colour block of the piece. And ye know, Orange is all the rage these days, especially Parka's, so get on it.
Personally loving the look of this one.
Can't deny, a certain love for this piece comes from its similarity to football kits from the 90's. Using the new Smoke Print in a monochrome print that is then framed with the Smiley yellow to pop some colour into the look. A belter. Not massively outrageous by the standards of today, but just enough to make it an interesting proposition.
If only the trim had been orange.....regardless, quite likely the next purchase.
Sometimes a nice slice of simplicity will hit the mark, this clever use of the 2 logo's creates an effortlessly cool t-shirt for those that want to be involved but aren't so keen on mad colours and patterns. A foot in both camps in a very nice and considered way. Just don't spill your fruit cider down the front of that dancing in the pub beer garden, you'll stain it.
Holy shit, it gets cold at a Festival when the sun goes down, you want to pack light so trudging from the bus park to the camp site isn't too knackering. Nothing better in the bag than a decent sweatshirt for the evenings back at the tent when the hours never end. Sweatshirt on, speaker turned up with The Verve action alongside a beer in your hand. Good times.
It's a Festival, you need a mad hat for your head. You don't want to get sunburn and fuck me you don't want to worry about the bed head damage after waking up in a bush with half a can of Cider in your hand wondering where one of your trainers has gone.
Last up, a pair of shorts, might be for wandering about in a scorching field, might be for lying next to the pool on your hollybobs, might even just be for out the back garden burning sausages and drinking Peroni. No denying, cool AF.
Thanks for reading............
Peace&Love&Mercy, theSub