The Skinny: Latest

Back in fashion: the return of Skinny Jeans

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 12:36:41 +0100

We bring back our fashion column from 2007 to speak to anonymous informants about Big Fashion's relationship with Scotland

Dare To Be Different with Crazy Color

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 14:00:00 +0100

We meet some of the DIY dyers involved in Crazy Color's Dye to Defy campaign and find out why self-expression through hair colour is so important to them

From Shanghai With Love: Chinese Culture, Scottish Fashion

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 12:08:59 +0100

Fashion show and exhibition From Shanghai With Love continues to celebrate Chinese culture at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Body Beautiful on fashion, diversity and representation

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Mon, 06 May 2019 12:00:00 +0100

A new exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland is the first of its kind to examine diversity within the fashion industry. We speak to its curator about assembling Body Beautiful

Meet the Faces of Byres Road with Ace & Tate

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 16:39:00 +0100

Ahead of Dutch eyewear specialist Ace & Tate opening its new shop on Byres Road – the brand's first in Scotland – we meet some of the people they’ll be joining in the bustling community of Glasgow’s West End

Ace & Tate have eyewear for every side of you

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Thu, 03 May 2018 18:00:00 +0100

With free eye tests in stores, a free home-try on service and prices starting at £98 for lenses and frames, looking good's never been so easy thanks to Ace and Tate.

Local Heroes' Scottish Knit & Woven Textile Design

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 14:41:00 +0000

In Local Heroes' ongoing tour of outstanding Scottish design we turn to knitted and woven textiles to report on the individual designers and studios doing the most exciting things in this sector

Celebrate Christmas with Topman

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 16:27:00 +0000

Christmas is on its way, and with that comes an array of events and nights out where you'll need to look your best. But how do you balance that need for new threads with the most expensive time of year? Topman has the answer.

Shop Local: Design Gift Guide 2016

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 15:52:00 +0000

As thoughts turn to Christmas gifts, we asked a few of our favourite Scottish designers to lend us some of their beautiful wares, focussing on small batch, handmade production, with ethically sourced materials

Christmas gift guide: Northern artists and makers

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 11:28:00 +0000

With – dare we say it – Christmas around the corner, we collect some of our favourite local designers from Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds together for some festive shopping inspiration. Scroll through the gallery above and find out more about them below.

Wear It So Well: Student Fashion Hacks

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 15:25:00 +0100

Make your own face masks out of porridge and PVA glue! Turn those jeans into really unflattering hotpants! Fed up of getting rubbish advice when it comes to saving money? Here at The Skinny we like to keep things a little more real

Comfort in Music

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 17:05:00 +0100

As much fun as it indubitably is, the Edinburgh Fringe can feel like a drain on many things. Your funds, for a start; a capital city caught in the grip of festival fever is an expensive place. It’ll also try your patience, as anyone who’s attempted to negotiate the tortoise-like pedestrian traffic of the Royal Mile on an August Saturday will attest. Still, the most underappreciated drain applies to an underappreciated area, that already gets more than its fair share of wear and tear. That’s right, YOUR FEET.

Unlike London or Paris, Scotland’s capital is not a vast, sprawling metropolis, but the spread of Fringe venues covers the city centre and bleeds out into the outskirts. From Newhaven to Danderhall; Abercorn to Musselburgh, it takes over a fair chunk of this notably hilly city, and if you’re planning on walking anywhere, you can bet your feet will begin to feel the strain.

That’s why this year I’m casting those trusty ol’ trainers’n’plimsolls aside and trying out something more durable. Over three days of gigs at Edinburgh’s Summerhall venue – at the opposite end of town to my New Town abode – I’m going to walk to and from each show in a sturdier shoe, testing my heels’ endurance with a day of Fringin’ followed by an evenin’ of standin’ and watchin’ and listenin’. For this task, I will require something durable yet comfortable, so I’m trying out the Cavendish shoe from Dr. Martens’ Lite range; stylish enough to give the illusion of their enduring classic footwear, but without the sometimes painful experience of ‘breaking them in’. See, I’ve thought about this.

First thoughts on trying them on: these doesn’t feel like your standard Docs. Much as I love my ol’ cherry red 1460 boots – they’ve become a virtual second skin during the winter months – it took a fair few weeks to wear them in. These, however, are soft and cushioned – comfy from the off. Is this really going to be the challenge I thought it was? Only one way to find out…

Day One

After a long day’s wandering, I arrive at Summerhall for the first of the shows and realise there’s something missing, chiefly the dull ache of a long day’s schlep around the city centre. Still, as you’ll know if you’ve ever stood on the hard floor of a concert hall for several hours, there’s still plenty of time for that to kick in as the evening progresses.

As it turns out, I’m ready for many things this evening: the swooping sturm und drang of Edinburgh sextet Broken Records' more grandiose moments; the love in the room as a group of local favourites deliver a triumphant set… what I’m not prepared for, however, is dancing. As the crowd surrounding me begins to cut some serious rug to the band’s grandly dramatic racket, I’m overcome with visions of being shoved from my vantage point by stray elbows. ‘My poor feet,’ I begin to think, before realising that the gig is nearly over and I’ve still not detected what I had imagined to be inevitable agony. Pretty certain I should be gritting my teeth by this point, and ruing the day I agreed to this venture. But no, I’ve had a lovely time and my heels are distinctly unblistered; my toes remarkably uncramped. What gives?

Day Two

After another few hours of trudging around Auld Reekie, I’m starting to wonder what’s going on. Everything I’ve ever learned about exercise tells me that things should feel worse the following day; if anything I feel better. More relaxed. Is this really what happens when you wear a shoe that combines a substantial, durable sole with a cushioned interior? Even the leather – so often the cause of so much wear and tear on the skin while new – is softer. I’m starting to wonder what on earth I’ve been doing to my feet by wearing flimsy sneakers for all these years. Think of the damage that could’ve been avoided…

Still, if there’s one way to trial this newfound endurance, it’s by watching 40 minutes of ambient techno. At half eight in the evening. On a warm Sunday. In the end, Ben Chatwin’s set is a thing of sheer beauty (Tim Hecker-ish soundscapes merging into his own dystopian vision), but as ever when watching a man pushing buttons, I find myself nervously fidgeting and rocking back and forth on my heels. The razorwire tension of headliners Suuns is no better for those nerves but gets toes-a-tapping; as ever they exist in frequently altering locations on the venn diagram of rock and electronica, equally fluent in each language and forever merging the two to different extremes. Ordinarily at this stage of a gig, I’d be saying it’s kept my drifting attention away from my throbbing feet, but nope, everything’s still A-ok in that department. Hmm, aren’t I supposed to be breaking these in? When? How? NOTHING HURTS.

Day Three

By the final day of this experiment, I’m already coming to the conclusion that this is just the way things are going to stay. My feet are perfectly comfortable, no matter how far I walk, and I’m beginning to banish all thought of other footwear to the dustbin of memory. A nice soothing evening watching reformed California indie vets Grandaddy should be enough to cap what’s been a remarkably soothing few days for our feet… but wait! For the first time this week, I find myself in the midst of a full-to-capacity crowd determined to pogo itself into oblivion, and in these situations it’s either join in or retreat dejectedly to the back of the room.

Panic sets in. This, surely, will be the moment to tip things over the edge… But nope, guess again. I’m actually all the more bouncy thanks to that thick rubber sole, and as the hard Summerhall floor becomes one giant trampoline, while a euphoric blast through the band’s enduring classic Summer Here Kids rings out, I’m as comfy as I’ve been all week. I walk home at the end of the night, my feet still far less heavy than my now-drooping eyelids, and ponder that this three-day experiment has taught me a valuable lesson in shoes. Sleek, classic and endlessly comfortable: my feet have a new pair of best friends.

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Local Heroes celebrate Scottish design

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 13:03:51 +0100

Looking for a brief introduction to contemporary Scottish design? Local Heroes are here with a range of original souvenirs

XpoNorth: Jewellery designer Heather McDermott

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 17:00:00 +0100

Heather McDermott began selling her own jewellery at the tender age of 12 and hasn't looked back since. Ahead of her exhibition at XPo North, we learn a little more about her work and the influence of her Skye surroundings

Spotlight: Lauren Eliza

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Fri, 27 May 2016 17:21:04 +0100

Blurring the lines between fashion and art, Heriot-Watt graduate Lauren Eliza takes gender fluidity as the focal point for her new collection

ECA Degree Show 2016: Performance Costume Design

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Mon, 16 May 2016 17:14:00 +0100

From epic Icelandic folktales to Caryl Churchill's explorations of feminist power structures, this year's Performance Costume graduates explore a fascinating array of sources and themes

ECA Fashion Show 2016

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Fri, 13 May 2016 13:30:00 +0100

Ahead of Edinburgh College of Art's annual runway presentation, we pick a few highlights from SHOW 2016

Fashion Month 2016: The Trends

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 16:30:00 +0100

Following another hectic Fashion Month, we look at the themes across Paris, New York, London and Milan, with 1970s and 80s influences featuring strongly.

Find Your Festival Style

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 14:26:00 +0100

Anyone who has ever navigated the choppy and changeable waters of planning the perfect festival wardrobe knows the distracting twinge of sartorial dread that comes with a ticket to a weekender. Fashion changes, the weather changes, even your motherflippin’ mind changes, and for that reason it’s nigh-on impossible to get your festival packing totally right. But the days of dolefully Googling ‘what to take to Glastonbury’ and individually scouring millions of high street shops, before giving up and panic-buying a kimono and temporary tattoos are over. Here’s why.

In order to make shopping for your jaunt as stress-free and exciting as it bloody well should be, we’ve teamed up with Zalando, an online shop which stocks basically every designer under the sun (potentially an exaggeration). Together, we’ve put together a list of packing essentials and festival-friendly trends so that whether you’re traumatised from falling over in a portaloo thanks to an ill-advised jumpsuit (we’ve all been there), have seen your maxi dress turn into a litmus test thanks to Glasto mud, or once narrowly avoided trenchfoot after being adamant that ‘T in the Park is definitely not going to be torrential this year’, your trauma can end now. Let’s do this.

Festival Essentials

Wellies

Sure, a pair of Hunters will do you if the mud’s set to get heavyweight. But a pair of more streamlined Vikings could be a pretty cool alternative if you fancy something that doesn’t scream, ‘I thought Macklemore was headlining.’ Docs will serve you well for city-type festivals too.

Sunglasses

Imperative. They’ll hide your day-old eyeliner, protect your poor dilated pupils, and you can even deploy them in overcast weather to warn fellow humans you’re only open to conversations which result in receipt of coffee or paracetamol. Spend a little more on some high-end stunners and rest assured that you could pair them with a noodle-stained sweater and still look the height of chic. Or, if you’re the type who’ll drunkenly sit on them by Saturday lunchtime, go for functional-yet-cool from the likes of Cheap Monday.

Jacket

There are two types of festival coat-wearers in this world: those who embrace the role the coat can play in a festival outfit and those who despise it. If you fall into the latter camp, try a transparent anorak which’ll keep you dry while showcasing the meticulously selected ensemble that lies beneath. If you’re all about the statement festi-coat, perhaps go for a pastel parka or a utilitarian midi jacket. Don’t be lured in by bombers and leather jackets; you’ll be furious as soon as the sun comes out and you realise you can’t tie your coat around your waist.

Bag

Fair enough, sling whichever huge, heinous backpack you want over your shoulder on the way to the festival. Comfort is key when queueing for your campsite. However, a whole new world of options opens up when you’re picking the bag that’ll be storing your phone, money and rain-damaged festival programme. The delightfully cute mini rucksacks popping up all over the place are perfect as they’re not too cumbersome within big crowds; just keep an eye out for naughty pick-pocketers trying to swipe your stuff. That said, the safest and comfiest option will always remain the trusty bucket bag. Wide enough to fit your essentials, it’s fashion’s answer to a Mary Poppins satchel. You can also tuck it under your jacket if you’re trying to mosh and are worried about your belongings. Festival bonus points if it has a drawstring and/or tassels.

Hat

We can’t stop you from wearing an ‘ironic’ floral bucket hat. Nor a Native American headpiece. We can, however, point you in the direction of sport-luxe caps from Nike and Adidas, classic beanies and knot-tied wool turbans, all guaranteed to keep you warm, dry and free from three-day hair shame.

Festival-Friendly Trend Pieces

Lightweight denim: Not only a hot tip from SS16, but also extremely handy due to the fact that lightweight denim dries after cider spillages a whole lot quicker than heavy denim.

Cold shoulders: According to London and NY Fashion week, your shoulders are well and truly welcome to the fashion party this summer. Combine with the kinds of puffy sleeves dreamed up by Jil Sanders and Givenchy and bingo, you’ve got a double-trend, sun-saluting ensemble. If you’re a little nervous to go full romantics (or if it’s freezing), opt for a cold shoulder sweater as a subtle nod to the look.

Netting: Alexander Wang, Simone Rocha and Marchesa have been experimenting with everything from structured and gridded fabric to punky fishnet à la 90s Gwen Stefani of late. If you’re feeling brave or are headed to a sunny destination, give this look a shot by layering a long sleeved netted number over a statement crop top. Otherwise, channel the trend via a skirt or statement tights.

Fringing: Yes, would you believe it, tassels are still a thing. They’ve made a grand old festival comeback, just less 70s chopped suede and more fine-threaded border fringing.That’s handy for your festival packing, isn’t it?

Metallics: Sure, it’s probably not in your best interests to channel Loewe’s broken mirror embellishments from SS16, but that doesn’t mean you can’t wrap yourself in something shiny and glisten with festival spirit. Go for a reflective miniskirt or some amazing sparkly denim, and wham bam you’re the hippest drunkard in the silent disco tent.

Win a £250 Zalando voucher with The Skinny!

Read Zalando's guide to 2016's best festivals

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Love Your Trainers? Laces Out comes to Liverpool

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 15:13:00 +0000

Whether you’re loyal to Air Max or worship at the altar of the Yeezy Boost, trainers have become status symbols, markers of signature styles, emblems of wider cultural trends – and are truly having a moment. Now there's even a trainer festival: Laces Out!

Edinburgh Fashion Week 2016: Style Capital

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 11:21:00 +0000

As Edinburgh Fashion Week returns, with the Edinburgh Charity Fashion Show in tow, we consider the event's individual flair and take a look at what's in store.

Rosie Sugden: Cashmere Queen

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 15:58:00 +0000

Rosie Sugden's designs can now be found far beyond their Edinburgh origins – we find out more about a designer with a sharp eye for minutiae.

Valentine's gift ideas in Manchester and Liverpool

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 18:07:00 +0000

Keep it local this Valentine's Day by doing your last-minute gift shopping in Manchester or Liverpool's many boutiques. From handmade jewellery to screenprinted homeware, we've selected six items from some of our favourite makers and shops. For the tardy shoppers among you, consider your last-minute Valentine's gifts covered!

1. Wonderhaus Geo Spike earrings – £35

wonderhaus.co.uk
You can't go wrong with jewellery and Wonderhaus's Geo Spike earrings from the Tough Love collection will help your Valentine stand out from the crowd. Obsessed by colour and form, Julia Roy Williams creates bold jewellery in her studio in the Manchester Craft and Design Centre.

2. deLacy Mercury Copper shoulder bag – £70

delacyonline.com
Coming in bright and metallic colours such as copper, silver, eye-popping pink and sunshine yellow as well as the more traditional black, every deLacy bag, wallet and accessory is uniquely designed, cut and sewn by craftsman Edward de Lacy in Manchester.

3. Studio Up smoke and orange throw – £108

covetinteriors.co.uk/studioup
Picture the scene – you're snuggled up in front of the fire with your S.O., with this chunky smoky-grey wool blanket from Studio Up (Lucinda Hankin) keeping you extra cosy.

4. Lead or Dead handmade pencil case – £45

leadordead.com
The perfect gift for the stationery addict and the organised. Lead or Dead even do a beautiful bespoke wedding-invite design service, if this Valentine's Day goes particularly well...

5. Selina Campbell small thorn bracelet – £45

selinacampbell.com
Love is like a red, red rose... how about the thorn to match? Available in oxidised black silver as well as the more traditional white silver.

6. Dr. Martens Pascal boot, Valentine's Day limited edition – £110

drmartens.com/uk
And if your S.O. is in need of some new footwear, snap up these suitably romantic boots from Dr. Martens. A bright new colourway for the iconic Pascal design, there'll be no mistaking these for your everyday shoes.

More from The Skinny:

Soundtrack your day with our 14 alternative Valentine's songs...

...and snuggle up with one of our recommended romantic films

Glasgow School of Art Fashion Show 2016

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 14:58:00 +0000

GSA's Fashion & Textiles students present a diverse show on the theme of Geometry

10 Valentine's Day Presents That Don't Suck

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 15:54:00 +0000

It doesn’t have to be all hearts and chocolates, though we’d happily take both. Valentine’s Day is time to embrace the kitsch, so whether you’re looking for something for your S.O. or just want to treat yo’self, we’ve picked our favourite indie heroes that will have even the most hardened cynic feeling the warm and fuzzies.

1. Catherine Aitken Pansy make-up bag – £27.50

catherineaitken.com
Edinburgh’s tweed queen has a range of pocket-friendly forever pieces that are sure to last, even if your relationship doesn’t. Coming in acid brights, brushed pastels, the berry red is perfect when looking to set hearts alight.

2. Helen Ruth Mermaid Scarf – £165

helenruth.co.uk
For the fairytale romance, pick up one of Helen Ruth’s silk hand rolled scarves. Based on some of Scotland’s darker folklore, this is for romantics who like their stories bittersweet and beautiful.

3. Kochiba Lomond – £120

kochibanation.com
Never be late for a date again. Kochiba’s watches are an elegant style solution for the fashion lover with a heart of gold. With a portion of their profits going to Womankind you can do good and look good.

4. Rommydemommy Donut bag – £119

Rommydemommy has broke the internet with her range of kitschy food shaped bags. With bags as varied as candy floss to salads, to blocks of cheese, there’s something to scratch every itch here. 2016 is the year of the donut right?

5. John and Pearl Gunmetal arrow necklace – £64

Shoot an arrow straight into your lovers heart with this gunmetal arrow necklace by John and Pearl. The Scottish design team create costume jewellery that you’ll want to keep forever.

6. Ocelot Chocolate, raspberry and vanilla 70% chocolate £6

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Chocolate is an all rounder for Valentine’s Day and this Edinburgh company is our top pick. How could you not completely fall in love with their gorgeous graphic packaging? Will satisfy even the biggest food snob.

7. Crown and Glory Liberace heart clip – £15

crownandglory.co.uk
If you’re looking for something a little bit more traditional we can go down the hearts route with Crown and Glory. The Liberace Clips are perfect for lovers of OTT sparkle and will lift any Valentine’s Look.

8. Bob by Dop – £160

Scottish scarf designer Karen Mabon collaborates with vintage lover and media heavyweight Dawn O’Porter for the “Equality Collection.” Celebrating equal love around the world and through the ages the capsule collection a variety of couples from artists, astronauts and salsa dancers. In the end love wins.

9. E.Y.I Love Love One Another rose gold copper and marble print – £35

E.Y.I Love Studio is perfect for any calligraphy addict. Their contemporary clean prints are like something out of a pinterest moodboard. Mixing copper and marble, you can pick one of their own prints or get something custom specially made up.

10. Gant Porcelain Print Shirt – £45

Sometimes you really can say it with flowers. For the boyfriend shirt you want to steal pick up this porcelain print inspired number.

There you have it – no excuses!

Designer Spotlight: Mags Walker of Toolally

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 16:49:00 +0000

Yorkshire jewellery brand Toolally enjoyed a dizzying 2015, with an appearance in Vogue, stockists signing up from all over the world and rapid sales at fashion events. Creative director Mags Walker tells us what's in store for the New Year

The Fashion Bloggers' Gift Guide: Christmas 2015

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 16:03:00 +0000

Not sure what to get your loved ones this Christmas? We spoke to some fashion bloggers to see if they had any handy hints...

London Fashion Week S/S 2016

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 17:30:00 +0100

Shirley Manson and a fascination with Asia: spotting the themes at London Fashion Week's S/S 2016 shows.

Student Fashion: Back to School

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 12:45:00 +0100

Academic inspiration to ensure your fashion sense graduates with first class honours.

Glasgow School of Art MDes Fashion Promenade 2015

hello@theskinny.co.uk (The Skinny) — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 09:00:00 +0100

We look ahead to the MDes Fashion Promenade, the opening event of GSA's graduate presentation.