Benetton S/S 2013 collection: A pop of colour and earth-bound prints

Known for not being shy when it comes to colour, Benetton has dotted its spring/summer collections with geometrical/ethnic patterns and florals. Both the men’s and women’s collections have bursts of colour contrasted with prints to add a touch of individuality.

Femininity and modern silhouettes are key themes for the women’s collection. The first inspiration is called Art Folk Mood, where cotton linen incorporates 80s geometrical tailoring for jackets and trousers in white, black and fuchsia. Global Folk Mood throws spicy saffron and lime together with oriental tribal patterns, affecting the garments’ shapes and colours. Bringing it back to nature, Eco Folk takes sun-faded pastels of blue, salmon and pink and adds them to rich yarn patterns, while bottoms have a more androgynous feel. 

For the men’s collection, the same three themes apply with traditional rules of male dress being key, overlapping the casual and formal lines. Art Folk Mood encompasses the graphical elements of the 80s, lending itself to classic suits in blue, black and white, while casual touches of bright sky blue and emerald green are added to t-shirts and shirts. The Global Folk Mood changes to the individual being the traveller, as canvas and nylon are used to de-structure jackets and trench coats. Colourful bottoms and travel bags in bordeaux and ochre brighten the look. Vintage aspects are added to light-weight fabrics for Eco Folk and work wear silhouettes are matched with military touches in palettes of blue, adding interest to this easy-going look. 

With colour being key to Benetton’s message, you can choose items from the new collection that will not only fit the season, but also your mood. 

Zehre Rushby