With Notting Hill Carnival taking place this weekend, we’ve taken a look at what you can expect if you’re going and what to wear to the capital’s most attended street party.
Conceived in 1964 as a way for Afro-Caribbean communities to celebrate their cultures and traditions in the capital, the carnival has since evolved into the largest street festival in Europe. The initial concept of the carnival pays homage to the parades and celebrations which were rife throughout the Caribbean during the early 19th century. Today the carnival goes further than this and welcomes people from all cultures and communities to enjoy the colourful sights, mixture of sounds and joyous party that takes place every August bank holiday weekend.
What to Expect
At the Notting Hill Carnival you can expect some incredible street food, just imagine the best jerk chicken or curried goat with rice and peas. The carnival is also renowned for its unique Caribbean music with steel bands, calypso rhythms and exhilarating live performances. The event is highly policed though do not allow this to dissuade your attendance, the police see the carnival as a way to improve public relations so don’t be surprised to see the occasional officer enjoying the music too.
What to Wear – Men
In our style guide for Notting Hill Carnival we have catered for a variety of tastes. Whether you’re willing to embrace the vibrant colours of the celebrations or take preference to more refined and casual choices we have something for you.
The first look combines the bold orange of the Adidas Pharrell Williams track jacket (83019) with the casual rips and fading of the DSquared2 Stonewash Cool Guy jeans beneath (84424), we have completed the look with the exquisite white Tia Low Mason Garments trainers (85719).
The next choice is more casual yet shows that you can still look good without wearing an abrasively bright outfit. This style comes with a white Thom Krom double layer t-shirt (85320) set with some Hugo by Hugo Boss grey 734 jeans (88198) paired with the red Omega trainers from Android Homme (83529).
This outfit has a more athletic feel with street inspirations, we match this grey Adidas sleeveless hoodie (88380) with some camouflage True Religion shorts (81905) and complete the look with a faultless addition of some off-white Adidas Superstar 80s deluxe trainers (83422).
This choice is aimed at those who wish to look good without appearing to try too hard, we have put a white Y-3 floral design t-shirt (83319) on top to subtly fit in with the celebrations but then accompanied this with the relaxed look of some black Adidas SST sweatpants (84403) and completed the ensemble with some black Adidas ZX Flux trainers (83455).
If you’re looking for something more refined and casual then this selection is for you, starting off with a yellow Acne Studios T-Shirt (81417) above some black True Religion Ricky Logo shorts (81877) and a pair of Android Homme Black Low Propulsion Trainers (83551).
The final look is for those of you who shy away from colourful attire, coming with a Blood Brother short sleeve hoodie (88414) upon some Replay black Anbass jeans (83364) offset by an injection of red from the Android Homme Omega Low Trainers (84312).
Accessorise your style
Complete your outfit in style with this range of accessories perfect for the biggest street event of the year. We have opted for: Versus Versace Multi-Pattern Backpack (80610), Vivienne Westwood navy small leather bag (86944), Super by Retrosuperfuture black flat top sunglasses (81507), True Religion red logo cap (80222), McQ by Alexander McQueen blue woven croc backpack (84157), Ray-Ban gunmetal aviator sunglasses (81359), G-Shock red neo-metallic watch (89775) and True Religion black perforated leather branded belt (83661).
What to Wear – Women
For women we have also featured a real variety of looks. We have catered for the understated style, then offered something vibrant and in turn opted for a provocative look that falls in line with the essence of the carnival. Whatever your tastes may be, we have you covered.
Our first look is for those of you who aren’t keen on bright colours but still want to show that you’ve got style, we’ve combined a Joseph black tie dress (71577) with a pair of See by Chloe flat cross sandals (70534).
Dungarees are a faultless choice for the carnival, the ones we have chosen are made by Religion (70531) and are in turn paired with some interesting patterned Adidas ZX Flux trainers (70658).
Next we have looked for something more relaxed and casual, we have chosen the pink Wildfox shooting star crop top (72018) worn with some Polo Ralph Lauren stonewash skinny jeans (70353) and a pair of Adidas white Superstar 80s trainers (70651).
If you don’t mind being bold, wearing bright clothing and want to embrace the spirit of the carnival then this next outfit is for you, we’ve paired a yellow and blue Missoni knitted dress (70786) with some gorgeous See by Chloe white slide sandals (70521).
Looking to go all out this year at Notting Hill? Here’s what you need, the David Lerner lace crop top (70717) is matched with Sam Edelman yellow bling sandals (71675).
Finally we have something colourful, hassle free and casual. This multicoloured Adidas dress (70613) offers daring colour combinations in a relaxed shape which we have then combined with a pair of classic white low Converse trainers (70606).
Accessorise your style
Add the finishing touch to your carnival outfit with our selection of accessories. We recommend: Michael Kors white studded backpack (72058), Elizabeth and James multi Cynnie bucket bag (71048), Wildfox black parka deluxe sunglasses (71724), Patrizia Pepe multi print scarf (70900), Elizabeth and James cream Cynnie bag (71040), Wildfox brown parka deluxe sunglasses (71719), Patrizia Pepe orange print scarf (70903) and M Missoni black raffia bag (70793).
.