Earlier this week, Maria Grazia Chiuri and the rest of the Dior team took over the gardens of Drummond Castle in Scotland to present its striking cruise collection. Following the steps of Christian Dior, who showcased his own collection in the same region in 1955, the display took huge inspiration from the surrounding country with kilts, tartan fabrics and embroidered Scottish symbols in no short supply.

Pulling on local talent, Chiuri worked with Scottish fabric makers Harris Tweed, Johnstons of Elgin, and Le Kilt’s founder Samantha McCoach to develop items in key Scottish styles with a modern twist – all to stunning effect. Think tartan bomber jackets, cosy cashmere knits, tweed coats and argyle capes. Plus, elevated embroidered bodices with words such as ‘fierce’, ‘nag’, ‘moody’ and ‘hysterical’ added to the depth of meaning behind Chiuri’s collection and highlighted another source of inspiration: Mary, Queen of Scots.

“In researching the history of Scotland, I was particularly inspired by the figure of Mary, Queen of Scotland. She spent decades embroidering, as a means of comfort and reflection, but also to express herself during her 19 years in prison,” Chuiri shared in notes from the show. An amalgamation of this inspiration led to one key aesthetic: the romanticism of punk.

With chunky biker boots, leather studded chokers and clashing red and black colours on kilts, Chiuri picked apart key elements from the punk look and weaved them together in a whimsical style. Sleek long plaits were used in place of mohawks, make-up was kept minimal and functional accessories, such as belts and studded crossbody bags, subtly accentuated each outfit. And given the reaction from fashion industry experts and fans alike, we’re sure to be seeing this soft punk style seep through this season.

Looking to replicate the aesthetic? Dior has provided the ultimate inspiration for adding a punk twist to your wardrobe this season…

Biker jackets have swanned in and out of fashion for quite some time, offering a softly structured outer layer that’s incredibly easy to wear with just about anything: jeans, skirts, dresses, you name it. Although typically made from leather, Chiuri incorporated the tartan pattern into these pieces to create a standout style. 

If a coloured bomber isn’t for you, a plain black option will work just as well and is easy to style – simply shrug it over your shoulders. 

While tartan made up most of Dior’s collection, Chiuri also heavily leaned into lace. Adding a soft romantic style, lace skirts, shirts and dresses contrasted the harsher red and black colour scheme of the plaid patterns with creams, gold and silver shades. We’re expecting to see plenty of lace looks this season, and the see-through fabric also touches on the sheer styling trend that dominated the autumn/winter catwalks. 

To incorporate lace into a punk look, ‘tougher’ items such as biker boots and belts provide some extra edge.

Punk accessories are immediately identifiable, with biker boots and chokers featuring heavily in the collection. They offer an easy way to step into the style without wearing tartan or big, billowing skirts. Simply pull them on with a pair of jeans or a sleek black slip to nod to the punk look with minimal effort. 

Other key accessories include black leather belts and studded strap crossbody bags, both of which you may already own.

Images: Dior