From parties to fancy dress outfits and truly standout tablescapes, I always turn to Pinterest to spark inspiration – creating beautiful boards of looks that I tell myself I will someday, somehow recreate. With the fashion week circuit in full swing, the site is my trusty tool to spy on what other people are wearing, with a view to helping me move past my go-to ‘jeans and a nice top’ combo.

Unsurprisingly, Copenhagen street style, London-based looks and Milan and Paris pictures are rarely in short supply. But amid the signature Scandi and French looks (full of chic blazers, straight-leg jeans and chunky, layered knitwear), I’ve noticed brighter, bolder outfits that genuinely stand out. And they all seem to be from Lisbon.

In fact, a quick search on Pinterest for “Lisbon style” or “Lisbon fashion” brings up a whole host of joyful, relaxed outfits, defined by contrasting statement patterns and bold pops of colour. The social media site reports that searches for the “Lisbon aesthetic” have risen by almost 300% over the last three months, with searches for “pastel outfit” increasing almost five times in volume and “colourful outfits” by 50%. Clearly, Portuguese fashion is having a moment. 

Perhaps this isn’t surprising, considering that Portugal is one of the largest fashion producers in Europe (exporting around 70 million pairs of shoes, $1 billion of T-shirts and $369 million of women’s suits each year, according to industry data company Fashion United). The craftsmanship of Portuguese leatherworkers, weavers and textile manufacturers is also considered among the best in the world, with a large number of luxury labels sourcing their fashion finds in the country.

Last year, Ana Paula Dinis, executive director of the Portuguese Textile and Clothing Association, stressed the importance of Portugal’s high-quality manufacturing practices. “Nowadays, we are working with different types of brands than in the past,” she told industry news source FashionNetwork. “Our role has evolved. The brands and designers that now produce their products in Portugal are less fixated on price and are instead looking for sustainability.” What’s clear is just how much pride the country has in its fashion-producing capabilities. 

But what is the Lisbon look? Just like the city’s colourful streets, it’s focused on vivid reds, yellows, pinks and blues – but not in a ‘primary school’ kind of way. Think terracotta hues or sea blues woven throughout striking patterns and simplistic shapes, as shown by our inspiration examples above. 

The vibe is playful prints and joy-inducing colours, rather than anything too ostentatious: loose, striped linen trousers, bow-tied shirts and oversized jumpers are key pieces to pick up. Mango, Damson Madder and American Vintage are all good places to get the Lisbon look on the UK high street, while covetable contemporary Portuguese brands include Mustique, Wheat and Rose and Sienna. Perhaps destination dressing is the new way to shop. 

Main image: Courtesy of Mango