Today, nearly 40 years after its launch, Ghost is dropping an archival collection – and it’s packed with the timeless silky-smooth pieces that gave the brand its cult following in the first place.
Ghost has been known since its conception in 1984 for its beautiful oblique cut dresses. And when underwear dominated as outerwear in the ’90s, the British label distinguished itself with a more casual take on the ‘sexy’ trend; aided by its signature viscose satin fabric that flowed and draped just as beautifully as silk, but was much less maintenance intensive.
STORE GHOST ARCHIVE
Ghost’s original concept couldn’t be more relevant in 2023. Post-pandemic and at the height of a smart/casual lifestyle, women want wardrobes that are truly versatile. Forget desk to dinner, we need hard-working pieces that translate across the board: they need to be suitable for the office and working from home, as well as Sunday lunches, weekend errands and those dinner parties where you’re not too sure about the dress code .
But before we get into the designs themselves, we want to mark another huge milestone for Ghost. The Archive collection introduces an expansion in sizing to the brand; and from Spring 2023 all styles will be available from UK8 to UK20.
The cult of bias has traditionally been exclusive for decades — everything from the persistence of 90s waifish supermodel images to the maladjusted boyish cuts have kept things restrictive. So we commend Ghost for offering a seedy take on the trend and betting on bespoke inclusivity.
STORE GHOST ARCHIVE
There are so many fun pieces in the new Ghost Archive we’d like to mention (the modern bridal looks, artfully cut dresses, ethereal milkmaid dress, and the ’80s-inspired belted midi in which we can totally see The Princess of Wales), but it’s the capsule pieces we crave the most.
Get the matching tank top and petticoat. They can be paired to create a formal dress, but can also be paired with denim, joggers and tailoring to create daytime looks. The satin tee and palazzo drawstring pants are a dream team: they make excellent staples whether worn together or separately, not to mention they come in a rainbow of candy colors. The grown-up pajamas are also a defining part of the lineup – worn with heels and lashed-on jewelry they’re a seedy evening look, but they’re also comfortable enough to work from home or sleep in.
But if you buy one thing from the Ghost’s Archive collection, make it a slip dress. We have waxed lyrical about this piece as a modern must-have, and will continue to do so for years to come.
These iterations are especially useful because they don’t use spaghetti straps for something sportier and wider — this makes layering easier and helps keep shiny satin away from the lingerie arena.
Choose from delicate lilac and timeless polka dot midis, or the more dramatic floor-sweeping maxi version. The styling options are endless: support yours with a T-shirt or turtleneck, throw on a blazer, pair with a knit to create the illusion of an underskirt. As for shoes? Alternate between strappy sandals, Converse and chunky lace-up boots for a nod to the brand’s ’90s heyday.
The Ghost Archive collection will be available online and in stores from January 31, 2023. Prices range from £49 to £195.
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