The Fashion Trends to embrace this season
With new fashion arrivals already whetting our appetite in the shops, now’s the time to brush up on Autumn Winter’s hottest fashion trends. Autumn is definitely the season women most love to shop with many of us having had somewhat of a fashion lull for the last two months! Get ready to be inspired…
Fur in all it’s glory
Expect to see lots of bold, coloured fur, fur sleeves and collars. The fur coat might just be your statement buy this Winter. Our very own Simona Rocha even showed fur covered shoes at London Fashion week. Designers who have been embracing fur include Preen, Stella McCartney (who showed fur coats thick enough for arctic conditions) and Lanvin.
Soft as Velvet
Softly, softly, say Giorgio Armani, Alexander Wang and Christopher Kane. In suits, flares, dresses and capes, rich coloured velvet popped up at the shows in every city introducing a softness and femininity to fashion week – just in time for cocktail hour!
Oversized tailoring & great suits
Tailorings new proportions are mostly going to be oversized and asymmetric. But fret not because actually I think the high street will embrace the suit in all it’s glory. It is going to become a wardrobe stable (and not just for the office) this season. Stella McCartney showed some great blazers alongside Victoria Beckham’s tailored drop waist trousers. Look for modern, simple details in the suit you choose. Oh and expect to see big buttons. Very big buttons.
Beautiful Hemlines
Unusual, asymmetric and flouncy hemlines are where it’s at this season. Your skirt wants to be the centre of attention. Expect lady like details, tailored dresses with flouncy ends and extra layers of fabric. Why wear just a pencil skirt when you can have a personality skirt! This look was featured in the collections on Mary Katrantzou, Louis Vuitton and Christopher Kane.
High Waisted Trousers
The waist height is climbing up to the belly button and will feature some seriously slinky slimline legs. Not for everyone, this look altogether will be a tricky one to pull off without a rectangular figure to match but I am all for high waists. Perhaps opt for a slightly wider leg to balance out proportions. The longer your waist the higher your waist should go! Look to the collections of Isabel Marant, Jason Wu, Zimmerman, Topshop Unique and Givenchy for inspiration.
Fun tights
Tights played a major part in Autumn Winter 2015 runways. But not just any tights. Tights that want to be seen. At Saint Laurent ripped tights were seen under barely there dresses for the party girl. Fishnets featured at the Sophie Theallet show. Personally, I am not a fan (too many lines for the eye to scan!) but the runways did quite a lot to convince me and I did see some great looks that almost swayed me, but not quite.
Victorian Collars
I remember owning one in the 90’s but they are back this season and we are going right back to the 1920’s for inspiration. High collars with ruffles and lace made an appearance but bright collars, leather details and clean lines made this fashion trend modern in it’s execution. Valentino was one of my favourites showing this trend.
Embellishment & Glitter
We all like a little sparkle coming into Autumn so you will be glad to know sequins and glitter are back! After too many seasons of pared back plainness, designers are opting for some fun. At Proenza Schouler one dress alone had 300,000 sequins. Yes, that’s right. Yet designer like Sonia Rykiel made sequins work for day by pairing her pewter sequinned pinafore with a polo neck. Sequins should be embraced for day and for night!
Brocade Fabrics
Brocade combined with some extraordinary patchwork creations means more is more this Autumn Winter. Erdem set the tone in London by setting his show up in a sumptuously decorated Parisian inspired apartment with exotic and decadent fabrics while a modern approach was taken by designer Marques Almeida by styling raw-edged jewel-hued brocades in the same effortless way as their signature denim.
Layering
There are some fashion trends that are just such a lovely way of simply getting to update what you already have! Layering is one of those trends. The AW catwalks were full of styling inspiration. Ever thought of teaming your summer string top with a crisp white shirt? Time to start! Stella McCartney showed us that it can work a treat. Inspiration also came from Hermes, Philip Lim and DKNY.
The Cape
Kenzo put out weather-appropriate waterproof poncho capes in navy blue and green, whilst Vivienne Westwood Gold Label opted for a more dramatic approach (characteristically) with their unisex embroidered capes with distorted silhouettes. Giles Deacon went down the gothic route with a black silk cape dress with bow-pocket detail, whilst Orla Kiely opted for Parisian chic with their shoulder-enhanced, layered cape in baby pink. Bottom line. Capes are big news!
Peekaboo Lace
Expect to want to show a little more flesh this season in a subtle, feminine way. Whether you embrace the lace panelling we will see a lot of, sheer lined blouses and skirts (inspired by Nina Ricci and Chanel) or the more daring ‘slash’ detail in dresses (Sass and Bide), skin is definitely in!
70’s & 80’s
Continuing with the more is more, fun fashion from the 70’s and 80’s have been well and truly captured in this seasons biggest fashion trends. Flares, boho chic, little house on the prairie dresses, corduroy dungarees, fringing and definitely skinny scarves. The 80’s too will be seen on the high street with neon colours, bright furs, shimmery fabrics and graphic motifs and prints. Take inspiration from Burberry, Jonathan Saunders and Anna Sui.
Goth Girl
Tempering the rather wild 70’s and 80’s black is back with a gothic twist. Most notable was Sarah Burton’s brand of ‘Victoriana’ for Alexander McQueen. It started at New York fashion week when Alexander Wang embraced head to toe black and it seemed to feature heavily through many other collections including Givenchy, Comme Des Garcons, Giles and Rick Owen. (Also, note the many midi hemlines).
Wrapping
It is one of the best styles for all body shapes, the wrap is back and will feature in beautiful coats and dresses. This is the fashion trend that will add immediate comfort to your Autumn look. Hermes call it ‘the robe effect’.
Happy shopping & styling!
Julie x
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