The spring/summer sales are over, the shops are piling in their new season collections and it’s time to get autumn/winter-ready!
The financial climate has heavily dictated the fashion status-quo for the past few seasons, where we have seen minimalism and moderation reign. If that’s your bag, there’s plenty more to be seen this season, but if you like your wardrobe to be a bit more indulgent, excess is making its come-back on the fashion map. Here’s your guide to the top ten trends for the new season.
What’s more wintery than a new coat? Cover-ups are the most essential part of any winter wardrobe and this season is no different. From classic camel to playful parkas and luxurious fur to comfortable capes, there’s something for everyone.
Camel coats have been on the scene for a while but see no signs of waning, so it’s time to invest. With lengths, fabrics and shades to suit every taste, there’s no excuse. Maxmara and Aquascutum’s floor sweeping styles are the ultimate in decadence, while Hermes, Gucci and Michael Kors opted for tailored versions that simply ooze sophistication. For a more grunge glamour look, try one of this season’s parkas. Burberry’s luxurious shearling numbers are surely the coat of the season, while less dramatic (but equally as desirable) versions came from Margaret Howell, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Iceberg and many more.
For even more comfort, get yourself enveloped in a cape. Like snuggling up inside a blanket, capes are ever so practical while still giving you a sexy silhouette. Head to Givenchy for drama, Alberta Ferretti for glamour and Yves Saint Laurent for practicality (Sefano Pilati’s capes are waterproof!). But for the absolute ultimate in luxury, give this season’s penchant for fur a whirl. Nearly everyone sent fur down their catwalks – from Karl Lagerfeld’s full-on fur looks at Chanel to Balmain’s rock-chic fur jackets and Giorgio Armani’s stand-out striped fur, there really is a look for us all.
Underneath it all however, this season is all about colour. Bright, eye-popping shades of anything and everything are the order of the day. Mix and match your hues in the style of Bottega Veneta; clash your colours as at Rochas; or just go plain bright, as at Versace and Stella McCartney. However you wear your colours this season, just make sure they cause an explosion!
If you are in search of a highly sophisticated, feminine look, this is the season for you. Ever since everyone went gaga for television series ‘Mad Men’, designers have been paying homage to the womanly silhouettes of the 1950 and 1960s. Prom dresses, circular shapes and pencil skirts all cinched in neatly at the waist are accessorized with elbow-length gloves, framed handbags and pretty footwear. Get your inspiration from Louis Vuitton, Prada, Nina Ricci, Dolce & Gabbana and Dries van Noten.
Continuing with the emphasis on elegance, another great trend for the season is lace. Romantic, flirtatious, feminine and oh-so pretty, lace was on so many catwalks. Either team it with separates for the day time or go the whole hog with a head-to-toe lace number, for the evening. Backing the trend are Antonio Berardi, Dolce & Gabbana, Christopher Kane, Valentino, Roberto Cavalli and a whole host of other designers.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, masculine tailoring is another must for autumn/winter 2010. In keeping with the minimal flavours of the past few seasons, this trend is all about clean lines and defined silhouettes. Think simplicity and restraint. Think trouser suits and boxy shapes. Think of less as more. Take your inspiration from Stella McCartney, BCBG Max Azria, Jil Sander, Celine and Chloe.
And the new trousers of the season need to be given credit of their own. Wide-leg (see Chloe, Ferragamo), cropped (Kenzo), cigarette (Valentino and Celine)… The new trouser is grown-up, flattering and comfortable. If worn correctly, they should make your legs look longer and leaner.
Sticking with the manly vibe, the next big trend of the season is all about appreciating the great outdoors. Topshop Unique took the look to a whole new level with animal head hats, forest bush hair and mismatched fabrics (that totally worked). For a slightly toned down look, take a leaf out of the style books of Dior, Chanel, Rodarte, Tommy Hilfiger, Rag & Bone, Pringle of Scotland et al. Try including one or more of tartan, fur, tweed, plaid and corduroy in your outfits.
Another fabric making a huge appearance this autumn/winter is leather. It has been around for a few seasons now, but each time we see it, it comes back resurrected. This season it is all about figure-hugging, quilted leather. Gianfranco Ferre’s leather skirt suit is the epitome of this style.
Looking for something even more luxurious than leather? Well, finally we have the return of sumptuous metallics. Economic crisis? I don’t think so! Balmain’s Christophe Decarnin – always one to bring bucket loads of decadence to the catwalk – used brocade, gold lame, sequins and metallic’s to create his most lavish collection yet.
Finally, your autumn/winter 2010 wardrobe will not be complete without some floor-sweeping skirts and dresses. Maxi skirts are big news this season, but the best news is that we’re meant to wear them with slouchy jumpers cardis. Take a peek at Marc Jacobs and D&G to get the idea. What could be more comfortable?! As for the dresses, well they are pretty as pie. Go for delicate prints and fabrics and layer with long-sleeved tops, a la Ralph Lauren and Erdem.
Autumn/winter 2010 is alive with fresh new ideas and exciting takes on old classics. Start investing now so that you can have a whole plethora of styles for when the sun says goodbye!
Colours we wear reflect dramatically on our look, style and mood; they also affect how others perceive us. Our fashion director tells us how we can manipulate our style with hardly any effort by wearing the right colours. She says “in order to make an entrance, you need to know what colours say about you!”
