Fashion has become a complex melting pot of sartorial choices that almost anything goes as long as you add an intentionally trendy aspect to the outfit. Here’s a shortlist of eight must-haves for the cold weather season that cut across all body types, ages, price points and lifestyles. As always, it’s a question of finding the renditions that work best for you.
1. Create A Maximal Effect
Maximalism is the most important trend of this season and seasons to come. It’s about wearing it all together to create a harmonized whole. That means remixing patterns, textures, colours and silhouettes, because the only limit to the aesthetic is your own tolerance for the complex combination. Sport multiple accessories, combine a range of colours and patterns, dress in multiple visual layers, and don’t forget dramatic nail polish, rainbow hair, and make-up.
Of course, Maximalism runs on a continuum, and you’re free to interpret it as fully as you see on the catwalks, or to tone things down considerably.
2. Wear Cropped Bottoms with Boots
For the third year in a row, cropped lengths — in any silhouette of pants or jeans — are THE on trend silhouette for bottoms. Sport leggings or skinnies at cropped lengths. Straight or flared jeans or trousers at cropped lengths. Boyfriend jeans, slouchies and harem pants at cropped lengths, or any shape of culotte at cropped lengths. Crop lengths two to four inches above the ankle bone for an intentional effect.
Pair cropped bottoms with shooties, booties, high-shaft booties and taller boots. Expose a slither of skin between the tops of the boots and the hem of the bottoms, or wear taller boots under flared or wider crops to insulate against the cold.
3. Enjoy a Little Waist Definition
Showcasing the waist is back with a vengeance. Wear belted tops and toppers, and all sorts of tailored pieces. Haul out the wrap tops. Think fit-and-flare frocks and high rises on jeans and pants. Tuck fluid tops into pencil skirts. The higher rises on jeans, pants and skirts are all about defining the waist when tops are tucked or semi-tucked.
If you’re apple shaped or uncomfortable showcasing the midsection, simply wear an untucked fluid top that glides over the tummy area under an open tailored jacket that is fitted at the waist. The vertical line that is created down the front of the body by the open jacket is slimming. The fitted side seams of the jacket hint at the waist, while the fluidity of the top camouflages midsection lumpage and bumpage.
4. Add Some Faux Fur
Think faux fur coats, jackets and vests, across solids, patterns, and in any colour. If a faux fur garment is too much of a commitment, wear faux fur as a trim on a garment, or sport it through an accessory.
5. Sport Round Square Toes & Block Heels
Dainty pointy toe footwear was all the rage for many years. But these days it’s becoming a modern classic. If you’re a trendy shoe gal, sport round square toes, along with all sorts of Mary Janes, flatforms and platforms. Just about any shoe with a block heel looks trendy at the moment.
6. Flirt with Dandy Flounce
Wear dandy garments that swish with ruffles, pussy bows and cascading flounces. Soft, romantic, and actually as masculine as it is girly. Think back to how well the New Romantics wore this vibe in the ‘80s.
7. Rock the ‘70s
There is no stopping the sensational glam, boho and disco style sensibilities of the ‘70s. Think full-length flared jeans and trousers. T-necks layered under dresses and tops. Fringe, suede anything, leather trench coats, midi skirts and dresses, wrap tops and dresses, bell sleeves, and half-shoulder silhouettes.
8. Glam Up Gothic Romance & Renaissance
Incorporate velvet, brocade, lace and jacquard in any wardrobe item. Feel free to wear these textures together for maximal effect. Wear head-to-toe black with LOTS of texture and garment interest. Remix black lace, faux fur, brocade and leather in one outfit instead of flat head-to-toe black. Add bling for shine.
Trends like extended sleeves, plaid coats, shearling coats, sandals with socks, over-the-knee boots, pink anything, military ink blue, embroidery, sharp shoulders, maxi cardigans, leather coats, trouser suiting, fashionable puffer coats, forest green, balloon sleeves and reconstructed denim provide extra variety. And trendy new outfit proportions amp up the freshness of an outfit.
Which trends are featuring in your Fall and Winter wardrobe refresh this season? Are there any surprises?
