This season I’m going to report on the trends for the next six months differently. Instead of one post, I’m breaking things up into five separate posts and devoting all week to the topic. That way the info is easier to digest and we can focus our conversations in the comments section. Let the trend games begin.

At this point I’ve seen most of the Ready-to-Wear collections for Fall 2019. Each season a set of cohesive and interesting themes eventually emerge through the chaos and drama that struts down the runway. Not one hit wonders, but themes that have staying power for years, and sometimes for decades. 

Here are some things that stood out at a high level:

• Complexity and uncertainty continue to describe the state of current fashion. You’ll find it all on the runways if you look hard enough.
• Maximalism is front and centre, which means wearing it all together to create a harmonized whole. Wearing complex silhouettes and combining them in one outfit, layering all sorts of pieces to create interesting proportions, accessorizing to your limit, pattern mixing, texture mixing, patchwork, embellishment, remixing high-contrast colours and clashing colours, sporting statement make-up, and adding nail polish and rainbow hair.
• The lack of diversity across the body type and age of the models was disappointing, and looks dated.
• The emphasis is on creativity, juxtaposition, and comfort, so there is little regard for creating conventionally flattering proportions.
• The absence of Athleisure.
• Sneakers are worn with EVERYTHING.
• Pant, skirt, jeans and dress silhouettes are wide and roomy. Skinnies take a back seat.

Remember that despite what’s happening on the runways or in trend forecasts, retailers will continue to supply the market with body-con skinnies, stretchy leggings and Athleisure as long as consumers buy them. Designers do not have the power to control trends as much as we do collectively as consumers.

THE MOST IMPORTANT TREND: Do Your Own Thing (DYOT)

I used to call this the Individualism trend, but I’m changing it to DYOT. There is no one way to be stylish, and fashion is an overwhelming melting pot of sartorial choices. Increasing diversity in fashion with each passing year means that there is something for everyone, and that’s a good thing. Trends are no longer seasonal and fads no longer exist. Trends are becoming harder to define, and at some point they will be irrelevant. That’s why creating a signature style, milking the one you have, or evolving it over time is the most important and relevant trend of them all. Wear the trends, don’t wear them, pick the ones that tickle your fancy, remix them, or reinvent them — it’s all good. Do your own thing!

On to the colours. Imagine them in any wardrobe item, make-up colour, nail polish, or hair colour:

1. Earth Tones

Earth tones have been coming down the runway for years so the writing was on the wall. Finally, a long time since their last fashion moment, earth tones are mainstream at retail. They are THE palette for the season.

Think spice colours and all sorts of browns like mustard, turmeric, curry, rust, burnt orange, cognac, chestnut, saddle, toffee, coffee, cinnamon, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, tan, sand, taupe, khaki, stone, maize, oxblood, burgundy, bronze, tortoiseshell, gold, and animal patterns in these earthy shades.

2. Greens

It’s not about blue — it’s about green and in all its renditions. Colours as light as mint, moss, and sage are as trendy as bright emerald, lime and apple green. British racing green is fab and so are teals with their bluish tinge. Any shade of olive and forest green is great too, although I think of those as earth tones.

3. Purple and Fuchsia

Purple is there in pastel lilacs and mid-tone lavenders, blue shades of periwinkle, rich renditions of orchid, and dark shades of cranberry and eggplant. There is fuchsia, which is a lot more pink than purple, but not quite shocking pink. It’s a warm cousin to orchid, a statement stain of beetroot, and rather yummy.

4. Bright Red

Many, many collections continue to highlight bright shades of red worn head-to-toe, or as a distinctive accent. Think warm shades of orange-y tomato red, and cooler shades of fire engine and Christmas red. Red was remixed with every neutral and non-neutral because it works with everything.

5. Neon

The ‘80s continue to influence current trends, which accounts for some neon coming through. Neon brights in yellow, pink, green, orange and blue are there, but as a fringe trend, and often as an accessory, trim or sneaker. Though head-to-toe neon is not a bad thing, and was represented too.

I like the colours for the season. I’m not a big wearer of earth tones and animal print, but enjoy shades of cinnamon and cognac leather worn with sour brights, dark blue, light blue, and shades of white. Gold is my metal. Apple green is one of my favourite colours, and I’m all over bright shades of red. I adore shocking pink so fuchsia has to be bright if I’m going to wear it. As an ‘80s devotee, I like neon and hope citron (= citrus + neon) comes back with a vengeance. What I like best about the season’s palette is that I’ll happily remix clashing colours, cool tones with warm tones, and all sorts of brights, which means busloads of versatility and little chance of wardrobe orphans.

Over to you. What do you think of the season’s colours?