It’s time to talk trends as the next six months bring Autumn and Winter collections to the northern hemisphere. Two earlier posts on denim and shoe trends are relevant, and these style themes with staying power are particularly important.
This year there is more emphasis on how items and colours are combined and juxtaposed to create a refreshed or signature look, and less emphasis on the silhouettes themselves. The ‘90s continue to influence current fashion, with a strong nod to the late ‘90s. That said, you’ll see ‘70s and ‘80s influences too.
Feel free to feast, snack, or fast from the buffet of trends, and do your own thing. Almost anything goes these days. Wear what makes you happy, and feel good in your outfit.
1. All Fits
Fluid and oversized clothing fits have been on trend for a while. That said, body con tops, dresses and skirts, and all things tailored are coming through too. Several fits are remixed in one outfit to create outfit interest.
You have the power to choose your fit. Size up if you don’t like things too tight, and size down of you don’t like them too big. Wear items with the same fit in one outfit, or mix it up for variation.
2. Grey, Black, Tan, Chocolate
Grey and black were particularly big in the late and mid ‘90s, which is why grey is THE neutral of the season, and black continues to dominate. Tan is not far behind. We’re seeing everything come through in tan, including sweats and activewear. Warm and cool chocolate browns are coming through too.
3. Greens
Every shade of green is having a fashion moment. Gentle sages, greyed mid-tones, crisp mid-tones, neon, emerald, lime, Kelly green, jade, chartreuse, earthy olives, teals, and dark forest greens are coming through already. More is on the way.
4. Deep Reds
Think fire engine and Christmas red, cherry, wine, crimson, garnet, rose, berry, scarlet, ruby, burgundy and maroon. Wear different reds together in one outfit.
5. Pinks
Every shade of pink is having a fashion moment too. Gentle blush, muddy pinks, antique pink, peachy pink, lipstick and bubblegum pink, neon, shocking pink, cerise, watermelon, flamingo, and fuchsia.
6. Big Pants and Big Skirts
Casual and dressy pants are big and very big. Roomy in the hips and thighs and fitted in the waist with barrel, balloon, relaxed straight leg and wide leg silhouettes. Widths vary. Some silhouettes are less slouchy than others. Fronts are straight or pleated. Flared pants like bootcuts are on trend too. Lengths vary from cropped to full length, and rise lengths vary from low, mid and high. Low rises are a fringe trend.
Skirts with movement across a range of lengths are the on trend choice. Lots of swoosh. Think bubble, pleated, A-line, flared, paneled, tiered, gathered, asymmetrical, and knotted at the waist silhouettes.
That said, columned and pencil skirts are coming through too. Often long and with a front slit. Sometimes the skirts are buttoned down the front.
7. Knitted Jackets
These are not the typical sweater coat. Rather, they are short blazers, puffers and Chanel-esque jackets made of knitted yarn or knitted fabric. Some are made of a very thick jersey. Comfy and forgiving. Great for mild Winters when there’s no need for coats. Alternatively, woven jackets with knitted sleeves or backs are also coming through.
8. Polo and Johnny Collars
We saw this trend in Spring a Summer, and it has gained momentum. Johnny collar and polo collar knitwear is strong, and coming through in a range of fits and lengths. If you bat for Team Collar, stock up.
9. Relaxed Glamour and Elevated Everyday
It’s very current to relax a glam look, and to elevate an everyday casual look. This brings us back to the important theme of juxtaposition. You might relax dressy pieces by combining a them with denim, motos, or casual footwear. Wear a tee under a blazer. A cropped sweatshirt with a fancy skirt and heels. Throw a tuxedo jacket over utillity pants or leggings. Wear elegant jewellery and a dressy bag with athleisure. Wear dressy clothes with flat. Add sparkle to jeans. Wear a cashmere wrap to ruana with joggers. Add a silk scarf and pretty sandals to parachute pants and a shirt. Add chunky glam necklaces to slouchy sweaters, sweatshirts, and knitted tops. Wear a shot puffer with a fancy skirt. Add a crossbody bag to dressier attire. Add a fancy clutch to jeans. Style your hair, wear statement eyewear, throw on a belt, and add jewellery to a simple shorts a tee outfit.
There are countless ways to relax some looks and elevate others. Choose the ways that best work for you and your style.
10. Leopard, Cheetah and other Iconic Patterns
Leopard and cheetah patterned EVERYTHING is having a big fashion moment. Think any wardrobe item, and wear multiple cat prints in one outfit. The “mob wife” trend is alive and well. If leopard and cheetah clothing is too much of a commitment, opt for footwear and accessories.
On that note, all iconic patterns are having a fashion moment too. Stripes, dots, florals, chain patterns, and plaids are strong. Classics are fabulous, and I like this fashion message with high longevity.
11. Suiting and Sets
Think all sorts of suiting and sets in solids, patterns and any colour. Pant suits, waistcoat or vest suits (with skirts or pants), double denim, sweater sets, scarf and top set, two-piece dress, co-ords, and any double layered item that looks like an exact match. Like a sweater that is an exact match to a jacket or coat. Or when separates create a column of colours that are an exact match.
12. Criss-Cross and Wrap Detailing
Wrap tops, dresses, sweaters, and skirts continue to fringe trend. Wrap-front pants are fringe trending too. Tops with crisscross neckline detailing, and skirt waists with criss-cross detailing are also coming through.
13. Colour Clashes and Tonal Remixes
These days there is no such thing as a dreadful colour combination. Items that we once thought of as clashing are delightful, and all colours can be combined in any way. The only thing stopping you from combining colours is your own distaste for the look. There is creativity and beauty in the clash. And as long as you like it, wear it.
If you prefer outfits made up of tonal colours instead of clashing ones, that’s on trend too. There’s room to wear both if they float your boat.
14. Tantalizing Textures
Think tweed, corduroy, leather, pleather, feathers, fringe, faux fur, satin, liquid silk, quilting, mesh, herringbone, fair isle, argyle, velvet, cabled knits, bows, beading, ribbing, embroidery, jacquard, pointelle, bouclé, waffle knits, melange, fleece, sherpa, shearing, suede, mesh, and crochet. Think of wearing multiple textures in one outfit. If colours aren’t your thing, amplify the textural components of your outfit.
15. Metallics
Think gold, silver, pewter and bronze clothing, footwear or accessories. Metallics vary in shine so take your pick. Team Magpie and Team Subtle Shine will find something to their liking. Metallic footwear, belts and bags are easier than metallic clothes to commit to and combine into outfits. Gold, bronze and silver footwear do a great job of bookending hair, which can effectively pull an outfit together.
16. Pattern Mixing
All sorts of pattern mixing is very current. The mixes can be bold, subtle and everything in-bewtween. Mix variations of the same pattern, like a couple of plaids in one outfit, or mix plaids with florals, stripes, dots, or ombré. Remix it all with animal print.
17. Big Shawls and Chunky Scarves
These make a statement as a fringe trend almost every year. Luxurious cashmere shawls are great for working from home, or to pop over an outfit in a restaurant or at an event when you don’t want to wear a jacket. Chunky and oversized scarves are great on those with long necks who run cold.
18. High Necklines, Funnel necks, Half-zips
Half-zip sweatshirts with small or large collars across a range of fits, are the new hoodie. High necklines dominate T-shirts, sweatshirts, and a fair amount of knitwear. Funnel necks on shirts, knitwear, dresses, jackets and coats are fringe tending too.
19. Moto and Aviator Jackets
These iconic styles of topper know no bounds in neutrals and non-neutrals. Fits range from tailored to fluid or oversized across a range of lengths. The idea is to wear them with anything and everything.
20. Puffers
Puffers continue to make a fashion statement across a range of lengths, thicknesses and colours. Short, thigh-length, knee-length or maxi, they can stylishly top most outfits these days as long as you like the combination and the proportions that are created. You can layer thin and streamlined puffers under other outerwear too. Fluid and roomy puffers are the trendier choice. Tailored puffers are the classic choice.
Here in the US there is a lot of animal print and green coming through already, and it’s only the start of the season. A fair amount of Johnny and polo collars, chocolate, grey, metallics, knitted jackets, texture-rich fabrics, moto jackets, suiting, and big pants are also in stores right now.
I like all the trends, but some more than others. Apart from knitted jackets, black and grey, and half-zip tops, I have them covered. Surprisingly, even the criss-cross trend. I’m not big on leopard print, but have the odd item which is ample. BIG yes to bright greens, pinks, and reds, iconic patterns like stripes, chains and plaids, mottos and aviators, clashing colours, tonal looks, pattern mixing, sets, suiting, big pants, big skits, metallics, relaxed glam, elevated everyday, puffers, polos and Johnny collars. I’m wearing all the fits, but fluid and tailored most of the time.
Over to you. Which trends tickle your fancy?
