Fashion has become a complex melting pot of sartorial choices where almost anything goes as long as you add an intentionally on-trend component to the outfit. Individualism is the most important trend of all. Take the PERSONAL in personal style to heart, because you have the power to pick and choose from the trend buffet, and sport it your way.
Here are my suggested must-haves for the cold-weather season, which cut across all body types, ages, price points and lifestyles. Short, sweet and to the point. As always, it’s a question of finding the renditions that work best for you.
1. Create a Maximal Effect
It’s about wearing “it all” together to create a harmonized whole. That means remixing patterns, textures, colours, layers and silhouettes, because the only limit to the aesthetic is your own tolerance for the 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. Feel free to interpret maximalism as fully as you see on the catwalks, or tone things down considerably.
2. Sport Tall Boots
To be clear, tall boots never went out of style. They simply took a back seat to trendy booties for seven years. Trends have brought back tall boots as the “new fresh look”, and lengths range from mid-calf to over-the-knee. Wear them heeled and dressy, casual and flat, or somewhere in between. Combine tall boots with all sorts of dress and skirt lengths, skinnies, leggings/jeggings, and culottes (wide crops.) The newer way to wear tall boots is to combine tailored flat riding boots with both casual and dressy skirts and frocks.
3. Add Structure to Your Outfit
To recap, structure is about accentuating the actual shape of your body, like defining the waist and hips, the shape of your arms and legs, or the shape of your shoulders. So think TAILORING. Sport beautifully tailored jackets, dresses, trousers and skirts. Sport form-fitting tops. Add a waist-defining belt to outfits. Wear jackets and coats with waist ties. Tuck tops into bottoms to showcase waistlines.
4. Catch the Blazer Bug
It is at last, a jacket season, and not a knitwear season. That means that knitwear is simple and basic so that it can be layered under a jacket like a blazer. Remind yourself of the beauty of the blazer, and sport one. Often. Blazers don’t need to be stiff, corporate and conservative. They can be fun, festive, and are a nod to the Structure trend. Blazers can also be layered under coats so that you can wear them through Winter.
5. Enjoy Full-Length Pants & Jeans
The cropped pants trend has been relentless for six years, and booties complemented fashion’s emphasis on the ankle. Things are changing. Full-length pants and jeans are moving back into the limelight so make sure you have those too. This does NOT mean that cropped pants are dated or out of style. We’re simply getting to the point where all lengths are fashionable so that we can take our pick and sport looks our way. Trends are trying to support the Individualism trend as best they can.
6. Flirt with Daytime Velvet
We saw the velvet trend come through last year, and it has gained momentum. What I like most, is that velvet is NOT reserved for dressy or evening occasions. This is 2017 where velvet has been transformed into an everyday fabric. The point is to wear it during the day as a regular item. Sport velvet tees, blazers, skirts, pants, sneakers, bags and dresses with a casual integrity, just like you did with Daytime Sparkle.
7. Rock a Fashion Era
Individualism means that it’s thoroughly modern to be Modern Retro. The most universally stylish, and probably your favourite silhouettes date back to fashion eras gone by, which we can remix today with a good dose of Current. Pick an era(s) and weave its sensibilities into your style. The ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s are particularly popular, but if you’re a ‘90s gal, or love the ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s — go for it.
8. Wear Dresses & Skirts
The tall boots trend goes hand in hand with the trend to wear skirts and dresses in Autumn and Winter. Choose heavier weight dresses with sleeves, add hosiery, jacket/gilet, tall boots, scarf and coat. Or combine Winter skirts with knitwear, hosiery, booties, pumps or tall boots. Throw a blazer and/or coat over the top. And if you can find a suitable midi dress/skirt, wear it with tall tailored boots.
9. Wear Dressy Flats & Low Heels
There is fashion life beyond high heels. Gone are the days that you were at a stylish disadvantage if you couldn’t wear them. In many cases flats and low heels look more current paired with outfits, and are more practical too. The low heel in particular, is having its fashion moment across all heel and toe box shapes. I’m hoping this trend lasts forever.
Remember that these items have to mesh with the factors that affect your style. A hard-edged blazer is going to look very different to one that resembles the English countryside. Pander to your style descriptor, whether that’s rocker, avant-garde, boho, preppy, arty, corporate, casual, or hard-edged. You have to find the renditions that best express you and your style.
Personally, I’m all over ALL nine must-haves. Which trends are featuring in your Fall and Winter wardrobe refresh this season? Are there any surprises?
