Fashion, fashion, fashion… everywhere. I can’t believe I am saying this, but it is not always a good thing! Loads of people tell me they would follow fashion, only:
1) They cant afford it
and
2) They cant be bothered. People nowadays just don’t have the time to siv through countless material on this seasons styles.
Personally I could never not be bothered with fashion, finding it interesting, exciting and addictive but sometimes it can be very hard work to establish just the very basic trends when different sources are telling you different things and these sources usually have to make several, articles for instance, on variations of a similar trend. Then there is the complication of whether you like couture, high street, a mix or even alternative style and as they say time is money!
Money, please sir can I have some more! I’m not going to turn this into a financial article but it’s a fact, money is tight and job availability even more so, yet prices are soaring .
I’d love to have an new outfit that is Topshop, Vintage or designer every day , or at least all my clothes fit under one of the above categories but I realised long ago that I even with my parents and grandma to scrounge off an item for a treat is more realistic. So one day I psyched myself up and attempted my greatest fear…charity shop shopping, and you know what, its great! Ok especially with my many OCDs I will admit the newly purchased clothes undergo an extensive cleaning regime as soon as they get home. But the reality is my mum’s horror story of how people died in them is probably 0.0005% likely. The clothes are probably of high street quality, if not better, less common and at a tenth of the price.
But if you have the basic trend knowledge you could shop easily sensibly and thus happily. So I hope this helps! …
...Ok I’m a bit late in the day for this one in terms of fashion time framing but when it comes to high street know most people haven’t even begun to think winter wardrobe yet so hopefully I can get away with it.
The Key trends for this season are :
Pattern its everywhere, animal print, dots, the usual but also t the more quirky prints by the likes of Mary Katrantzou, Miu miu and even Louis Vuitton.
Dots, spots, polka dots, whatever you want to call them they are spreading like well chicken pocks. Only you can choose how you want to year them, minimal or mad you’ll be on trend. Sported by Gucci, Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney models to name but a few this is definitely a key pattern to get in or, should I even dare say, dig out of your wardrobe from seasons before.
Eccentric elegance, ok this isn’t a very definite style described right here, I apologise, I know this doesn’t help you if you want to write down a distinct shopping list …or wish list of key items, but I cant really make it any less broad then that.
Gucci went for 1970s inspired glamour, a range of evening and day time, both terrifically teamed with fur of the colourful kind (purple yellow, turquoise, green).
Gucci A/W 2011/12
Lavin also adding eccentricity, but beauty to the most sophisticated of attire: creating dresses of pink red, yellow, orange and the rest of the rainbow.
Then of course there is Queen of quirky couture , Vivian Westwood with crowns, colourful capes and many more creative concoctions.
But of course catwalk is the creation of craziness (of the best kind), so the style is bound to be a success.
Therefore it can be said a shock of optic colour has burst in our surroundings, suck it in would be my advise! …(and if you cant take my word for it fashion’s favourites like Jonathan Saunders seem superbly smitten with this style.)
Boy-girl
Good news the big blazers are back , it may be a slight adaptation to the ones in your wardrobes from before but that just allows you to get creative and make a wonderful original! Black tie on a new level, a woman’s level. White shirt, black tie and buttoned up blazer what could be more simply sensational?
Take your inspiration from the fashionable French who have perfected this feminine twist on the tux for many years now.
Chanel is a one to watch in this category and of course Dolce and Gabbana … but then again there are many masters in this trade.
MIU MIU A/W 2011/12
P.S. don’t forget your boy boot. Brogues are back with low block heels, pantent and polished or swaggering suede, all you need to know is they’re back and they’re bad.
Fashion is the future and future is fashion that is why three key trends of the season can be found called futurism, space and modern retro. Parada have paraded this trend to with power. Ginormous scale like sequins over the body and head are an iconic image that the fashion house has produced this season. Viktor and Rolf have certainly gone down a similar yet drastically different route as can be seen from their metallic almost mechanic looking designs crimped and serrated spectacularly, oddly but geniusly set off by the red jam red faces reminiscent of when Gromit ( from the one and only Wallace and Gromit) got attacked by the jam in The Wrong Trousers (my favourite ever movie moment I must add!) But once again folks this trend is identifiable in many more of the best of the best brands.
Viktor & Rolf A/W2011/12
Sequins, earlier mentioned sported by Prada, among several other fashion superstars, you love them or hate them, either way they are the bling of the business this Autumn/Winter, so will you be brave and add some sparkle to your life?
Satin is another shine that is added to the shops this season. Primarily in the form of the ‘special trouser’, cropped above the ankle to allow a cheeky flash of the on trend ankle sock, satin is in stores everywhere in the form of skirts, shirts and slinky dresses. Thank you Haider Ackermann.
The Fetish fashion is another which adds shine to the catwalk. PVC all the way, with inspiration from lady Gaga for at least Nicola Formichetti, bad girl greeted us gladly on the catwalk by such designer deities as Louis Vuitton .How do we do it on the high street, well leather gloves are a start.
Louis Vuitton A/W 2011/12
Native American is another trend to look out for.
How to shop this look, well I would say a poncho is best if we are talking clothing but the style can be pulled off with the right accessories, don’t panic you will easily find your way around this trend with the help of high street stores.
Chloe A/W 2011/12
Funky Jumpers. That’s all I’m saying on the subject.
Other things I suggest you take note of:
Pencil skirt, get one.
Statement skirts, the three quarter length dirndl type are also very popular.
Sporty shaped sleek garments are special this season. Baseball jackets continue to convince thanks to Isabel Marant giving the high street a helping hand back in the spring.
Trousers are the individual MUST this autumn. Fur, frills, fabric n general is favoured too.
Best colour of the season is undoubtedly wine red. Radiant.
Bags, leather like seems the style, definitely some colour in there is needed, but to be quite honest the way you wear it seems where the style is gained. Handcuffed to you, folded or topsy turvy, anything that isn’t the norm is about right.
All you punks out there the choker is here once more. For the more feminine don’t you worry your pretty little head they don’t have to be bolted or spiked, feathered is just as fashionable.
Alexander McQueen A/W 2011/12
…And the hat, don’t forget the hat, fur, patterned, seventies chic or swimming cap, the bolder the better!
So if you were stuck I hope that helped, if not well all I can say is sorry, email me and I will try my hardest to be your virtual style supporter.
