It’s definitely not a very normal year. And as such, many of us have barely changed the look of what we’ve been wearing for the last six months. But as the new season officially arrives in store, what better reason to embrace Autumn/Winter 20’s key trends and enjoy some long-overdue, spirit-lifting wardrobe updating?
RED ALERT
If stopping traffic is top of your fashion to-do list this season, you’ll be happy to hear that the little – or not so little – red is a key look for AW20. Seen in all its glory in ravishing ruched velvet at Rodarte; beautifully draped silk jersey at Balenciaga and spectacular scarlet sequins at Valentino (for whom a jaw-dropping red dress is a house signature) if ever there was a time to invest in a dress that will turn heads now and for years to come, this is it.
BEYOND THE FRINGE
Frivolous, fun, and unashamedly flirty, fringing made a big return to the AW20 runways. From classic flapper-inspired tassels at Dior and Elizabetta Franchi and floor-sweeping monochrome maxis at Jil Sander to lust-worthy leather fringed midis at Bottega Veneta, tassels will be everywhere you turn this autumn. And whether you take your cues from Gabriela Hearst’s western-inspired suede, or amp up your office attire, Prada style, with a swishing skirt topped with a sharply tailored belted blazer, the fringe benefits of adding tassels to your autumn wardrobe are undeniable.
PUMP UP THE VOLUME
From super-sized sleeves to vast, frothy skirts, size really does matter this season. While the message on the runways at the time may well have been ‘Go big, or go home’, with social-distancing still a requirement, and another lockdown on the horizon, it looks like ‘Go big, stay home’ is a perfectly acceptable way to rock literally the biggest trend of the season. Molly Goddard’s huge, full-skirted tulle dresses made getting too close to anyone a tricky affair, and lead an array of enormous gowns and coats, from Moschino to Richard Quinn for Moncler and more. Similarly, oversized sleeves of every kind were all over the runway, with leg of mutton shapes at Maxmara, cold-shoulder midi dresses with cloud-like sleeves at Chanel and larger-than-life lace ruffles at Vivienne Westwood. Small is definitely not interesting this season.
CHECKS APPEAL
If clashing prints are your thing, autumn’s love affair with checks will have your heart racing. With Burberry leading the charge in mismatched combinations of their classic house print, head-to-toe checks have never looked cooler. With everyone from Alexander McQueen, Celine, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Ralph & Russo showcasing tartans, houndstooths, ginghams and Prince of Wales checks in bold unison, the square route to style is the season’s simplest fashion equation.
THE NEW SKIRT SUIT
If you’re heading back to the office, or simply fed up of loungewear as your work from home uniform, upgrade your look with a sharp skirt suit. Channelling boss lady vibes of the highest calibre, whether its a Jackie O-inspired primrose yellow number or Dior’s effortlessly chic oversized white blazer and midi, the season’s hottest two-piece has ‘pay rise’ written all over it.
