Autumn -Winter 2011 Trend Alert by Nicola Landau – Image Consultant
Winter 2010 Trend Alert By Nicola Landau, Image Consultant
Spring/Summer 2010 Trend Alert By Nicola Landau, Image Consultant
Autumn -Winter 2011 Trend Alert by Nicola Landau – Image Consultant
So whilst we here in Australia are eagerly anticipating summer and the warm weather, those in the Northern hemisphere are bracing themselves for winter and the shops are brimming with new items for the Autumn /Winter season. So what are the current trends that will be winging their way over to us early next year?
Luxurious Minimalism
Luxurious minimalism is a fundamental trend for Autumn/Winter. Elegant, restrained style is back, edgy but sleek. Pieces are minimalist but of luxury fabrics such as cashmere and silk. These looks are sleek and expensive. Less is definitely more for this season. The colour palette is based on navy, black, camel, grey and white. Just do not be tempted to over accessorise or you will kill the look!
50s Retro Dressing
At last the female form is being recognised and appreciated once more. Full skirts nipped in at the waist are everywhere. The bust is worshipped with balcony corsetry and a womanly figure is celebrated. Lady –like structured handbags compliment this look.
Trousers
Trousers are (thankfully) back. Skinny cigarette legs have been slightly cast aside as the new trousers are elegant, flattering and often wide-legged. Flares are back! The fabrics are luxurious and a good cut is essential. Often worn with a silk blouse and heels they are a joy to behold and work well for night or day.
Camel Coats
Camel coats were already hot news last autumn and remain so in the coming year. Any variation of the colour works with coats arriving into the shops in every style and shape imaginable.
Utilitarian Chic
The parka is also still around – a great contrast to the smart camel coat mentioned above. This utilitarian, urban glamour look works well for functional daily dressing but can also add an edgy element to jeans or a dress for the evening.
Maxi
Maxi skirts and dresses are an important current trend. There is a grunge glamour undertone with long skirts being worn with slouchy knits, even as eveningwear.
Capes
Capes are back. Cosy and relaxed these can still look elegant . A little caution is advised when buying as to the shape and length of a cape and the effect that it has on your body shape.
Knits, Corduroy and Tweed
Knits, corduroy and tweed fabrics also have come into their own and are an important component of this seasons looks. Often in autumnal colours all layered up and topped with caps. This is a modern fresh take on the classic country look.
Lace
Lace is a firm favourite with the fashion pack – it is having a moment in the limelight. Lace can be seen on any conceivable garment from shirts to evening gowns.
Fur
Fur (much of it faux), was back on the catwalks and is now in the shops. Winter white is the predominant colour but shades varied from snow white to white flecked with black. Shrugs, coats have a rock and roll edge. Fur also could be seen with stripes and in shaggy styles.
Accessories
Grown up handbags have taken the place of slouchy shapes and glitzy designs. Bags that are classic, simple but elegant, in quiet neutral colours with snap closures lead the way for this season.
Portfolio /envelope bags for day have also been widely seen – these are great to compliment a working wardrobe in particular.
Evening- wear bags have taken on a more edgy look with studs, crystals and chains.
Belts are skinny – waists are “in” so cinch yourself in with a skinny belt in shades of green, brown and black. A more contemporary take on the belt was given at the shows by twisting the belt and knotting it rather than using the buckle in the conventional way.
Shoes
High-heeled hiking boots have hit the fashion headlines. Its all in the details of the shoe, whether that be buckles , straps or thick soles.
An alternate look is the court shoe, often with a block heel and colour blocking. Mid height heels remain a dominant look also whether they be conservative and demure or roughed up with studs.
Winter 2010 Trend Alert By Nicola Landau, Image Consultant
The Big Shoulders
The 80s are back but with a more contemporary, sophisticated feel. Killer shoulders reign supreme. Go as large as you dare. There are three key shapes: the power shoulder, the puffed and the pagoda shoulder. If aiming for this trend, its best and most flattering to keep the bottom half of your silhouette slim and wear heals - high heels!
Eighties Glamour
It looks like disco time again. Flashy, bright, short, body-con dresses are back once again on the radar. Anything shiny, sparkly or with embellishment will work, with an emphasis on sequins, silks, lame and mirrors. Silver is the number one choice of colour. These dresses can be worn with opaque black tights or bare legs. To take them from the actual 80s into today, swap the courts for statement shoes.
Fierce
There is a fierce look running through this season. Leather is everywhere - biker leathers, dresses, skirts and trousers. Chunky metal jewellery, chainmail knits and studs are used throughout. It’s the accessories that really make this trend though.
Masculine/feminine
There is also a strong masculine/feminine, androgynous look. Tailored blazers, and boyish brogues are strong elements of this look.
Animal
Fur is everywhere on garments of every type and shape – in a myriad of vibrant colours. Mongolian shearling capes, sheepskin lined gilets and jackets. Big is best. To avoid looking like an actual wilderbeast, keep the rest of your silhouette close to your body shape. Animal prints can also be seen in abundance.
Layered Knits and Pleats
Knits are layered and long fringed scarves are looped around the neck. Pleats are back – and not in a dated, neat way but in adding ornament, structure and embellishment.
Draping
Draping remains a big look for the season, with great silhouettes and softly draped jersey. Some definition is needed around the waist to really make the best of the trend for your body shape.
Winter Florals and Houndtooth
As a contrast to the fierce fashion look, winter florals are back. Worn in dark prints with opulent accessories this was a feminine rich look on the catwalks. There is also starting to be an emergence of dogtooth prints. Worn as an oversized print paired with great accessories such as a patent belt, the print becomes modern and chic.
Blues
Muted blue is the colour of the season, both flashes of it and pure colour garments. Pale petrol blues, teal and muted blue-greys are everywhere.
Thigh High Boots
Crotch high leather boots are everywhere. Whether flats or sky -high heels, these boots end where a micro mini begins. Leather for a more dramatic look, suede for a slightly more demure take on the trend. Chunky hiking boots are a take on this look also.
Jewellery
Eye-catching jewellery is a huge trend. Necklaces take pride of place, the bigger the better with chain links leading the way.
Spring/Summer 2010 Trend Alert By Nicola Landau, Image Consultant
Thankfully spring summer fashions are arriving in the Northern Hemisphere giving them hope that the long winter is finally leaving them and exciting us with a glimpse of what we can expect for our spring summer this year.
Athleticism and the Outdoors Life
The look is full of nods to the sporting life. Scuba and surf heavily influences many designs injecting the season with an element of fun and colour. This influence is mainly found in the body-con trend with skintight sporty pieces, in new fabrics and neon surfer shades. Mesh, perforated fabrics and hoodies can be unexpectedly found on pieces.
Army/Military
The military look is back. From jackets to cargo pants the look is utilitarian but polished. Kahki is everywhere. This look is easy to wear and can be worn for work or more casually - Chic olive shirtdresses for work, multi-pocket khaki jackets – the more buckles straps and pockets the better. MaxMara, Chloe, Stella Mcartney all explored a wearable feminine approach to military.
Romance and Fairy floss
Romance is everywhere. Sugary colours good enough to eat were on every catwalk. Pastels, the colours of sugar almonds set the fashionistas cheering. Diaphanous, frou frou shapes and feminity are the key words and looks. Sheer and floaty fabrics dominated.
Lingerie
Underwear now has become outerwear! If it’s not on show, it’s not worth wearing. Lacy, silk lingerie should only be covered by some ruffled, sheer chiffon !
White
White is probably the key colour of the season. Clean, fresh, bright and can be worked from head to toe.
Nudes
Nude colours are also a strong look. Garments often mixed more than one tone together, a nude with a peach, a grey with an icy blue. The materials used were often rough cut and ragged in their finishing roughing them up a little.
Blue
If you are not a fan of the nude and pastel colours then head for blue. Cobalt is a strong colour for the season… and actually works well as a contrast to the nudes.
Shorts
Shorts are the season’s must buy if you have the legs to get away with them. For work, think tailored cuts and for the weekend, think causal styles in white and safari hues.
Prints
Bigger is better when it comes to prints this season. The more clashing, the more of a statement you make! Florals, geometrics in vivid eye-popping colours are a strong trend. Digitally manipulated prints have come to the forefront of fashion. They are best used on shorts, thigh high dresses and tunics.
Draping
Drapery remained a big influence in the shows. Classics have been given a modern edge, such as the new trench from Burberry, which is draped. A good tip is to wear a gathered or draped top to add volume to a smaller chest. A draped skirt will disguise wider hips and draw the eye elsewhere.
Loose Tailoring
Summers suits are chic and effortless. They are tailored but laid-back with a low key but pulled together feel to them.