A/W Trends 20/21
Voluminous red dress
When Covid-19 first arrived, fashion was the last thing on our minds and any thoughts about clothes felt indecorous and foolish in the circumstances.
But as lockdown eases and we emerge from our nests with unruly hair and a few extra pounds we need energised and motivated. Looking forward and setting our sights on better times can be hugely cathartic.
Therefore, I’m embracing the Autumn/Winter 20/21 trends rather than the Summer trends, that have been absorbed under a Corona cloud, even though it was blisteringly hot last week and it feels like summer has just arrived.
So, looking forward to fresh beginnings and an uplifting new season - What’s on the menu?
For me the key trends fell under 2 major headings; Romantic Flounce and Polished Structure. Both confident, feminine and powerful - and when mashed up together, create the opportunity for individualism.
Romantic Flounce - brings a bohemian flair and sense of freedom
Fringing
Long fine fringing was everywhere and is bound to filter onto the high street in many guises. Naturally lending itself to dresses and skirts it provides an elegant evening look but styled up with biker boots and a blazer offers a liberated day vibe. An easier take on this trend will be as trims on bags and hemlines. For SATC fans, like me, flashbacks of Carrie Bradshaw with Fendi’s floor length fringed purse, instantly come to mind.
Frills
Ridiculously romantic Edwardian ruffles continue to explode from bibs on shirts, cascade down dresses and pop out from shoulder heads, creating the biggest angel sleeves since the seventies. Balloon sleeves and volume tiered dresses and pleated skirts felt bewitchingly regal.
Boho
This staple hippy trend felt refreshed with rich fabrications of velvet, precious embroideries and intricately woven jacquards. Grown up yet folksy, it had smatterings of Normal People’s, Marianne in her blossoming Trinity phase.
Polished Structure - against a backdrop of ruffles, volume dresses and balloon sleeves came a trim silhouette.
Suiting
Waist creating tailoring, i’m delighted to say, is back with force! In particular, the single breasted blazer featured heavily and about time too. I’m all for the oversized boxy styles, but even these were cinched in with wide belts. Powerful and feminine was the message.
Big Shoulders
The exaggerated 80’s pointed shoulder, perhaps the newest shape on the block, ruled the runway. Capes hit the spotlight too, under this trend, with their ability to create shoulder width, with a bird like presence.
Skirt Suits
Keeping it feminine, skirt suits are still big business. Longer line and bourgeois in attitude. Perfect to show off hourglass curves with sass.
Bra Tops & Corsetry
Lingerie worn as tops, whether checked, lace or leather provided an ultra sexy story. If you’ve got the figure go for it or wear under a sheer blouse for a seductive vibe. Waistcoats and lace up corsetry hold in the tousled blouses and lend a romantic note.
Shirt and Tie
This masculine yet sexy trend is back. If wearing a tie feels a bit OTT, a simple white shirt is a must. Whether sharp and pleated or ruffled and floaty, this classic should find a place in every wardrobe.
Slouchy wide trousers & Over sized coats
Staying with the masculine influences, this look is very ‘When Harry Met Sally’. Length was a key theme here, with trousers puddling and coats hitting that flattering midi length. Large cinching belts and fitted inner silhouettes kept it feminine.
Think: A tight polo neck or bra top with a high waisted slouch trouser or a thigh high splitting pencil skirt under a maxi coat.
Checks
Heritage houndstooth and Prince of Wales designs in traditional chestnut and charcoal provided the pattern for tailoring. First thing on my wish list is a high waisted, farmer check, wide leg trouser.
Leather & Metallics
Maleficent meets Mad Max! This is where the 2 trends come together under one umbrella.
Leather was sleek and sexy in leggings, bra tops and body-con dresses but equally felt at home frilled, pleated and quilted. Coloured leather feels fresh again too, with red, purple and pink featuring strongly. Although coloured leather doesn’t offer much longevity in your wardrobe, a cerise bag or poppy ankle boot just might? If you’re feeling it, wear it head-to-toe because double leather is the new double denim.
Metallics provided a futuristic spin. Sequin, lurex and chain mail lend themselves to the most glamorous of pieces. Burnished or shiny, gold or silver - anything goes!
Colour Focus
With leather and velvet fabrications mixed with medieval, biker and dominatrix trends, black was in abundance. With tailoring came flannel greys, classic camel, rich cognac and a resurgence of winter white. But red was the main true colour pop, bringing a confident energy. Along with red, were cerise pinks, rich violet purples and cobalt blues and flashes of citrus lime and yellow. However, rather than the dominance of tonal dressing of previous seasons, contrasting colour choices and pops of colour were present too.
Accessories
Bags go big, whether bucket, tote or clutch and hats are back. Fedoras nodding to the sophisticated masculine trend of the 1920’s and the classic beanie tipping to street style. An ornate head piece worn instead of jewellery can be super fun or a simple beret or cowboy hat does the trick for me. Whatever your pick, it is a great way to hide a bad or, mainly in my case, a grey hair day and will instantly jazz up a basic outfit. Wide belts and fancy buckles cinch in winter’s oversized tailoring and link chain belts in silver or gold will nip in a chunky jumper dress. Statement jewellery followed suit with large link necklaces, layered bejewelled pendants and treasured charm bracelets. Equestrian and military were the inspiration for boots, with the slouched knee high and chunky soled ankle styles staying prominent.
Styling Trends
A ‘mash-up’ was a trend in itself on the catwalks. Some of my favourites, that i’ll be experimenting with include;
Socks with heels
- Chunky socks with sandals has been a long running street style trend but i’m talking lace/sparkly/fishnet/knee high socks with heels. I’ll know if i’ve gone too far when my daughters appallingly despair, - “Are you seriously going outside like that!”
Slouchy jumpers or sweats with glamorous metallics and sequin
- Simple, yet effortlessly on point.
Bovver boots with long fringed, sequinned or voluminous skirts/dresses
- Comfy dressed up with attitude = Posh Grunge.
Colour clashing
- My special favourite from the Collections was purple and red together, reminding me of Princess Diana’s outfit on that iconic visit to the Taj Mahal.
Big collared shirts worn under dresses or jumpers with collars and cuffs billowing out and conversely, shirts worn over jumpers, particularly polo-necks.
- Very 70’s bourgeois darling!
The fun of course, is in making up your own combinations. Old favourites of mine are; suiting with trainers, heels with combats and joggers with blazers. Casual-de-luxe - nailed!
I am filled with excitement on how the high street will interpret the trends. I’m busy formulating which ones will work for my body shape and style, and getting ready to adapt and work them into my wardrobe.
My A/W wish list is the subject for my next blog. I can’t wait to physically get to the shops and touch and feel the clothes. On-line shopping is a brilliant follow up, but for the initial reveal, there is no substitute.