To say it’s been a weird year would be an under statement. We’ve known for some months what designers have told us we will be wearing this Fall, or would have been wearing before the pandemic struck. However, like most of us while my fashion dreams are still big my horizons are smaller than before.
This is partly due to some radical lifestyle changes. In January I made the permanent change to freelance so I don’t have meetings to dress up for and I no longer commute to an office. But does this mean I will spend the rest of my life in lounge wear, punctuated by sports wear, then back into ‘jamas? Hell no! It means I’ll still be sourcing, trying on and hopefully on occasion wearing out a whole range of practical, warm, but also dramatic and glamorous fashion.
While I may be a creative person who (clearly) adores, fashion, likes to consume culture, and think about ideas – I am also a great categoriser. I love to organise the information that is all around me. And fashion is no exception.
Therefore here is my list of this autumn’s trends. This post will focus on What is new for this season, but in other posts I will also cover:
- Which trends I’ll be wearing
- Trends that are enduring from the last two seasons
- What I’ll be giving a miss and why
My autumn edit – top ten trends
- Equestrian
At first sight this straight from the catwalk trend looks expensive and perhaps a bit too formal for every day wear. However the high street has some great ingredients to put together this look should you wish to wear them singly or to go the whole “horse”…
Boots
Blouses
Jackets
This one is from Holland Cooper which is the best place to go for riding wear that can be worn for fashion and function.
Belts
Holland Cooper also does some great Equestrian style belts, that are bang on trend this season, see below.
2. Shackets
I won’t give away yet what I think of this item of outerwear that is part way between a shirt and a jacket. All I will say here is that many are available should you choose to invest in this trend that first emerged this summer, and is quite practical for autumn as an alternative to a coat that is warm but not too warm. Many shackets are now available and ubiqitous in both faux leather, wool, and many sorts of winter check, for example
3. Platform and biker boots
Again I won’t say too much here, but my heart beat a little faster when I thought about getting into this trend. Lots going for it. Great for stomping in the leaves, and for a muddy walk, a bit tough and edgy, in theory goes just as well with jeans as a dress (though I’ve never been convinced that look works for the over 40’s though). Also, I’ve never owned a pair of DM’s as we used to school them or “Docs” as they are better known – making me a traitor to my teenage years. Anyway more on that later but here are some of the examples that have inspired me to think twice about this trend
4. 70’s denim
This trend first reappeared about eighteen months ago. I went to Topshop and was really pleased to find stretchy figure hugging but wearable flares available. So I bought one in each colour. At that point not many shops were stocking them. They were clearly not yet “in”, however they are now slowly trickling back into style, and featured on the Catwalk. This is a great alternative to the skinny, mom or straight leg and is really good for curvier figures as it balances out the hips and thighs. Here are a few examples :
Celine runway photo (Getty Images)
5. Faux leather everything
Faux leather is not new new this season, but what is new is how ubiquitous it now is. Its repetoire of garment types has expanded from leggings and biker jackets, to trench coats, shorts, dresses, skirts and all styles of trousers. It’s also available in a range of autumn friendly neutral colours and earth tones. Here are some examples that have caught me eye. Starting with two glamorous dresses, figure flattering dresses from Zara, one black and one tan then some other great value items from the high street
6. Belts with everything
Belts are very popular this season. This is great as almost anything can be made to look better with a strategically placed belt to flatter the figure. Wide belts, ornamented belts and ones with an equestrian theme rule. Skinny belts and hip belts are on the back burner for now
Here are this season’s belts to be seen in, and these designer trends are also easy to recreate with high street equivalents.
7. Statement jewellery
For a few seasons the it style of jewellery has been gold pendant necklaces or chains, worn singly or together, made fashionable by brands like Missoma.
While this trend has not entirely gone away what is bang on trend now is chunkier more statement jewellery, like the chunky chains we saw emerge over the summer.
If you are a second hand or thrift store shopper – charity shops and vintage shops can be a great source of these, and with the advantage that you won’t look like everyone else. However there are also plenty of options on the high street like this one.
8. Cardigans and tank tops (vests)
Cardigans are really having a moment after having been in the fashion wilderness since the late 90’s. Now its “in” to wear longline cardigans with a belt, cropped cardigans tucked in like a jumper or over a cami. Also many textured wool and embroidered numbers are available as part of the “granny or grandad chic” aesthetic – which may be a bit challenging for us slightly older ladies. Here are some on trend examples :
I also really like how this influencer has styled her cardigan in this outfit. Very chic, and very Carrie Bradshaw
The final knitwear trend which is definitely “in” this season is the knitted tank top or vest. This one has definitely not been seen since the 70’s, so its waited a long time to be recycled, and perhaps there is a reason for that?Anyway these sorts of items are flying off the online shelves should you wish to try it out. A good way of styling a vest is over an oversized white shirt, as below.
9. Daytime metallics, sequins and satin
This season metallics and shimmering fabrics are popular for the day as well as the evening. I’ve always been a lover of including metallics with other fabrics during the day, and this autumn there are some great affordable pieces available if you want to get on board with this trend.
You can re-create this ultra glam cat walk look with these pieces, as Xmas approaches and nights draw in :
Or if you fancy something a little more modest, then satin midi skirts are still going strong and are a great way of responding to this trend.
Or this H&M jumper has quite a designer feel if you wanted to make just a nod to the trend.
10. Square necklines and volume sleeves
This trend has been slowly creeping into the mainstream. We owe this to the 90’s revival that has gradually been gaining momentum, and its great to see a wider variety of necklines. On the catwalk this is not always the most wearable trend, but as it appears on this high street this Fall it really does result in some knitwear and dresses with glamorous necklines and dramatic sleeves.
This dress from H&M, that I am actually wearing reversed at the top of this post – covers two trends in one with its puff sleeve but also heritage type check which ties in with the equestrian theme.
H&M and French Connection also have a great range of jumpers with this season’s neckline. Variations of this jumper come in ecru, camel, dark brown and black.
If you are looking for something less muted and more party appropriate then this dress from the catwalk has clearly inspired the dress below from River Island
And pared down for the high street :
