This season I shall be mostly wearing...
Chunky Knits Keep You Warm
So what will the self respecting Londoner be wearing this winter? Well probably what they always wear, but the shops will be stocking the latest trends and here is what will be included.
So what are this season’s essentials? Corduroy, in beige or black, for trousers, skirts, hats, bags and blazers. This is probably one of the strongest looks for this season, the cord trousers or skirts should be worn with a chiffon flowery blouse for women and with a flowery vintage shirt for men. However don’t mix and match cord, especially not black and beige together.
Vintage or retro gear is still here, this time for men’s shirts and women’s accessories like bags and shoes.
Winter is the time for big, snuggly coats and this season’s style is sheepskin. This is carried over from last winter but this winter sheepskin is less subtle, the coats around at the moment are very 70’s with exotic trims and big hoods.
The final essential item is a skinny scarf, the longer and louder the better. It should be knitted and probably stripy in all the colours of the rainbow. French Connection have a mens stripy scarf which is slightly more subtle for £25, it is imaginatively called Mens multi stripe scarf.
Now for women we have four styles for you to choose from. There’s gothic, starlet, grungy and retro sport.
What about gothic? Sorry but this does not mean that Slipknot t-shirts or leather trousers are in, this season’s gothic look is less scary and more sexy! Floaty chiffon is teamed with crochet knits in black, with highlight colours of claret (dark red) and plum (dark purple).
A good key item for this trend is a black, layered chiffon skirt e.g. Topshop for £38. This can then be worn with a crocheted black or plum coloured top for a sexy party outfit.
So who wants to be a starlet? 20’s and 30’s glamour is back, but this time with a Hollywood twist, a slightly darker version of Marilyn. This is the ultimate party look for all this years Christmas parties, with sexy satin dresses and faux fur. Over the top glamour is the key with sequins and embroidery, covering every inch.
The key item for this look is the sheer wrap, worn over plain strappy tops, these look incredibly gorgeous and come mostly in gold or silver tones. Topshop do a beautiful wrap, which is white with brown sequin detail for £45, none of these wraps are cheap due to the embroidery or sequin detail on them, but they are a good investment as they can be worn with a range of things.
With the Starlet look comes the RED matt lipstick, great if you can wear it but makes most people look like the undead.
How about grungy then? Nirvana are back and with them comes a new edge on the grunge look, where blokey items like parkas, bomber jackets or combats are combined with ultra feminine chiffon tops or skirts. This trend includes the military look, with faded khaki and retro military badges etc. However camouflage is not back in and should be avoided at all costs! Mango do a fantastic green military coat for £51with belt and gold stud detail.
If you’re intending on visiting the gym sometime soon to shed some pounds and get a head start before Christmas then you’ll be into retro sport. Well the 70’s had to be in somewhere, with jogging bottoms, zip tops and t-shirts, all covered in retro logos and in bright colours. Not to be worn all at once but the zip tops and t-shirts look great with jeans.
So you’ve got your outfits sorted, how about the accessories? Boots and shoes have evil looking pointed toes this winter, very Cruella De Vil! Mainly in black or brown but plum features in the shoe department as well.
Bright red lipstick is always a good colour and Office do a pair of ankle boots in this colour called ‘Pili Demi Boot’ for £69.99.
Handbags are still essential and have tassels, embroidery etc. or are found in plain black leather.
Trends for men this season are Ski sport, retro and navy.
The apres-ski look, without the dodgy sunglasses. Lots of knits in this look, with a slightly retro edge, including this seasons oddest the trend the ‘alpine sweater’; the ones with snowflakes and bright colours on, very strange! Also zip tops with retro stripes and again a strangely 70’s feel.
These knits are worn with denim or tweed trousers and big parkas or gillets (sleeveless padded coats).
Retro, ah, that word again! This season’s retro is an excuse to wear flamboyant shirts, with floral print and frills… only for the very brave.
Topman has a lovely green paisley shirt for £25, it is actually nicer than it sounds, which would go well with a pair of flared jeans.
Cord flares and blazers are big and colours should clash but tastefully so, if there is such a thing.
The skinny scarf look comes under this heading and looks fab with a retro style blazer.
Navy is a slightly odd trend that has sneaked in to cover the more tailored look, but includes other items.
Big thick white woollen knits are included in this trend, as are stripes in navy blue of black.
Men never seem to do much in the way of accessories but an item I think is fantastic is the Monkey Beanie, from Topman for £10, v cute!
Now it is time for me to impart a bit of fashion wisdom, as we are poor students there is no point trying to follow every trend and changing your style every month.
It is better to simply buy some of the key items, which can be bought relatively inexpensively.
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Photos courtesy of Topshop and Topman
