It’s hard to believe we’re already thinking about what to wear this winter, when it’s beginning to look as though we won’t be getting very much of a summer. But it’s always a good idea to stay one step ahead of the game, and there are certainly some playful trends on the horizon.
PUNK’S NOT DEAD
If you’ve ever wished you’d had a chance to live through the punk revolution, then this year at least you’ll be able to enjoy the styles, even if you don’t listen to the music or buy into the philosophy. The main points to look out for are the little touches you would expect: chains, safety-pins, PVC and tartans, but with an emphasis on looking neatly finished, rather than the shambolic-chic of the original punks. The must-have items are a short kilt, preferably in leather, and a biker jacket. The great thing about this look is that you can ‘dip your toe in the water’ with some punk-style jewelry or accessories, without making a big commitment. You can find some ideas on how to do it in this blog post.
WET AND WILD
A hot tip for the winter season is the wet look; high-shine fabrics are going to be virtually unavoidable, so you definitely want to make your statement loud and clear, before everybody else. The best garments to get in these materials are skirts, eveningwear and outerwear. Victoria Beckham’s show at New York Fashion Week demonstrated how hard her finger is pressed on the style pulse, with the high-shine look making several appearances. With the added advantage of being easy to clean, it makes a nice change for the latest look to be practical too.
TOP COATS FOR TOP CATS
The big thing in coats this winter is going to be big coats. Really big! To be totally on trend, these oversized coats should have giant revere collars and, ideally, they should be in strong colours. With the layering trend set to continue, and of course with the prospect of another cold winter, the outsize look is sure to be a winner with anyone who has ever had to sneak a set of thermal underwear into her shopping basket while her friends aren’t looking.
WARM IS COOL
Nobody wants to see your lips get so blue they clash with your coat, so it’s important to consider what you are going to do to stave off the winter chills. With the punk look, the fashion for layering and the onset of the new age of the massive coat, you’ll be able to keep warm as you play around a little with the footwear and the winter woolens. SealSkinz have a wide range of items to keep you warm, yet stylish, including snug socks that would be perfect to wear underneath a pair of biker boots with your punk outfit.
You decide what you want to wear, but it’s always nice to know where the designers are heading, because where the designers lead, the high streets follow and that’s where most of us do our fashion shopping. If you want to try something new, then go for it, but remember, the design classics like the ‘little black dress’ and vintage jewelry is always in season. The hottest trend of all, every year, is being yourself, so go out there and do it in style.