Autumn/winter trends: country casuals meets haute couture

This autumn, as many will be aware is, from a fashion point of view particularly interesting. It comes to us, at a time when many face years of austerity as the result of a crippling recession not experienced since the war. It also comes, as many will note at a rather unique point in history, her majesty the queen has just celebrated her diamond jubilee on the very same year that London is scheduled to host the summer Olympics. This year the catwalks have really reflected these events, with a distinct ‘britishness’ being felt among many designers, particularly in their spring/summer collections which featured  elegant Florals on classic cuts which can only be described as quintessentially British. This ‘britishness’ though is one of a nostalgic nature, reflecting and in many ways giving a nod to the way in which the times we now experience mirror that of 50 years ago. Most notable among such trend resurgences is the resurrection of the ball gown and use of sumptuous evening fabrics and couture techniques reworked into everyday wear. It is not surprising then that in looking to the trend for next season, I am greeted almost with mirror images of the Dior ‘new look’ everywhere I turn. Classic tailoring and precise structure have been used to create the most flattering and feminine shiluettes accentuated by these seasons must have the waist belt. 

looking to the trends of next season, one theme kept cropping up among designers, vogue.com calls it ‘countryside alliance’  and sees the earlier country influences really mature and come into their own as a viable high fashion trend. This season, look out for familiar plaids and tweeds as well as beautiful expert tailoring that appears to provide the base  for all of next seasons trends and is most definitely reminiscent of the Dior ‘new look’ of the late forties and fifties.  The coat too takes centre stage with designers such as Matthew Williamson, Burberry Prosum , Paul smith  and McQueen showing beautiful dramatic coats in earthy tones and dramatic royal purples that ooze opulence.                         

What is so great about this trend is that its super versatile, pair a tweed blazer with jeans and vintage looking pearls to add a touch of sophistication or take the lead from Burberry Prosum who paired classy tweeds with simple crisp white shirts for a clean cut yet dramatic look.

 The trouser too has undergone huge makeovers this year, and the statement trouser one of this summer’s staples will carry through into next season with softer tweedy checked prints. Be careful though, the cut of your trouser this season is more important than ever, make sure you know which cuts flatter your body shape because tailoring is at the heart of every look this season there are so many ways to wear the trouser there is no excuse for not having this staple in your wardrobe.

This autumn will also see the accessory really come into its own and move into the foreground of fashion. As the trends for the upcoming season become more dramatic often telling stories within themselves and taking on a more costume like effect ( possibly mirroring the need to escape from the bleakness of the current socio-economic and political climates) so the image one portrays becomes even more character like. What this means is that the finer details have never been more important, just like in costume it is the smallest details that really tie the whole story of the character together and really bring them to life, fashion accessories this season will be doing the same , no longer an afterthought , the accessory will be the glue that binds your look together  and will really take you  to that next level with your look and turn a really quite average outfit into a classy fashion forward piece that will really put you in the spotlight. Look out for vintage accessories, one off broaches and embellishments with long thin grouse style feathers the earthy tones will compliment your tweeds and take that country  theme one step further  (why not even add a feather to your hat), remember, try to think about creating a character with any look next season think about all the little details that will take you one step further and really pull the look together, scour the charity shops ( Oxfam and oxam.com happen to do an amazing selection of vintage accessories coats and dresses that pinpoint many of a/w’s key trends) and vintage stores for pearl style necklaces to put under shirt collars and hats . Hats are playing a huge role this season, we only have to look to Vivienne Westwood and Ralph Lauren (famous for this kind of trend) to see how a well-chosen hat tipped to the side again really pulls the look together creates the character and ups the fashion anti. Gloves too will be huge through every trend this season, try a pair of leather driving gloves for an added detail when doing this look remember  this season is really about all the minute details that really make an everyday look into something special.  

To top it all off the classic riding boot is the quintessential accessory for this trend it really makes the country statement and further helps refine and pull the look together, remember when creating a ‘look’ you really want to make a statement and to do that you really need to make sure your accessories make the look clear . a knee high boot is perfect for that equestrian feel while retaining the versatility to work with other looks.  Tousle or lightly wave/curl your hair or wear  up with clean fresh  makeup to really complete the look. why not take inspiration from the nude and pink lip collections from Dior also seen on the high-street in Kate moss for Rimmel London.