Autumn Winter 2016’s fashion trends may be wildly different from each other, but they’re all supercharged with one major element… creative individuality. There’s something about right now that’s helping boundaries to be pushed and new sartorial ground to be stomped upon.
The industry is in a major state of reworking, the concept of ‘see now and have to have now’ is increasingly important (well who wants to wait?). Many designers and brands are rethinking not only how they present their collections but when and to whom. The old-school fashion calendar or idea of the runway show is being pinched and tweaked into new forms, this overdue disruption has sparked an inventive energy.
Some of the most talked about labels of AW 16 didn’t even have fashion shows. Some hyped-up names created limited-edition runs only and are challenging the norm with super-high price points or controversial trends. But all fashion editors are in agreement that now is the time to be you, take AW 16’s trends and make them your own. Mix and match if you want to. Wear head to toe if you want to. Don’t be afraid to step out of the norm, individualism is the new key trend.
What’s great about the new season is that it’s about reviving pieces you already have in your wardrobe and tweaking them, from the trench coat, tweed jacket, velvet dress to the statement earrings you might have already invested in. This is obviously pleasing to our credit cards but not to our need for buying for season clothes!
I’ve divided up my findings into 12 key trends – from the colour of the season and the key boot style to the party look we’ll all be wearing (spoiler alert: think sequins and more sequins) and the coats EVERYONE will be investing in. Crazy creativity and confusion is exactly what fashion is right now, it’s time to brave individuality to the MAX!
Your guide to your autumn winter 2016 shopping list starts here:
Duvet Days – Oversized Outerwear and Quilting
It probably won’t come as a surprise that coats are going to be important this autumn winter, after all it is going to get cold! The coats that sauntered down the London Fashion Week catwalks were oversized, slouchy, long, huge sleeves and collars. Anything goes as long as it’s big, bold and beautiful. Move one size up this season because oversized is the way to go, the puffa jacket is back, I’m predicting you’ll see quilting everywhere.
Sparkling Sequins – Metallic Madness
Although this trend and look reappears every autumn winter, all things that glitter are back in a big way this season. Think sequins, sequins and more sequins. Sparkle and shimmering metallics were a mainstay across the London Fashion Week catwalks. It doesn’t matter whether you choose full-on, head-to-toe sequins or a more subtle shimmer, as long as you’re shining, you’re doing it right.
Military Force – The Iconic Trench
We all know that trench coats never really go out of fashion and are an absolute wardrobe staple, but they’ve been given a renewed lease of life this season, whether in navy buttery leather at Celine, pulled off the shoulder to show off your collar bone at Balenciaga or in black patent at Lanvin. The trench coat is definitely the winning coat of the season. Burberry, Prada, Joseph and Miu Miu each injected military influences into their autumn winter 2016 collections, so be sure to invest in a heavy-duty army-like coat this season, look for oversized gold buttons, red piping or utility pockets. Every woman should own an iconic trench.
Va Va Voom Velvet
Velvet was everywhere this season, the things you can do with it is endless, its soft, elegant and beautifully lustrous. It is the most sumptuous of fabrics and was seen down the catwalk in opulent jewel tones, take inspiration from Princess Diana in her velvet cocktail dress.
New wave Ruffles
Some were subtle – like in the skirts of the Peter Pilotto dresses or the sleeves in the Roksanda blouses – and some were less so, but they were all beautiful. J.W. Andersen led the way with this trend giving us ruffled mini skirts and dramatic polo necks.
This season’s ruffles incarnation has been dubbed ‘new wave’ among fashion insiders, a nod to the idea that these are less romantic than with traditional frills. This time round, they’re more structured and modernist as seen at JW Anderson, Comme des Garcons and Vetements
Chunky boots
These boots were truly made for walking… Prepare for an influx of utility styles for the new season as designers favoured more heavy-duty, practical styles as seen as Louis Vuitton, Alexander Wang, Prada and Valentino I’m predicting the high street heroes will case a riot
The corset revival
Cast aside any aspersions you might have about corsets being restrictive, this season they’ve been deconstructed, worn open and over the top of clothes like at Prada. At Loewe, models wore armour-like gold corsets over white T-shirts and Louis Vuitton served up ready-for-battle black leather bralettes. Fashion has reclaimed the corset and it’s never looked so warrior-like.
Aviator jackets
If spring/summer 2016 belongs to the bomber jacket next season is all about the aviator jacket. At Gucci it came oversized, incorporating traditional stripes of cuffs with new modern details, like the orange padded lining.
Wide-leg trousers
If straight-leg trousers were big this season, then perhaps fashion’s new love of a wide-leg is just a continuation on the same theme. Celine, Proenza Schouler and Topshop all showed breezier styles for the cold months. Think Katharine Hepburn and you won’t go wrong.
Make A Statement – Earrings
From Valentino and Marni to Stella McCartney and Gucci, earrings were once again the jewellery of choice for autumn winter 2016. They’re big, bold and the ultimate way of dressing up your look without having to try hard.
Victoriana Luxe – All black everything
If you’re the kind of person who wakes up and decides between six or seven different but kind of the same all-black outfits, this trend is going to make you sing. Top-to-toe all-black looks sauntered down the runways at Daks, Felder Felder and Simone Rocha but they were inventive, new and oh-so-exciting.
Love your inner Leopard
Release your spirt animal thanks to this cool classic, having been rescued from the sin bin, leopard is now sophisticated for both night and day. It’s the go with anything print that just became purrrrrfect.
The Great Outdoors – Reality Check
There is a serious resurgence of Scottish fabrics this season, featuring timeless tartan and tweeds but also those warm and tactile pieces in classic autumn colours of elegant butterscotch, shades of camel and yellow browns that make for a very sophisticated look. Checks are also a great way to add a non-scary pattern to your wardrobe. Hunting, shooting, fishing, one of the major arching themes this season sees the traditional British pursuits played out on the fashion field. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in fashion, it’s a breath of fresh air when some practicality roots you to the ground.
Those are just a few of the trends this season, the ones I predict will be the biggest. This means so many different looks are available out there for Autumn Winter 2016, from tartan to animal print, military trenches, puffa jackets to sparkle and shimmer, ruffles and bows. There is bound to be one for you. If you are the type of lady that welcomes winter dressing (covering up your body and wearing black!) then fear not. You are not alone and it’s about time you let Cleo into your wardrobe so we can improve that confidence and self-esteem because you really ARE worth it, but most of all… have some fun. .
Your Fairy Clothes Mother x
