Autumn Winter Fashion Trends 2018
I hope you enjoyed reading part one of this season’s Autumn Winter Fashion trends and here’s the second instalment just for you:
4. Lady in Leather
Think buttery and soft…then you know you’re onto a winner. Designers have been making clever use of leather for decades now and I love how the quality has evolved. The price of leather clothing has dropped considerably and if you are hankering after the perfect jacket, you can pick one up for around £300-£400. There are imitations (‘pleather’, or plastic leather), which are less expensive, more durable and often machine washable, and which look so remarkably like the real thing that you might struggle to tell the difference. If you are wearing leather near your armpits, consider a ‘sweat catcher’ as the dry-cleaning bills can add up. Try Uniqlo’s short or long-sleeved scooped neck HeatTech tops to provide a hidden layer between your skin and the leather. For longevity and cost-per-wear, stick to lovely neutrals – black, navy, charcoal, tan, teal and beige. One word of warning: leather can date, especially in the cut of jackets and trousers.
My top pick for this season is this gorgeous reversible jacket from Massimo Dutti in tan: one side leather and the other suede at £249:
5. Pleats, Please
You need to trust me on this one…Pleats, especially pleated skirts, suit EVERYONE. Yes, each and every one of the six main body shapes. What you need to ensure is that the weight of the fabric is light, floaty and slightly sheer (think chiffon), and that the pleats are as narrow as possible. Waistbands should sit below the navel by about 5cms. Hemlines work well either below the knee or mid-calf. This is a flattering and wearable trend that hasn’t gone away for precisely this reason. I love this John Lewis skirt, great shine, colour and movement and it’s £45:
6. Statement Silks
This trend has my name all over it! I LOVE silk; it must be to do with my heritage and with my mum, who wore silk saris. Other than cashmere, it is the most luxurious fabric to wear against the skin. But it’s not cheap and can be high maintenance so consider it an investment – or buy a silk scarf, which can be worn with a number of items. The good thing about a bold, fussy, silk print is that it will hide a multitude of stains. Plain silks, however beautiful, show up every mark, so don’t wear them when eating a bowl of spaghetti! For some silk inspiration, head over to Liberty to see their gorgeous selection of plain and printed silk fabrics which start at £49.95 per metre: https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/department/fabric/silk/
Again, if you are wearing silk under your arms, add a thin layer of clothing to catch any sweat or deodorant marks so that you don’t need to over wash the garment. You really are spoilt for choice this season and if you fancy buying fabric and getting something unique made, then head over to Liberty London:
