The only six trends you need this season
Style editor DINAH VAN TULLEKEN filters the keep-for-evers from the fast-fashion fads
THE 24-HOUR TROUSER SUIT
THERE’S no escaping trouser suits this winter. The Nineties staple is well and truly back, but this time round it’s a relaxed, unstructured look.
There’s a huge range of leg lengths and shapes; my advice is to pick bright prints, fun textures, or go bold with a block colour.
Smart, chic and perfect for disguising any problem areas, the tailored twopiece is also your secret weapon for going from day to night — dress it up with heels or down with trainers. Jacket, £169 and trousers, £79.95, massimodutti.com; Top, £90, jigsawonline.com; Shoes, £49.99, zara.com
CONTEMPORARY TARTAN CHIC
FOR those who are tiring of floor-length florals, rediscover sophisticated tartan, which dominated the Autumn/Winter catwalks, from Balenciaga to Burberry.
Forget the punk era or Nineties grunge, in 2018 it’s all about grown-up styles — tailored trousers, elegant outerwear, chic midiskirts and the obligatory kilts, of course.
Team your checks with your favourite knitwear in simple, understated cuts and colours. Cashmere roll neck, £89, marks andspencer.com; Skirt, £49.99, zara. com; Boots, £250, duoboots.com
THE DARK SIDE OF FLORALS
WE LIVED in florals this summer, and designers have darkened the palette so we can wear them through winter, too.
Bewitching, black-backed wildflower prints are springing up on everything, from voluminous ball gowns to Puffa jackets, but the versatile midi is still the easiest way to wear the trend.
For inspiration, look to British designers Preen or Erdem, both of whom consistently turn out beautiful botanic designs — or fashion’s rising star Richard Quinn. Team yours with knee-high boots. Dress, £59, marksand spencer.com; Boots, £250, duoboots.com
LADYLIKE IN LEATHER
THE Duchess of Sussex was bang on trend when she stepped out in her green leather pencil skirt by Hugo Boss last week.
Leather was one of the most conspicuous fabrics on the A/W catwalks; trench coats, trousers, dresses and skirts all came down the runway in an array of colours, but I’d stick to buying a skirt.
Few of us can afford the buttery soft leather of Bottega Veneta, but Me+Em has given it a
run for its money. Top, £199, winser london.com; Skirt, £399, meandem.com; Shoes, £55.99, zara.com
LAIDBACK WINTER LAYERS
TAILORING is the buzzword this season, and layering is the key to achieving that more relaxed look that works so well.
Don’t worry about things looking a little undone. Unbuttoning your winter coat and wearing it over everything, from trouser suits to evening dresses, will add an air of casual luxury to any outfit.
Pair with elegant court shoes, a classic leather loafer or a pair of chunky white trainers. Coat, £119, zara.com; suit jacket, £199, and trousers, £140, jigsawonline.com; shirt, £228, luisa Cerano at farfetch.com; shoes, £185, russelland bromley.co.uk
TOP-TO-TOE KNITWEAR
THE A/W catwalks saw mannish oversized cable knits at Erdem, handkerchief-hemmed wool skirts at Preen and baggy jumpers with rhinestones at Christopher Kane.
Personally, I’m wary of the oversized trend, which can stray into bag-lady territory all too easily. A far safer interpretation is a simple, striped midi dress. And if you want to be brave, team yours with a pair of studded ankle boots. Dress, £269, meandem.com; Boots, £189, Carvela at johnlewis.com