Crisis redressed

Our priorities have changed and so there has been a rethink regarding trends for this autumn/winter. Stephanie Smith picks out key seasonal looks.

Has the coronavirus crisis changed fashion for the better? It’s too early to say for sure, but it has underlined and focused minds on what we already knew – that fast fashion and the desire for newness are killing the planet. So the focus for autumn/winter fashion is on longevity and adaptability. The enforced slower pace of lockdown means that many of us now want to invest in relaxed quality clothing and footwear that will not date but will style up and down with ease, depending on where our day does (and does not) take us.

This is not the whole story, however, because a fair few of us have also rediscovered fashion’s ability to uplift, inspire and please the senses. We post on Instagram to prove it, even if we are all dressed up with almost nowhere to go.

Then there is the Back to Work state of mind. Even if we are not physically back in the office, we might, occasionally, still want to show we mean business – the new easy tailoring fits the bill perfectly.

With all this in mind, these are the key revised and rebooted autumn/winter 2020 trends to look out for on the high street and in online stores.

And knee-high boots – a modern classic combination that represents a sound style investment. Choose a neat graphic print for a contemporary edge and boots that tone with one of the shades in the print, for a co-ordinated approach. This is one of the newly released Hero AW20 looks from Marks & Spencer – the camel coat enhances its timelessness, and these are pieces to wear for years to come.

Camel coat, print shirt dress and boots, all from Marks & Spencer AW20 collection.