How to wear the season’s trickiest trends
How to wear the season’s trickiest trends, seamlessly
Patent leather, open-shoulder tops, renaissance details — this fall is full of esthetically appealing yet also slightly challenging trends.
While it may seem easy to pull off these (and other) potentially problematic styles, thanks to a plethora of carefully filtered “street style” images on social media, there is an element of consideration required to ensure the looks translate seamlessly into real life.
“I love street couture, which many of the trends ignite from,” says Sarah Rutson, vice-president of global buying at Net-a-Porter. “It’s taking literal inspiration from the street and merging it with sportswear, like an oversized hoodie or giant puffer and beautiful tailoring.”
Rather than looking for inspiration and style guidance solely through swipes, Rutson recommends shoppers merge what they see on social media with tips and tricks gleaned from sources such as magazines and online editorials to help women “interpret their favourite pieces and what they like.”
One of the season’s key trends where a bit of interpretation may come in handy is with the veritable bouquet of floral-print pieces that are sure to appear on racks this fall.
While wearing a head-to-toe hit of pretty petals, as seen on the runway at Dolce & Gabbana, can make a statement for those brave enough to do so, a more universal approach to florals is to keep them contained to one key piece, such as a pair of tailored trousers, a skirt or a statement coat.
“Wearing prints or patterns is subjective from person to person,” Rutson says. “If you want the look to feel more subdued, then keep to one hero print piece and pair it with something simple.”
Another fail-safe way to add florals into your everyday rotation is by embracing a bag, scarf or even a pair of shoes that provide a hint of garden-worthy garnish. This ensures the print doesn’t overwhelm your frame, while also upping the chances you’ll get your cost-per-wear investment out of the piece.
For those who are looking to turn up the drama — or the Instagram-ability of a look — consider trying what Rutson and her team have dubbed an “artful mash-up,” or the pairing of a printed piece such as a floral blouse with another printed item such as plaid trousers for a mix-and-match appeal that’s totally on trend.
“(This) was so beautifully and masterfully shown at Prada and Gucci,” Rutson says. “It’s mismatched prints and textures that are vivid and bold from head to toe.”
According to Rutson, there’s one simple rule that will ensure complete sartorial success for even the most timid of print wearers: “If you’re not a sure how to wear them, or maybe aren’t a huge fan, try going for something more graphic and keep it away from your face.”
The tricky textiles don’t end with prints. Another area of potential hazards lies in the season’s proliferation of velvet pieces.
The tufted textile, which has a soft and distinctly dense pile, has been around for centuries. But despite its rich history, the feel-good fabric hasn’t become more figure flattering than its first iterations.
While tailored blazers and velvet mock-turtleneck tops are chic ways to wear the trend, much like prints, the easiest way to wear velvet
is as an outfit add-on.
“The best way to incorporate velvet is through accessories,” Rutson says. “Whether it be shoes, boots or bags, it really gives that element of luxe and the fabric really takes on colour so beautifully.”
Perhaps the most strenuous style element of the season is the surprising popularity of a winter mainstay: the puffer coat. The stuffed style, which isn’t exactly a new idea for winter, received an almost terrifying twist from some top tastemakers, such as Balenciaga and Marques Almeida.
“Scale — it’s all about oversized and making your puffer a hero piece,” Rutson says of the bigger-is-better silhouettes.
“You’re wearing it as a fashion statement, so it goes beyond just being a practical and warm item in your wardrobe.”
To counter the volume, stick to sleek under-pairings such as figure-hugging turtlenecks and skinny trousers.
As with all fashion seasons, the key to navigating the trickiest trends of fall is to, yes, push your comfort zone — but also make sure you are stay true to you.
“This season, it’s all about finding something that fits your personal style,” Rutson says.