AUTUMN TRENDS

to love on the High Street

WHERE you can get a decent coat? What animal print will make you look more like Alexa Chung and less like Bet Lynch? Which decade should you really be channelling?

Warmer weather is already starting to feel like a distant memory — as are cute summer dresses, canvas bags and espadrilles. So now is the perfect time to start casting your thoughts towards your new season wardrobe and what trends are worth investing in.

Autumn 2018 comes awash with fresh new ideas. There’s heavy heritage tweeds and extreme layering, head-to-toe animal print and a subversive spirit of the 1970s we’re calling ‘new neutrals’ — translated on jackets, dresses and footwear in rich, rusty shades.

The emphasis on layering inspired by Simone Rocha and Balenciaga has refocused designers’ thoughts on oversized blanket coats and the capes already being snapped up in Mango, Zara and H&M.

Tweed is also one of the biggest fabrics of the season, seen on boxy oversized coats at Miu Miu and Calvin Klein, and snug and fitted jackets at Altuzarra. Zara, Warehouse and The Kooples in Brown Thomas are already playing with versions on the High Street.

I’m guessing some of you have spotted the surge of animal print in shops and on the streets. Fashion has gone completely wild for zebra, big cat and crocodile patterns, with a big focus on black and brown patterns.

There are even bolder prints in black, green and red shades — see the Michael Kors midi dress (pictured). Victoria Beckham and Tom Ford have also some interesting versions which should translate through to high street versions soon. Until then. here is an edit of best trend-driven pieces on rails right now...