I’ll be frank — if you’re someone who worships at the altar of new and
exciting trends, then this isn’t a stellar season. There’s a lot of black, a
lot of stuff that you need to be ultra-skinny and have a Janice Joplin
lifestyle to carry off (and look where that got her), a lot of same old,
same old. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for singular, investment
pieces that nod to what’s now without forgetting the important bits
(flattering our bodies), then take heart: they’re out there. You may need to
put in some footwork to track them down. Alternatively, you could lift from
this little lot below. Honestly, I’d be honoured.
1 The sequin
How to wear: Brazenly. This winter it’s about wearing them as daywear
as much as eveningwear. In real life, they work best either as a
floor-length, curvy, stop-the-traffic evening dress or mixed in with tweed,
leather and wool. Wearing them with blue denim, however, looks too WAG,
circa 2004.
Practicality: High — they’re wipe-down, after all.
Longevity: Infinite.
On-trend credentials: They’re so now, they’ll be over and done with in
a few months. On the other hand, sequins will always come back into fashion,
and even when they’re not absolutely hot, they’re an easy way to inject some
glamour into an outfit.
2 The blazer
How to wear: The perfect way to smarten up trousers of all shapes. It
also works with pencil skirts, but if you’re going the puffy, tulip route,
you need a cropped jacket that stops at the waist. Brilliant with the
(still) ultra-fashionable Breton knit top.Practicality: The dilemma
in winter is how to wear a jacket or blazer with a coat. You need to be
clear about this when you’re buying. Either you opt for one that’s warm
enough to double as outerwear in the milder months, in which case it will
have limited life in the average over-heated office, or you buy one that’s
thin and sufficiently supple to glide seamlessly under a coat.The Luella
Winston jacket (around £475 from Harrods) falls into the former category,
but that doesn’t mean that you won’t get plenty of wear from it on weekends
(turn the thermostat down at home), on the way to work and whenever you need
to throw on something that pulls the rest of your outfit into sharp focus.
Longevity: Bona fide classic
On-trend credentials: Excellent
3 The tailored-but-slouchy trousers
How to wear: With tucked-in tops or jackets that stop at the hips, and
strong, defined shoulders. If you want to accentuate your waist, be sure to
wear a belt.
Practicality: It’s a trouser season — you could end up living in these.
Longevity: These are stayers for the foreseeable future. Invest in a
good pair.
On-trend credentials: The catwalks were teeming with skinny leather
leggings or droopy crotches, so this may seem like a compromise, but worn
with slick accessories (patent’s back) they’re by far the most chic option
for most women.
4 The knitwear
How to wear: Dressed up. Tailored knitwear pieces are a viable alternative
to jackets, and probably more useful for layering in winter.
Practicality: Some of the ultra-chunky knits made strong style
statements on the catwalk, but in reality they’re bulky and hot. Look for
knits that can be tucked in, as the high waistband isn’t going away. Knits
that can be draped are a brilliant addition to any wardrobe.
Longevity: The moths will get to them before they go out of style.
On-trend credentials: It’s knitwear, for heaven’s sake — it’s always in
style. But look for stripes (they are to jumpers what trench-coats are to
outerwear, a touch of eternal chic), shaggy textures, boat necks and
sleeveless tanks and you’ll be bang on the money.
5 The skirt
How to wear: As a passport to colour. It’s tempting to go for a dark shade
in the belief that it will minimise hips and thighs, but it’s easy to end up
in sombre shades from head to tights. A bright or neutral skirt can look
more interesting and add a new set of permutations to your wardrobe. Always
go for matt fabrics — unless you’re considering leather or sequins.
Practicality: A subtle, knitted A-line (Sonia by Sonia Rykiel has good
ones in grey and coral) might be more useful and you can wear it with boots,
unlike the pencil skirt.
Longevity: The tulip will date. The rest are for ever.
On-trend credentials: The pencil skirt is the key shape this season,
but go with the silhouette that suits your body and lifestyle. Pencil skirts
are high maintenance, requiring high heels, skinny tops, a slim, short
jacket, sheer or completely opaque tights and a Mad Men sassiness.
6 Leather
How to wear: Try leather leggings, if you’ve got the legs for it. If not,
a skirt could be a useful option, or the classic take is a jacket. Whichever
piece you go for, avoid head-to-toe leather — it always looks trashy.
Combine one leather piece with drapey fabrics, or classic tweeds and
luxurious textures.
Practicality: Impeccable, provided you go for a dark colour and take
the appropriate steps to protect it
Longevity: In the case of a jacket, potentially unlimited, so long as
you avoid huge shoulder pads
On- trend credentials: Leather is ubiquitous.
7 The top
Practicality: If you’re planning on wearing a lot of leggings and skinny
pants, you’ll want a top that covers your rear. One hopes.
How to wear: This season’s tops fall broadly into two groups: luxurious
T-shirts (see Gap’s pocket silk Ts, £35, or River Island’s fabulous tribute
to Isabel Marant’s big-shouldered brocade tops) and feminine, pin-tucked
blouses. Use the former to inject much-needed colour into the winter mix and
the latter to contrast with tough leggings and spiky pencil skirts.
Longevity: Not such an issue if you’ve bought from the high street
On-trend credentials: While the dress lives on, this season is
definitely bringing separates back into the spotlight. Invest in tops — and
from the high street, which does them well.
8 The ankle boot
How to wear: As the classy alternative to the Barbarella thigh-wader, with
trousers tucked in.
Practicality: Faultless.
Longevity: This goes around and comes around.
On-trend credentials: Patent is back and, to quote Leonard Cohen,
hallelujah. It’s glossy, glamorous and easy to maintain. And when it’s flat,
like this Betty Jackson boot, it’s the ultimate double agent — casual but
oh-so-chic.
9 The statement accessory
How to wear: With absolutely everything. Under no circumstances should
your big, showy gems be saved for best. This is how you add colour, glamour,
frivolity and fun to what is essentially a tough, sombre season.
Practicality: Surprisingly, off the charts — with a single Marni metal
necklace (or one of the numerous knock-offs) or a cuff, such as this vintage
one at Atelier-Mayer (below), you can ring the changes on the plainest of
T-shirts.
Longevity: Proven classics.
On-trend credentials: They’re all you need to get by.
10 The court shoe
How to wear: With everything, including trousers and jeggings
(jeans/leggings, do keep up) and this autumn’s sheer and polka-dot (yes,
really) tights. Look for a heel that’s halfway between spindly and chunky
and an elegant last. These Russell & Bromleys are as classy an act as
much more costly ones — and much less predictable than Louboutin peep-toe
court shoes.Practicality: It’s patent. Enough said.
Longevity: Another style that always comes back.
On-trend credentials: Courts are giving bondage shoes a run for their
money.
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