After a seemingly endless summer, the new fashion season has finally arrived. Autumn 2018 promises to bring with it a batch of fresh ideas, from spins on iconic British heritage looks, to (yet another) revival of Eighties style. There are updates on how to wear your coat (a technique-led trend that anyone on any budget can accomplish) and new ways to wear neon (it looks great, honestly). The only question to ask yourself; Which trend should I try first?
Extra coatings
Why choose one great coat for the new season, when you could wear seven? This was the school of thought at Balenciaga, Simone Rocha, Missoni and more, where looks came with more layers than a millefeuille; blanket throws, puffa jackets, capes, waterproofs, et al. Back in the real world, you might want to simplify the styling (and reduce the bulk) by just adding a thick coat over a thinner one in a contrasting colour. Snug.
Animal magic
Python, zebra, cheetah, croc and more animal prints roamed free and wild across the catwalk shows this season. Victoria Beckham showed devotion to leopard print, Isabel Marant backed snake pattern trousers, while Tom Ford couldn’t decide and spliced together as many patterns as he could in a single look.
Leopard print is undoubtedly the season’s first runaway trend, but once you’re sick of seeing it everywhere, try something snakier for size. As well as the obvious animal lovers, unlikely handlers like Emilia Wickstead have coaxed it into some extremely pretty dresses. Gucci, as you’d expect, took the trend literally; models carried plastic king snakes (and baby dragons) as accessories.
The new neons
Miuccia Prada is bringing back neon. But not garish, Niceday highlighter neon. The new hues are fruitier, with watermelon, lemon and lime making for a delicious palette. Best worn as a stand-out pop of colour amongst a navy, black, grey or beige outfit.
Super-sized sparkle
The jumbo sequin is here and ready to meet all your party needs. Preen’s looks were encrusted with pearls and giant paillettes, Balmain’s models were positively iridescent. Julien Dossena at Paco Rabanne wins best in show; his silver chainmail dresses were meshed with pixel-style sequins so big that they would look beautifully blurry as you twirl in them on the dancefloor.
Haute heritage
The Queen’s Balmoral look served as inspiration for many, with tweeds everywhere, from Marc Jacobs to Miu Miu, but it was, as always, Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel, who proved the most devoted, as dozens of models crunched through his carpet of crisp autumn leaves wearing the fabric.
Blanket coverage
The new wraps are bigger, snugglier and cut a more dramatic silhouette than those that came before. Swag a patterned blanket nonchalantly over your shoulders as seen at Roksanda, or take care to artfully drape and tuck it as at Giorgio Armani. Pick belts and brooches to literally tie the whole look together.