Trend Blast: F/W 2016

This is going to be one FUUUUUN fall, fashionistas! There are a bunch of amazing themes and key pieces that are making waves in fashion this season. The overall vibe is laidback, but thoroughly stylish, with a little kick of attitude: romantic, but with a dark edge. Easygoing luxury is encouraged. Color tones are warm and restorative: jewel tones both punctuating and used as neutrals. Chunky heels are on point, as are OTK’s. Pointy toes and single soles are sticking around, but platforms are popping out of hiding too, as are other toe shapes, as designers experimented with round and square. And that’s just the beginning! Ready for more?

Leopard lovers, rejoice! The feline neutral is BACK in a massive way. Do it loud and proud with a full on trench coat or pencil skirt. Do it subtly with pointy toe flats or a silk scarf. But do some.  Leopard isn’t a leading factor in my wardrobe, but it’s such an iconic print that every closet (or chest of drawers ;) ) needs at least a dash of it somewhere. My personal choice is a softly leopardized oblong scarf, but a belt or bag would work nicely as well. On the flip side if leopard is your thing, go for it! Go hard. Go Shania-Twain-in-the-That-Don’t-Impress-Me-Much-vid hard. This is the season! :)  If that reference didn’t tip you off that the 90’s are back, I have big news: the 90’s are back :). (more on that forthcoming) But, the 70's are still around too. And that whole athletic trend is still thing. But then...

One of the most beautiful but complex trends shown for F/W 2016 is the Dark Romance look, a cataclysm of Victorian style and modern edge. The look incorporates opulent, feminine fabrics such as brocade, damask and lace. Floral prints are here too, but they’re not the lighthearted garden pieces of spring; they’ve gone dark and brooding, with almost sinister beauty. This gothic (not 90’s goth, more the Medieval version) elegance is then combined with unabashedly modern pieces: distressed denim, leather skirts, high-waisted sailor pants. High-necked blouses in lace or with ruffles, tie-necks and other frilly details are spot on for this styling. Don’t forget about midi and maxi skirts with intricate details here, as well as lacy sheaths, gloomy floral gowns and velvet slip dresses. Finish the look with lace-up pumps, lace-up booties or anything pointy-toed. Baubletry includes chokers and subtle spike,chain or stud details. This look in one sweet nutshell? Alexander McQueen. Check out the brand’s designs for inspiration and further study.

If you’ve been under a rock, travelling in an alternate dimension or entirely cut off from fashion in toto (I’m so sorry), you might have missed the fact that the choker has taken over the planet. If there is one MUST HAVE accessory this season, it’s the choker. The trend – a redux of 90’s style-  began in the summer and is continuing to stay strong. Material doesn’t matter much: do it on velvet, do it in leather, do it in metal, do it via a silk scarf rolled into a band and knotted. Just do it. Somehow, some way. While there are a wide variety of chokers available at every imaginable price point and configuration, this is a trend that lends itself to DIYing. If you have grosgrain (pron. “grow-grain”) or satin ribbon, a long tassel or a lengthy chain necklace, you can create your own, completely unique piece. Add a jeweled pin or clip-on earring for  a bit more bling. Chokers can bisect the neck, so be aware of shirt necklines when trying this trend. Lower necklines look AMAZING. Round neck pieces can be utilized, but the choker should sit a bit higher so there’s some space between the top of your tee or blouse and the necklace.

The 140 character or less version of “nautical” is Tommy x Gigi. If it looks like it would fit in that collection, then it’s in this seafarer-inspired modern-vintage, menswear-meets-military trend. Think sailor pants, double-breasted blazers, striped tees, cable knit sweaters and wool coats from peacoat to full-length. This look focuses on a neutral palette of predominantly navy, white, ivory and black, spiked with a hint of red. Feel free to utilize a nautical cap in creating your outfits. Since the vibe is laidback cool with an attitude, pointy or almond-toe ankle boots with a chunky heel is the footwear of choice. Accessories stay minimal…except for that silk scarf knotted at your throat :).

On the strength of the nautical trend, navy is a HUGE deal this year, much more than it has been recently. In addition to the iconic pairing with classic neutrals, it’s getting refreshed by being matched with deep teal and pine greens – the blue-er shades of the hue, which have been off designer’s radar pretty much since the 80’s. Chartreuse took over the 90’s and the rest of the lime-kiwi yellow-green family has been where the hues have been focused, but no more! After being buried all this time, these mystical dark emeralds feel intriguing and luxe. The mix with navy heads into jewel-tones territory, a very good place to go for fall, especially when combined with the other big color in fashion this year: burgundy and the wine-oxblood-barn red family. Royal purple works fabulously in this whole mélange as well, as does bittersweet orange. So, go excavate those navy blazers and burgundy cable sweaters, honeys! If you’re still in love with cobalt, mix a shot of that in, or add a sprinkle of sunlit dusty gold to play up the luxurious vibe.

Another 90’s mainstay, the slip dress, made its return to the runways and fashion’s forefront. Designers from Balenciaga to Calvin Klein to St. Laurent showed the silhouette in their collections. Back when Kate Moss and Liv Tyler made the style famous, it was worn with strappy sandals for fancy looks or classic Converse for a grungier effect. Consider appropriating the throwback styles straight up. Top the latter with a motorcycle jacket or flannel shirt to fully capture the angsty motif. Or, bring the look up to the present day and finish it with pointy toe ankle boots for  a fiercer feel. While the slip dress has an undeniable after-dark association, it can work for day when styled thoughtfully. The current rage is to layer it over a turtleneck, or underneath a drapey sweater. The latter combination is especially useful, considering that the slinky fabrics that are part of the slip dress essence show basically every curve…the ones you want show and the ones you ‘d rather not show so much. The good news is that many pieces are cut on the bias, meaning that the fabric is cut diagonally across its grain (warp goes up and down, weft goes left to right and the bias cut crosses both at an approximately 45 degree angle (and I bet you thought you’d never use geometry in real life! ;) ). Bias cut garments tend to drape fabulously and will softly flow over curves, so keep that in mind when shopping for a slip dress.
Are you totally fired up yet? How awesome are the looks of autumn/winter this year? Amazeballs, right? The Dark Romance and Nautical trends are def on my To-Do list. What are you excited to try out?