Over the last few months, the unexpected introduction of loungewear into our wardrobes has made it the ultimate staple this season. Despite Covid-19 putting a pause button on us attending the Autumn/Winter 2020 shows, we surely didn’t miss out and still got our digital dose of creativity and culture. All to get a feel for this season’s latest collections, even if it was from the comfort of our own sofas.
With designers stepping out of Corona blues and inspiring us with collections that aren’t inspired by tracksuit sets and baggy jumpers, Fashion Week motivated us to get creative and hopeful with our post-lockdown looks for next season. So, here are our favourite trends from this season to inject a bit of fun and innovation into your wardrobe.
Suit Sets
For the past few seasons, suits have dominated the runway. They give off a girl boss ambience, making them chic and sophisticated. Burberry brought back waistcoats and used multiple checked patterns to bring dimension to the look. However, Stella McCartney created blazers with asymmetric detail. Having a block-coloured suit and adding a twist can help bring out a whole new side to the look. Wearing a three-piece suit can really make you stand out from a crowd and mixing patterns alongside that can make it a look to remember.
Statements Sleeves
Puffy sleeves can be a daring yet, elegant look for both day and night. Emilia Wickstead and Alexander McQueen are just two of the many designers that brought back puffy sleeves for Autumn/Winter 2020. Combining puffy sleeves with different materials and patterns can help elevate an outfit as well bringing drama to the look. The sleeves have been a cult item to own since Spring/Summer 2019 and have been a staple ever since. The trend can coincide with a satin skirt or any bottoms that are fitted close to the body to really bring out the puffiness of the sleeve.
Ruffles
When done wrong, ruffles can look old fashioned and can swallow you up. However, this year, ruffles have made a come-back with the likes of Erdem, Edeline Lee and Roksanda. Erdem used ruffles on a subtle print to intensify a look, whilst Roksanda layered the ruffles and used the detail on block colours for emphasis and exaggeration. In order to get more creative with your style, pair a dramatic ruffled piece with more subdued accessory to make them pop.
Checked Print
Check has conquered the runway this season with designers from Burberry to Victoria Beckham adopting the print for their Autumn/Winter 2020 shows. Stella McCartney incorporated check in to their oversized coats and co-ordinated knitwear and used darker tones such as blacks, navy blue and red for the colder season. On the other hand, Victoria Beckham used a mixture of cool and warm tones as a contrast for her looks. Check is a staple print to use in Autumn/Winter and having a good quality piece that can be styled in different ways can really enhance your look.
Stripes
The Spring/Summer 2020 runway was all about stripes so, there is no surprise they made a comeback this season. Exchanging pretty pastels for varsity stripes, Burberry has nailed the Harry Potter look coming up next season. Henry Holland’s S/S20 collection had a mixture of strong, theatrical and intense stripes which was adopted by Burberry however, with a more colourful and back to school style. Pairing a striped dress with patterned/lace tights can really amplify a look.
Leather
Leather is a staple material everyone should have in their wardrobe. From jackets to trousers, it has been a recurring trend that will never go out of style. Alexander McQueen used a lot of leather in the upcoming season. Using leather with a mixture of lace to create a delicate look and mixing black leather with red and purple to create drama. Mixing materials can elevate a look and make it seem new, fresh, and interesting. Mithridate used leather in a lot of pieces this season, using neutral tones such as browns and pale pinks to look more effortless.
Words by Manisha Sodera
Graphics by Latisha Fleckenstien
