AUTUMN weather giving you a wardrobe crisis? It can be hard to feel inspired about what to wear when the days turn grey and the nights draw in. But don’t reach for the nearest boring jumper – give yourself some style for the new season. SARAH TIMMS examines the latest trends...
THE weather is dark and grey as we move towards winter – but fortunately, dark and gloomy couldn’t be more in fashion.
This autumn you can forget pretty and innocent styles that were being worn this summer.
No, now, it is time to let out your dark side – slap on some heavy eye make-up, ruffle your hair and show off your inner rebel.
The Gothic look is well and truly back this season. While there’s those who wear it to extremes all year round, injecting just a bit of dark drama into your outfits will have you right on trend.
This was just one of the looks exhibited at Manchester In Fashion this month, which took place at the Urbis at Manchester Cathedral Gardens.
The exclusive catwalk show featured collections, including Manchester vintage-inspired brand Rags to Bitches. All were available for purchase on the main floor that held numerous fashion stalls, each bursting with their own interpretation of this season’s trends.
Other stalls included the Northwest brand Me & Yu who design quirky, cutting-edge pieces and have collected fans-of-the-moment including style guru Agyness Deyn, The Mighty Boosh’s Noel Fielding as well as a musical following with The New Young Pony Club and Robots in Disguise.
The favourite trends of autumn/winter were there for all to see. According to the catwalk, we will see bold tartan replacing last season’s summary florals and simple checks. Traditional red and green based prints are dominating the look, however, vibrant variations of blue and purple are making their way into our high street stores.
Stars such as the supermodel Kate Moss, who played it down with a tartan shirt and faded skinnies, and style queen Gwen Stefani, who added a lady-like twist with a fitted-tartan jacket and skirt combo, have been papped sporting the Scots-inspired trend.
If you don’t feel checks are too bold for you, why not make a less colourful but equally bold statement by going Goth?
Black lace, dramatic frills and patent leather are all key pieces. It doesn’t have to be outlandish scruffy boots and Robert Smith hair – Goth is strictly edgy and sexy this season. Think Agyness Deyn mixed with Vivienne Westwood.
It seems a depressing colour, but black is flattering and perfect to dress up or down – great as we move towards Christmas party season.
We’ve moved on from last Christmas’s glittery trend – no more glitzing around like a child who’s been let loose with sequins. This trend sees black shiny leggings, chunky zips and hefty buckles.
If you’re feeling brave you can combine this look with tartan for a real statement-making style.
British designer Alexander McQueen showcased his gothic predictions earlier on this season, teaming frayed-lace stilettos with ruffled tiers and black over cream and finished off with overly-backcombed hair and dramatic eye décor.
These grungy styles play the rebellious, younger sister to the sophisticated-masculine trend, which features nipped-in tuxedo jackets, teamed with high-waisted pencil skirts, structured waistcoats and classic evening-gloves.
If you want your Goth without the ‘edge’, layer these tailored shape-makers with last season’s romantic-feel chiffon, bow and ruffle blouses to soften the overall image. Although this look has a perfection-feel it’s not quite time to turn into Victoria Beckham just yet – remember to add a bold, personal touch, add an oversized corsage or an antique broach.
We said girly summer dresses were out, but don’t throw them away just yet; instead dress them up, team with thick black tights and a studded waist belt. Replace the beloved cotton cardigan with a cropped-style tux jacket to keep it smart and maintain the structure, and swap your gladiator sandals for some killer over-the-knee boots.
Like to sit on the fence with fashion? Well, slotting in perfectly between the gothic and masculine look is the directional trend. It plays with bold prints such as large, red polkadot and keeps the strong structure with waist belts and harsh cuts.
An effortless way to interpret this look into your summer favourites is to mix simple shift dresses and puff-sleeved shirts with brightly-coloured tights. Dramatise the outfit with oversized accessories such as large-bow headbands, heavy-jewelled rings and colourful platforms.
This look has been exaggerated tremendously at Topshop with their Wonderland Circus trend, which features unusual prints such as playing-card symbols. Play dress-up with sequins and ruffles in fuchsia pink and citrus orange shades.
Whatever you wear, it’s all about being bold this winter with powerful styles and colours – red and black with vibrant purple, electric blue, mustard yellow and apple green.
For the end of 2008, fashion is being daring, so follow in its footsteps and don’t be afraid to stand out this season!
