AUTUMN / WINTER '20 FASHION TRENDS
This Autumn / Winter it’s not just about what we’re wearing but how we’re wearing it. This season’s recipe for style begins with a base of classic cold-weather staples, blended with a dash of catwalk trends, all whipped up with a new way of living, working and socialising. Now this may sound like a lot to consider, so that’s where I come in. Sit back as I give you a taster of what’s in-store and how to wear it, to help you step into the season with your most stylish foot forward.
Colour Trends, Print and Textures to Try
Colours To Wear Now
Work winter whites and warming neutrals in butterscotch, caramel and cappuccino tones into your wardrobe with knitwear and satin for luxurious lounge-to-daywear styling for women. Then inject colour to illuminate grey days using bold jumpers with a hand-knitted feel and bright, printed blouses. Meanwhile, for men, choose bright sweatshirts from Boss and Colorful Standard (blue and orange respectively) to elevate your work-from-home or weekend looks.
Check in with Pattern
The perennial trend for checked fabrics in the winter months is an obvious choice but this season it’s less country retreat and more contemporary chic in the way we are styling our plaids: contrast your checks for a fashion forward edge to your outfits. I love Weekend MaxMara’s suit and Great Plains’ scarf for women and the Reiss checked suit and MMX trousers for men as seen in The Elys Edit AW20 video. Finish with box-fresh white trainers.
Get Tactile with Texture
This season it’s about to get touchy-feely with plenty of corduroy in men’s and womenswear but it’s about elevating it to the next level - so men should pair a cord jacket with a bright sweatshirt and women should up their trouser game with a corduroy trouser like Weekend Max Mara’s baby blue option.
Leather will always be a top choice and in menswear I’m championing the Boss paper-feel leather over-shirt as your jacket update, while for the ladies it’s all about the leather skirt, dress, shirt… you name it, it’s in leather.
This Season’s Essential Buys
Introduce these key items into your winter wardrobe as the building blocks to create complete outfits.
Three Women’s Wardrobe Hits
1. Boss Double Breasted Coat
Why choose a dark coat when the colder months are darker anyway? Instead, opt for a lighter tone to brighten your outfits, because your coats will often be the items you are most seen in during the winter. Wear over your cream and caramel toned knits and joggers (check out the options by Reiss).
2. French Connection Leather Skirt
This season your update is to move away from black leather and into coloured options like this khaki green A-line midi skirt which is versatile dressing at its finest. Wear now with boots and a chunky sweater and later during the holiday season with a sparkly knit.
3. Reiss Long Leather Boots
More flattering with dresses and skirts than the ankle boot, a long boot will lengthen legs and streamline your outfits. The stretch leather, sturdy heel and chisel toe shape make this boot one to buy now, wear on repeat.
Three Men’s Must-Haves
1. Oliver Spencer Sweater - Coming soon to Elys
The men’s knitwear updates for AW20 are the hand-knit feel of chunky sweaters and colour-block detailing so this jumper from new-to-Elys brand Oliver Spencer ticks both boxes.
2. PS Paul Smith Padded Gilet
The puffer gilet was a big trend across the menswear collections for Autumn / Winter 2020 which is great for combining functionality with fashion. Layer this two-tone gilet under coats and blazers for extra warmth or over your flannel shirt and chunky knit.
3. Reiss Tailored Jogging Trouser
Is it a trouser, is it a jogger? The good news is, it’s both. The blurred lines between work and home life can be easy to navigate sartorially with your hybrid essentials, of which the tailored jogger is one. Comfort plus style equals winning at working-from-home life.
The New Brands to Watch For AW20
It’s always exciting to see the evolution of brands in-store at Elys and this season sees several new names drop into the men’s and women’s departments. Look no further for my 'Stylist’s Eye View' on the brands to watch:
For Her
Scotch & Soda: I love the brand’s use of prints and colour to inject life into your wardrobe.
Tommy Jeans: Fashion’s love of logos isn’t going anywhere and the trend for all things 1990s goes hand in hand with bold, look-at-me logos.
For Him
J.Lindeberg: Think effortless Scandinavian design with luxurious knitwear and high performance outerwear as key pieces for your wardrobe.
Coming soon to Elys - Nudie Jeans: A great addition to the Men’s Denim Edit in-store and not only is it a must-try denim brand, it’s focussed on sustainability and only uses organic cotton.
The Finishing Touches
As always, no outfit is ever complete without accessories and a carefully considered scarf, bag, belt or hat will take your outfit to the next level. Choose that plaid scarf to contrast with your checked jacket, add those bright shoes, and yes ladies, treat yourself to that Longchamp bag, while men, you need that Tumi neon trimmed backpack in your life!
Get a new season wardrobe styled to suit you by booking a complimentary Personal Styling Session in-store or online from the comfort of your own home with Helen and the Personal Styling team today.