When the scent of cinnamon wafts through the air and pumpkin spice lattés make their seasonal debut in your local coffee shop, you know it’s time to put away your sandals and beach towels to make room for your scarves and boots. Autumn has come once again, and right behind it are new trends in the world of fashion to help you stand out and look your best this cozy season.
ANIMAL PRINT
Though fall is often known for its muted brown and orange hues, some designers (such as Balenciaga, Tom Ford and Calvin Klein) have decided to incorporate a few unexpected prints into the mix – specifically, animal print. These nature-inspired designs will reappear in many coats and jackets of the season and with faux fur now nearly impossible to distinguish from the real stuff, there’s no reason not to indulge while keeping our animal pals warm and safe.
While deciding how to incorporate an animal print into your wardrobe, the simplest and easiest way to do so is with shoes. Animal print shoes go with nothing and, therefore, go with everything. The muted colours (often tan or black) are a great accessory to nearly any outfit, though be careful not to get too carried away and pair it with a corresponding animal-print top. Matching patterns to one another is not the same as matching simple colours, and it’s important to keep in mind that you want to look stylish, but not “busy” (or like a Magic Eye picture from the ’90s). When wearing this print, keep it to one item only, and make sure the rest of your outfit has been tamed to ensure your chosen piece “pops.”
PLAID
Also making a return to the runway is an updated take on a Canadian classic: plaid. This isn’t your everyday flannel, however — designers like Versace and Calvin Klein are upgrading the print with a much more modern take, experimenting with altering the size and colours of everyone’s favourite checkerboard. From the bold, large prints of the ’90s, to the micro-plaid of the modern era, this pattern has a design for everyone who’s willing to try it on.
Like animal print, it’s important to keep in mind how patterns pair with one another when selecting them for an outfit. While a micro-plaid pattern in a neutral colour will pair well with most anything in your wardrobe (great for the working professional), a large, colourful print can be more suitable for the bolder fashionista. If wearing plaid in a bright colour, try to darken up the rest of your outfit with black or a deep brown to truly showcase the piece. If you’re just looking for a splash of plaid in your life, consider getting the print in a handbag to add an easy style statement to any outfit.
FRINGE
For those looking to dress things up for a night, another trend arriving for autumn is fringe. From Prada to Balmain, fringe was dancing down the runway in 2018. Though some may opt for a slight fringe added to a shoe or a bag, designers have chosen instead to decorate their dresses head-to-toe in what is typically only used as a trim. This former accent now has centre stage and is ready to make you the life of the party.
When dressing with fringe, it’s important to keep age in mind. While a teenager might opt for a micro-skirt, mature women can easily still rock the trend while keeping it age-appropriate. If you’re ready to represent this trend in 2018, look for a dress that hits at the knee or lower. In addition, the fringe itself should be long enough to highlight your movements (especially if they’re on a dance floor), but not so long that you’re encumbering yourself or whacking those around you. Also, be sure to keep the material of the fringe in mind, since it can go from “tasteful” to “tacky” if the fabric resembles party streamers. If a dress is too daunting, keep in mind that a mid-length or maxi skirt is always a good choice to dip your toe into fringe-infested waters. If you really are looking to push boundaries, choose a metallic fabric that shimmers whether under indoor lighting or sunlight.
Autumn 2018 is about prints and textures, and all pair perfectly with a warm cinnamon latté.
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