Embrace the cold with style this season as top fashion designers rework classic trends into their latest collections. Fashion writer Laura Crichton reveals what your closet just won’t do without this winter.
Catwalks in London, Milan, New York and Paris have all displayed wardrobe classics that have been updated to ensure they are easy to style as the weather turns colder.
The chunky knit remained a firm favourite at London Fashion Week. Its versatility and ‘wear with anything’ charm saw it transform outfits to feminine chic on the catwalk.
For AW (autumn/winter) 2012, designers also displayed their own take on the famous knit. They’ve brought back the polo neck, but it’s out with the old and in with the new where this style is concerned. Instead of functioning as a cosy cover up, it has been reworked to show off cut out necklines.
Designer Marios Schwab proved to be the man of the moment with his innovative jumper design. By removing the material around the collarbone he was able to make sure the roll neck did all the talking.
The countryside theme in particular was highlighted in Vogue and is easily workable
by teaming up chunky knits with tailored jackets. To pull off the trend and appear as though you’ve just come back from a shooting weekend, wear a tweed coat with an autumnal coloured jumper or crisp white shirt. The look can be topped off with a quirky flat cap to give that authentic countryside edge.
For AW 2012, the menswear collection also takes inspiration from country dressing. Burberry Prorsum designer Christopher Bailey displayed a stylish collection called ‘The Gentleman’ at Milan Fashion Week. He showed that tweed caps and accessories with individual details are a must have for this season!
Bailey’s notion of putting a city spin on his country theme was also very evident, as the models carried iPad cases casually under the arm along the catwalk.
If there’s one colour that dominates winter fashion – it has to be purple. The colour descended in a variety of shades in all the major cities that have staged international fashion shows. From mid length skirts, embellished with gothic printed flowers, to covetable purple cable knits, it has proved to be the trend to try.
