The colours, prints and cuts that made the grade on the runways
Layers, knits, draping and wrapping. Bright colours and calming neutrals. Here are the top catwalk trends we expect to hit the high street this Autumn / Winter 2016
Although the sun has only just begun to shine, it won’t be too long before autumn returns and we have to plan our warmer wardrobes.
However, fashion designers have been planning for next season for many months now, with their collections showcased earlier this year. With new ranges hitting the high street very soon, we’ve put together a guide of what to expect next season.
Colour trends
A wide range of colours and shades made an appearance in next season’s collections. And although there are some bright and bold colours on display these were often layered onto light or darker bases.
Purple power
(left to right) Trussardi at Milian Fashion Week, Elena Shipilova at Moscow fashion week AW16
Floral hues of lilac, heather and violet are set to be big colours for next season, with many designers around the globe using this palette. At Milan Fashion Week Mui Mui and Cavelli reigned in purple – covering models with head to toe violet and lilac ensembles.
Rich and vibrant
Deep red, mulberry and peacock blue brightened up looks for Autumn/Winter. Stella McCartney used rich velvet in vibrant tones, Ralph Lauren showed off stunning full-length dresses in midnight blues, and Elena Shiplova matched peacock and topaz tones.
Keep calm and carry on
Although there were some vibrant colours on the catwalks many designers produced more subtle offerings. Cool olive, sand and cream tones, as well as chestnut and nutmeg browns were used to create a calming autumnal vision.
At Paris Fashion week Celine draped models in lightweight cream knits layered with sand jackets, and Loewe delivered dessert inspired looks with nut-brown leather waist warps and taupe chiffon skirts.
Up to your neck
(left to right) Julia Nikolaeva show at Fall 2016,
Quite often the catwalk produces looks with such plunging necklines that none of us would ever dare to pull off. So it was quite refreshing to see models covering up a little and designers opting for higher necklines.
Halter necks, turtles and roll neck tops were all spotted on the runways and the high street is set to follow suit. Designers such as Fendi, Phillip Lim and Julia Nikolaeva favoured this look: great news! A higher neckline makes a lot more sense, especially when the weather gets cooler – a practical, comfortable and elegant trend we can all adopt with ease.
Knitwear
Woolens on a runway – who’d have thought it? But knitwear was showcased by many designers – Gucci had outfits with knitted capes, Balenciaga and Victoria Beckham favoured woolen sweaters and Traussandi at Milan Fashion Week was wrapping models up nice and warm in longer length cardigans.
Layering it up
Layered looks floated down many catwalks, with designers building up looks with wraps, dresses and scarves. This is a great way to build on summer items – add some new light layers, stay on trend and get a bit of extra warmth. What’s more, it’s practical as well – a trend you can stay warm and stylish in. And the designers weren’t doing this look by half; with multi outfits layered on top of one another, DKNY and Valentino often had turtlenecks under dresses with scarves and jackets on top.
Draping, wraps and scarves
To follow on from the layering trend, everyone from Burberry to Vera Wang and Victoria Beckham added some wrap detailing to outfits. Wraparound coats and skirts added an extra dimension and the illusion of multiple layers by overlapping the fabrics. On many catwalks clothes appeared to be draped rather than fastened. Designers also combined ruffles, bows and scarves, and clothing was rippling down runways in reams of gorgeous silks and chiffon.
Chloe as well as Trussardi used scarves in silks, often tied tight around the neck. In keeping with the high neck trend this style gave outfits a more ladylike look. And designers such as Gucci and Temperly London tied scarves prettily to produce a look reminiscent of a pussy-bow blouse.
Bold prints
Another big trend for Autumn are patterns, big bold and colourful. Versace matched vivid printed dresses with patterned furs. Geometric and tartan fabrics were also a common theme – at London Fashion Week Fucchini used stunning geometrics to produce dark yet feminine looks.
New York Fashion Week 2016 runway at the Desigual
What can you expect?
Many of the looks we saw on the runways will never make it anywhere near our own wardrobes – crowd-pleasing, bold and perhaps a little over-the-top. However, toned down versions of these will – more subtle takes of these top trends, designed for real women, will soon hit our shops, giving you the ideal excuse to stock up and update your wardrobe for the forthcoming season.
Layering scarves, dresses, a leather wrap and mismatched prints isn’t really something we’d recommend – but by adding a few of these touches to your Autumn / Winter 2016 wardrobe you can create chic looks that will also keep you warmer as the temperature begins to fall once more.
Images: Feature image – MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK RUSSIA – Dmitry Abaza / Shutterstock.com
Colour trends – Trussardi – FashionStock.com / Shutterstock.com, Elena Shipilova – Dmitry Abaza / Shutterstock.com
Knitwear – FashionStock.com / Shutterstock.com
High necks – Julia Nikolaeva Dima Babushkin / Shutterstock.com, Trussardi FashionStock.com / Shutterstock.com
Draping and wraps – Loewe – FashionStock.com / Shutterstock.com
New York Fashion Week- Sam Aronov / Shutterstock.com
