It’s September. Agreed, it feels like there has been NO summer here in the UK: I have sat on my outdoor furniture approximately four times in the last three months. Agreed, we all feel hard done by. But like it or not Autumn is coming: Its getting dark by 7pm, the kids have gone back to school and I wore socks today. Sad times.
With the arrival of a new season comes that hard to resist urge to go out and buy new 'stuff'. Yes a weather change often feels like a time to re-evaluate- but there is also a back to school feel about September that makes us crave a new start. So how to beat this urge? Use the new season catwalk trends as styling inspo rather than a theoretical shopping list. Because a 'new' trend is rarely a 'new' item, but rather a piece that's been re considered, and may well be lurking in our wardrobes, waiting for it’s time in back in the limelight.
Also let's not forget Second Hand September, Oxfam’s alliteratively excellent initiative to not buy new this month. (I will be digging into new ways to shop preloved later this this month) So shop your wardrobe first and preloved second. Here’s a handful of september suitable items or trends we most likely already own, and how to rethink them this season via the medium of the a/w catwalk. Back away from the credit cards people.
1.Leopard Print The iconic print is a non negotiable for Autumn, and most of us have something leopard already in the wardrobe. This season there is no room for leopard lite: Wear head to toe, or mix with other statement and/ or oversized pieces. Bet Lynch eat your heart out.
Paco Rabanne, Alexander McQueen PF, Zimmerman
2. Tonal Colours
Considering it’s Autumn the catwalks are serving us a surprisingly spring-ish palette. This season shades on the same spectrum are actively encouraged, so pair your navy with blue, black with silver or grey and red with pink. Matchy Matchy for the win.
Molly Goddard, dries van noten
3. Boho Anything
Look away Clean girls. Boho was lost to the wilds after burning itself out in the mid 90's. But come AW24 and Chloe’s first collection with Chemena Kamali at the helm and all is forgiven ( apart from maybe those coin belts with skirts worn as dresses.) Root through your wardrobe for boho staples of chiffon, ruffles, fringing and tassels. Long boots score extra points.
Chloe, Ann Demeulemeester, Isabel Marant
4. The Trench Coat
A trench is never not a good idea. Ask any Hollywood film star. Or inspector Gadget. This season treat your trench as the star of a masculine outfit, over a feminine dress or go old school Hollywood. Don’t own one? Get thee to the charity shop immediately.
Cecilie Bahnsen, Stella McCartney, Burberry
5. A Belt
The statement belts beloved of more maximalist decades have felt too ‘extra’ for the clean lines of recent times. However Autumn heralds their return , allowing the nation to rifle through its collective bottom drawer. Wear layered up boho style or jazz up a cleaner outfit.
Tods, Chloe, Chanel
6. Heritage
If you drooled over Claudia Winkleman’s wardrobe in the traitors AW will be right up your street. Shop your wardrobe for tartan, tweed, chunky knitwear and long scarves then combine with Gaelic abandon.
Paco Rabanne, Chloe, Tommy Hilfiger
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