The lines between spring, summer, and autumn have become severely blurred; indeed we have only the prospect of a somewhat mild winter left to give us any bit of solace. Sales in brollies and wellington boots have soared I’m sure, as scores of us trudge along to work sadly or dart between the drops on our way to the pub, desperately hoping our hair hasn’t turned to frizz in the meantime.
But thankfully, every cloud has a silver lining and certainly the autumn/ winter season we now find ourselves in brings many linings of silver…and gold and pewter, and all in sumptuous fabrics too. Yes, it’s a season of opulence that’s for sure, with a dollop of mixed eras thrown in for good measure. Sixties elegance and sophistication, seventies glam, and eighties retro punk are all featuring in some form or other.
With a myriad of rich colours to choose from in this season’s palette, one might wonder why, once again, blacks and greys dominated the catwalks for autumn/ winter 08. Well, blacks and greys are of course recurrent colours for a reason; they are practical of course and indeed flattering on a myriad of skin tones and they certainly don’t need to be dull, especially when incorporated into a look that is sophisticated and sexy such as the Amanda Wakely catwalk image captured above. They are being teamed with elements of bohemian glamour such as faux furs, patent accessories, skirts with slightly longer lengths (just a little below the knee ), and we are seeing a resurgence of herringbone designs and tailored tweed coats. But although blacks and greys were indeed prevalent on the catwalk, thank goodness, we are also seeing a blast of deep purples, rich greens, chocolate browns, and other deep, rustic colours to add that spicy, warm feel to our wardrobes; perfect for those cold winter months. Most ladies will be glad to hear that femininity is a strong theme running through most of this season’s looks; however it is being teamed with an edginess that is cooler than cool. Structured looks with elements of masculine tailoring feature widely and the feminine touch is then added in the form of perhaps a ruffle blouse and a pair of killer heels.
But one of the best (and most cost friendly ) ways to achieve a great ‘on-trend’ look is to stock up on fashionable accessories. Large, colourful clutch bags are a must-have item this season, and stylish, patent court shoes or patterned shoes are going to be big. Also, leather gloves are going to play a big part in autumn/ winter 08, ensuring we will remain nice and cosy. See this gorgeous pair of Rocha.John Rocha fleece-lined leather gloves - €40 in Debenhams.
