Hello September! The return to school and the end of Summer marks new season arrivals landing in stores. Although I hate to say goodbye to Summer, I am more than ready to refresh my wardrobe with new clothes and accessories reflective of this season’s trends. This blog post is my guide to the latest Autumn Winter trends for 2019 – some more wearable than others!
This season it’s all about retro dressing: the ’90s are back. So are the ’80s. And the ’70s.
Purple Reign
In 2018 it was all about Millennial pink, but in Autumn 2019 everything is coming up purple. Once synonymous with royalty, power and wealth, there’s a shade of purple for everyone -it’s just about finding the right tone for you. Whether you choose to go for head-to-toe purple or use it as an accent for other colours, there’s no escaping this season’s hottest hue. Pair a purple T-shirt with washed denim jeans and dad sandals now, before switching to dark washed denim and ankle boots when winter calls.
Cosy Capes
One of the strongest outerwear silhouettes to come out of the Autumn Winter catwalk shows was the cape. If you are in need of a new coat next season, then you better make it a cape. This armless style was seen all over the catwalks and is likely to become one of the must-have pieces of Autumn Winter 2019.
Cinched Suiting
The must-have accessory for Autumn Winter 2019 is the belt. While a cinched waist is a timeless trait, it’s one which has fallen off the radar somewhat due to the ever-growing fondness for a loose, undefined silhouette. This season, follow the lead from designers such as Prada and Marni and nip the waist on all your suits, knitwear and coats. An accentuated waist is flattering on nearly all body shapes and ages. The best part about this trend is that you don’t need to invest in the jacket—simply buy a cute new belt and style it accordingly.
Dark Florals
Have florals ever been off-trend? Floral dresses are a wardrobe staple no matter the season. However, for Autumn Winter 2019 it’s time to pack away your favourite pink and white floral number as the floral trend is going to the dark side. Floral dresses are back and are darker and broodier than ever, consisting of garments that have a dark base with floral patterns are added on top. These dresses are perfect for pairing with your favourite leather biker jacket and boots.
Floral Print Pintuck Ruffle Maxi Dress, £49, Topshop; Pleated Skirt, £19.99, H&M; Floral Print Dress, £49.99, Zara
Puffed Sleeves & Statement Shoulders
Shoulders were big on the Autumn Winter 2019 catwalks, but not in a harsh, padded 80s way. Instead, designers were embellishing dresses, knitwear and shirts with exaggerated, feminine, puffy shoulder details. There’s a puff-sleeve style for every personality and whichever you choose there is a huge amount on offer from edgy to prim. Maybe you’ll like yours neat and rounded out at the shoulder for Autumn (as seen at Givenchy), or maybe you’ll want something decadent and entirely inappropriate for anything that involves cooking, cleaning or changing nappies, just like Emilia Wickstead’s gigantic-sleeved floral dresses!
Refined or Structured Handbags
The most influential bag trend of the season will most definitely be anything that feels ultra-ladylike and old fashioned – think handbags just like HRH The Queen wears. These top-handled styles are structured, rigid and timeless with the structured design making it feel luxe and polished. Although jumbo totes and teeny-tiny mini bags could also be seen on the Autumn Winter 2019 runways, neither is particularly practical, unlike these this breed of timelessly, elegant bag. Structured bags are the perfect everyday bag for Autumn Winter 2019.
Square Toes
We’ve been seeing a huge 90s revival over the last year, with slip dresses, satin skirts, fluffy accessories and even frosted lipsticks making a comeback. The 90s footwear update this season is the square toe. After seasons and seasons of pointed-toe shoes reigning supreme, the square toe is another ’90s trend that’s recently been revived, along with chunky trainers and bucket hats (more on that later) and is set to be Autumn’s hottest footwear trend.
Zara Lace Up Boots, £96
Blazer + Blouse + Skirt
Certain outfit combinations stood out at the Autumn Winter 2019 shows, but the most noticeable one was the simple trio of a blazer, blouse and midi skirt. These are wardrobe essentials and so creating this ensemble from your current wardrobe should be super easy.
Bucket Hat
According to our most-trusted trend experts, the bucket hat is back! The ’90s bucket hat has re-emerged a few times over the last few seasons, but for Autumn Winter 2019 it’s received a luxurious reboot which prevents you looking like one of the Gallagher brothers! Dior was at the forefront of the trend, having sent every model down the runway wearing a bucket hat. I don’t think this trend is one I’ll be dipping my toe into…
Head to Toe Beige
As far as trends go, you’d be forgiven for think beige is boring. Forget everything you ever believed about beige being boring; this neutral colour palette is the only one to be seen in this Autumn. But done right, it offers endless styling opportunities – a beige wool coat tied at the waist over jeans and a simple white shirt = chic. Like all colours, there are fifty shades of beige so look out for names such as ‘oatmeal’, ‘fawn’, ‘taupe’ and ‘camel’. Best worn in multiple shades of beige, loose tailoring is the way forward for a tonal look. Different shades of beige will elevate your look from run-of-the-mill to polished, and add elements of luxe into casual weekend outfits. Long-time beige champions Max Mara encouraged shoppers to wear the shade head to toe, Riccardo Tisci’s debut Burberry collection featured more than 50 beige looks, and Dior even brought beige to eveningwear. For Autumn Winter 2019, beige is no longer boring. Instead, it should form the building blocks of your wardrobe. Repeat after me: beige is not boring!
Feathers
Whether you go full Black Swan or just opt for an accessory, there’s no denying there’ll be some element of feathers in your wardrobe in Autumn Winter 2019. Dip your toe in the trend with a pair of shoes or a hair accessory, or go full-on feathers with a colourful faux feather coat. Whatever you choose you’ll be sure to be oozing glamour!
Leather
Leather goes beyond your faithful biker jacket this autumn. Take a cue from the catwalk shoes and slip into a luxurious leather dress. If that’s not your style, and you’re more about everyday style, you might want to try a pair of faux leather pants, a sexy leather midi or a leather blouse for a nod to this trend that won’t overwhelm.
A final note…
With my generally classic approach to style, I tend to approach new trends with caution. I consider them carefully and then ask myself if they really work in my existing wardrobe or if they’re something I’ll end up regretting a few months down the road. As with all trends, you can embrace them in their entirety, dip your toe in or avoid them completely, the choice is yours. I never advocate being a slave to the trend. My motto is simple – if you love it wear it!
Clare
