Friday 6 August 2010

The New Chic


The coming Autumn/ Winter '10 has been hailed by many of the industry's most notable soothsayers as the dramatic rejection of the ostentatious glamour and exaggerated trends that epitomised the Noughties. Instead, minimalistic, sculpted refinement has clawed it's way back to the periphery of 'cool', led by a all woman cast of designers that include Celine's Phoebe Philo, Frida Giannini at Gucci and Stella McCartney. These trend ideals will prove difficult for the high street masses to emulate, for it relies on the luxe appeal of expensive fabrics, tailoring and classic accessories- and there isn't a sequin in sight.

Just a quick glance at street style blogs such as 'The Sartorialist' and Garance Dore will promote the advantages of luxurious, minimal, almost masculine clothes. Character is expressed in the individualistic manner of accessorising; soft brown leather, a metallic edge to your jewellery and structured 'ladylike' handbags are all shown to be the way forward.


I particularly covet the return of the trouser; lean cigarette pants at Celine and Mulberry (shown above), just cropped to reveal a slender ankle; the high waisted, 70's style flares at Gucci, Chloe and Yves Saint Laurent (below), which, paired with a skinny belt, chiffon blouse and stacked heels, just screams ladylike glamour.



And finally, the biggest news this coming season is the return of the 'it coat'. This can come in a variety of equally desirable forms: the cape, the camel coat (choose MaxMara if you want a lifelong classic), Burberry's aviator shearling jackets, the duffel coat, anything structural and tweedy... I have a particular lust for Erdem's hooded, floral cape, which just conjures up images of strutting around, cocooned in fabric, pretending to be the Scottish Widows advert...

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