Autumn is finally upon us. And although this brings with it some less exciting prospects – think crisp, chilly mornings and dark, drizzly afternoons – there are many upsides to a change in season. One great thing about the booming fashion industry right now is that seasonal dressing is more popular and prevalent than ever. With biannual spring/summer and autumn/winter runway collections in addition to pre-season collections (the collections which fit in between mainstream seasons), there is an enormous amount to choose from.
During the next few months before we hit the depths of winter, there are an abundance of festivals and occasions that take place to celebrate a whole host of religions’ and cultures’ most important ceremonies. But, with important occasions comes the pressure of finding the perfect outfit; from Halloween, to Thanksgiving, to Guy Fawkes night, to Diwali, now is the perfect chance to get ahead of the game and plan the perfect autumnal party outfit.
Diwali – 27th October
Diwali marks the start of the Hindu New Year and since it lasts five whole days, there are lots of chances to dress to impress. Millions of people celebrate Diwali across the world, and it signifies new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil. Additionally, the festival is also known as a time for “vibrant colours, eye-popping fireworks and twinkling lights”, so don’t feel shy when it comes to your outfit as this is a celebration full of sparkle!
Jewel tones and metallics are a guaranteed good approach to Diwali dressing. For example, this green damask party gown is perfect for those of you looking to make an impression. Featuring a puffball skirt, balloon sleeves, a velvet bow belt and finished in a vibrant green hue, you’re sure to steal the show at any Diwali celebration. To go one step further, you could pair with a matching head band to tie the look together and elevate it to the next level.
Another colour that also turns heads is red, and as an alternative to the above, you could opt for something like this deep wine-red jewelled gown. The soft textured ribbed fabric is intricate and detailed, while the classic fit and flare silhouette complements the cropped puffed sleeves and ruffles on the bodice. The finishing touch here is the four jewelled buttons, but don’t be afraid to add even more. An embellished bag or a sparkling pair of shoes to match will create a stunning autumnal outfit that can range from festival to party and adapt to a variety of occasion requirements.
Halloween – 31st October
Don’t be mistaken, Halloween isn’t just for trick or treating anymore. You may think this spooky holiday is all about dressing up in your scariest costume and carving pumpkins (though it still largely is!), but nowadays dress codes are far more relaxed so don’t feel obliged to abide by traditional costumes. Modern Halloween celebrations have shown you can dress up in just about anything – it’s more about having fun and getting creative!
One way you can get into the Halloween spirit is with this gorgeous and versatile ivory-white gown.
With the feathered white detail on the bottom of the skirt you could be an elegant swan with a mask to match, recalling the ever-graceful creatures from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. On the other hand, you could choose to be an evil ice queen; the striking colour of the gown in addition to the pearlescent floral motif and sheer accents mimics the effect of ice and snow – which will soon be around the corner! This Pinterest page has plenty of ice queen hair and makeup inspiration.
A close look at the costumes from the Royal Ballet’s 2018 production of Swan Lake.
Guy Fawkes Night – 5th November
Guy Fawkes night is traditionally celebrated on the 5th November in the UK each year. The festival commemorates the discovery of a plot in 1605 of a plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament; Guy Fawkes was one of the men who was found to be part of the plan. When the plan was foiled, the public celebrated by lighting bonfires and this tradition has passed down to us today, with the addition of exciting fireworks displays and parties to accompany them.
If you’ve got one such party on your agenda, then you might want to think about wearing the perfect dazzling dress to match the beauty of the display. Something like this opulent pink and gold feathered gown is one way you could dress the part.
The gown itself is ideal for any special occasion with elaborate puffed sleeves, gold detail and a bow to finish, but the pink feather finish on the skirt is what makes it extra special. Like the effect of a sparkler or an exploding firework, this piece is wonderfully unique and will fit any big plans you may have for the 5th November.
Thanksgiving – 14th October (Canada) or 28th November (USA)
If you’re from Canada or the States, it’s highly likely you’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving at some point this autumn. This festival is traditionally a day of giving thanks for the harvest and the preceding year, and today people celebrate by having large meals with families and friends or even big parties to mark the occasion.
Whether your own celebration is big or small, Thanksgiving is the perfect excuse to get dressed up. For the maximalists out there, something like this vibrant floral-patterned gown is a great choice; against a cream satin backdrop, the pink, red and blue flowers are allowed to shine alongside the gold chain detail for a modern update on the traditional ball gown style. The flowers are also a subtle nod to the themes of nature and harvest that are rooted in the Thanksgiving tradition.
If you’re more of a minimalist, try something subtle. A piece like this ivory and gold tweed dress is the perfect understated yet elegant approach.
Evoking the classic Chanel look made famous by Karl Lagerfeld, tweed is a timeless symbol of class and sophistication that transcends seasonal fashion. The shape is simple and refined, and the flower applique detail on the bodice adds a soft, feminine touch.
Summer might now be a distant memory, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun with fashion. The autumn brings a whole list of events that are great opportunities to show off your style – especially if you’ve been keeping up with fashion month, which recently ended in Paris. So enjoy celebrating all that these festivals have to offer and most importantly, have fun!