The fashion world has always been one to keep on moving, with no sign of slowing down. In winter, we think about summer collections and in summer, the winter collections; it can be enough to confuse even the most on-trend and in-the-know fashionistas in the game.
With the global fashion weeks showcasing the collections for the season following the one we are currently in, we quickly have to think about what we are going to want to wear in 6 months’ time. Admittedly, this can be difficult. If it’s 30 degrees outside it can be hard to picture ourselves in warm winter coats and fuzzy jumpers. However, the Autumn/Winter 2019 season is not far off, so we’ve compiled the ultimate fashion forecast guide for the Autumn months.
By analysing the runway collections from the AW19 fashion weeks and looking more generally at the kids’ fashion industry, we’ve put together a list of the top trends that young girls can implement into their wardrobes this year to ensure absolute autumnal perfection.
COLOUR
That’s right, bold and bright colours aren’t just reserved for the spring and summer. Often we associate autumn and winter with a darker, more muted colour palette, but no more. The AW19 shows saw designers change the game and use typically ‘summery’ colours for their winter collections, flipping perceptions of typical autumnal dressing. Designer of the moment, Simon Porte Jacquemus (of the eponymous label, Jacquemus) demonstrated this with a number of monochromatic looks in bright fuchsia, orange, blue, red and green, while Demna Gvasalia, the creative director at Balenciaga, also showed an affinity for red, in amongst a mixture of yellow, pink and turquoise looks.
Jacqeumus AW19 collection:
This is a great trend for young girls to wear as its evidently on-trend but it’s also simple, age-appropriate and incredibly fun to play and experiment with. For example, this red lace gown is the perfect way to incorporate bright shades into an autumnal wardrobe. Easily transitional into the festive season, red is a strong colour that never goes out of style. While lace is eternally elegant, and the puffed sleeves add some extra oomph, the otherwise simple and plain design of this piece ensure it can be worn time and time again.
FLORALS
Spring might have come and gone already this year, but florals are here to stay. Romantic floral patterns are usually the territory of spring and early summer, but this year is different; much like the bright colours we have just seen above, florals are also migrating into the autumn wardrobe. Roses were predominant for the season, and were seen in the collections of Prada, Dries Van Noten and Erdem to name but a few, and the world certainly took note. What’s great about this trend is that it means if you’ve already got floral pieces in your wardrobe, you don’t need to save them for the spring, but can instead wear them year-round, allowing you to make fashion-forward but economic choices. Florals are undeniably feminine, but the detail and sophistication of certain patterns create an air of maturity that is perfect for teens or slightly older girls who love fashion and want to impress.
Alexander McQueen AW19: “A silk taffeta dress in saturated deep red recalls the rose in full bloom.”
Erdem AW19:
If you’ve got a big event or party lined up, you can get the look with something like this shimmery blue floral gown which is perfect for straddling the mix between summer and autumn. The flower pattern is great for summer, but the cool blue tones and colours are easily transitioned into the colder months.
The A-line silhouette is a classic, while the tulle cap sleeves and embellishments add some extra details and a touch of glitz. If you really want to indulge in the floral trend though, you could even add a headband for a totally maximalist, but on-trend outfit. Or if not, pair your look with a minimal, chic plain shoe to keep the focus on the clothes and let them be the star of the show.
BIG SILHOUETTES
Sometimes, more is more. This is certainly the case this autumn when it comes to silhouettes and the shapes designers are creating with their clothes. Big, bold and unusual silhouettes are usually associated with designers and brands who create more conceptual clothing, such as Iris van Herpen and Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons, who loves to experiment with unique shapes on the runway.
Comme des Garçons:
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However, recently, more and more designers are choosing to play with the use of shape and silhouette in a way that is more accessible and easier to incorporate into the everyday wardrobe than the likes of Rei Kawakubo and her peers. You only have to look to the collections of Marc Jacobs, Molly Goddard and Roksanda to see that you can make a maximalist statement without feeling like it’s too much. By adding volume in this area, you can create a look that’s perfect for parties or formal events where you can’t be too overdressed. This trend is best incorporated into items like ball gowns and party dresses which lend naturally to exaggerated shape and the grandeur of fantasy which is evoked by wearing these pieces.
Marc Jacobs AW19:
Exaggerated silhouette is again another trend that is well-suited to young girls. Puffball skirts, for example, are great for a range of ages from toddlers to teens, and any girl who loves a bit of extravagance and glamour will certainly pull it off. This floral ball gown is the perfect piece if you’re in need of some inspiration; with both puffed sleeves and a puffball skirt, the silhouette is already at maximum impact. This is then added to with ivory, olive green and pink metallic embroidery, organza layering and velvet ribbon trims on the sleeves. Or, if you’re looking for something not quite as bold, opt instead for something like this piece which has the same shape, but instead of ribbons and multi-coloured embroidery, has a metallic gold finish which is elegant but still exciting.
Molly Goddard is one designer who often incorporates similar elements into her creations. The British-born Central Saint Martins graduate rose to fame quickly for her larger-than-life gowns which were often made in bright, vivid colours, making for an eye-catching and memorable aesthetic. Though Goddard’s pieces are on the more extreme end of the scale, celebrity fans including Rihanna and Adwoa Aboah have seen this exaggerated silhouette shot into stardom and find their place in the mainstream. A number of Goddard’s pieces for this reason have also been featured in this year’s prestigious fashion exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Molly Goddard for the Met’s ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’ exhibition:
Molly Goddard AW19:
SPARKLE
So far, it seems like this autumn’s trends are ones that we wouldn’t usually suspect. Sparkles, however, are a timeless classic for the Autumn/Winter season that come around time and time again. With autumn comes winter shortly after, and with winter the arrival of the festive period which is always in need of some sparkle and glitter.
At the runway shows, designers incorporated this trend into their collections in several different ways; a gold sequin cardigan was paired with tweed culottes at Céline, a red glittery midi skirt was juxtaposed with a black leather belt at Dior, while at Chanel there were both all-sequin looks and more pared-back looks finished with lots of sparkly jewellery. This coming autumn and winter, expect to see Christmas party dressing turned on its head and given a makeover and a more mature, nuanced and interesting look to what we’ve seen before.
Chanel AW19:
Dior AW19:
This glamorous style is usually thought of as an ‘evening’ look, but now you can easily wear it in the daytime too. Like at Chanel, a sequinned top is a hugely versatile piece; wear with jeans and ballet pumps for an elevated day look, or with a skirt of an evening. If you’re feeling a little less brave though, you could choose some sparkly accessories to spice up an outfit. Shoes, bags and jewellery are all perfect options for finishing an outfit off. This pink jewelled apple-shape clutch bag will complement a variety of tastes and styles due to its neutral colour, and the rhinestones in addition to the gold chain finish will be sure to turn heads at any social event or party you may have.
Or, if you want to dive right into things, choose to wear sparkles on the main section of your outfit. This black party gown combines the right amount of sophistication and sparkle. In a decadent black satin fabric with tulle layering, a row of gold sparkly hearts adorns the waistband and is set off exquisitely by the simplicity of the black fabric, helping it to stand out. Pair it with this black box bag which also features the same gold heart embellishment for a look that is carefully curated and coordinated. Glitter may not be for everyone, but what this season has shown is that there are a plethora of ways to incorporate it into your look, from super-subtle to the more daring.
So that concludes our round-up of the top autumn trends for this year. There really is something for everyone, whether your preference is experimenting with colour, shape, textures or patterns. Go as little or as big as you want; these trends are all incredibly versatile and can be adapted to both your personal style and social calendar. Though the summer may nearly be over, autumn dressing is certainly something to look forward to.