The New Trouser Suit

The New Trouser Suit

fashion style    1:14 PM   

September is always an exciting month - the new season collections hit the stores and the new trends filter down on to the high street. The September and October issues are packed full of the new campaigns and it always feels so refreshing to see something new again. (Admittedly, perhaps always a little too soon). When the collections are first shown, I love to place bets with myself as to what the new trends (both big hitters and micro trends) will be. For autumn/winter 2012, the trouser suit has stepped into the limelight, pushing the dress into the wings. 

As a lover of fashion, I am always keen to try a new trend on for size, mostly by incorporating it into my own wardrobe and style. However, the new season trouser suit has a twist - it comes in bold, geometric prints - so it is difficult to work into your existing wardrobe, as it is a statement all of its own. The new season suit cut is modern and minimalistic, while the prints are retro, retro, retro. Not for the faint-hearted, but also a trend to be careful considered - you don't want to end up looking like Granny's old carpet as you sashay up the high street this autumn.

If you need inspiration, look to the runway shows; Miuccia Prada featured geometric printed trouser suits in both her Prada and Miu Miu collections for AW12, while other versions of the printed trousers suit were seen at Etro, Paul & Joe, Rochas, Giambattista Valli and DKNY, to name just a few. 

 Miu Miu AW12

 Prada AW12

 Giambattista Valli AW12

 DKNY AW12

 Erdem AW12

Rochas AW12

 Mary Katrantzou AW12

 Prabal Gurung AW12

I did try on a printed trouser suit in Matalan (albeit, a floral suit, not geometric), however, I left it behind. I think I'll stick to my staple dresses this season, despite knowing I'm committing a sartorial sin. 

Will you try the new trouser suit for the new season?

Runway images courtesy of Style.com, with thanks.

Monochrome Magic at Prabal Gurung

Monochrome Magic at Prabal Gurung

fashion style    6:35 AM   

The Prabal Gurung AW10 collection is one of my favourites.

So simple in palette, so elegant in cut, so contemporary in style. The monochrome looks are beyond fabulous and are a touch of pure class. In my daydreams, I see women with very different styles wearing Gurung's designs, from pretty Leighton Meester to the fabulous Jane Fonda to a kooky Chloe Sevigny. It takes a very talented designer to appeal to a variety of women - for Gurung to consider his designs so acutely that they speak to all ages of women from all walks of life is a sure sign of an instant "go-to" line.

There is definitely something for everyone in Prabal Gurung's latest collection; there are plenty of looks that I would wear, and I'm pretty confident that you feel the same way. And, of course, there's Olivia Palermo, style queen of NYC. Oh, and Michelle Obama, First Lady of the USA. And Demi Moore. And Kristen Stewart. And Rachel Weisz. Need I go on?

Above: Prabal Gurung Autumn/Winter 2010 collection.
Images courtesy of Prabal Gurung.