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.

The September Effect

The September Effect

fashion style    6:23 AM   

With the anticipated arrival of glossy September issues over the next couple weeks, summer will be a mere memory for ever-fickle fashionistas. The freshly stacked magazine shelves will soon be followed by the new season collections in stores across the globe, and before you can say, "But it's only just August!" we're totally smitten with the Autumn/Winter trends.

My favourite trend for the new season is actually a continuation of last winter: fur. Luxurious, beautiful, fur. The epitome of fabulous, don't you think?

Now, I know there are negative connotations when admitting one loves fur, but I simply can't help myself. It's an attraction that I can't fight, like ice-cream and sprinkles, or Bert and Ernie.

Fashion and fur. 

They just go.

I'll be honest. I love how real fur looks (divine), how it feels (incredible) but I do have a conscience, and, actually, I would never buy real fur. Some fake furs are gorgeous these days, and they remain so with a little TLC.  That said, I believe that vintage fur is another, even more debatable matter; vintage fur has already happened. With vintage, everything that happens in order to acquire fur has already been done, years ago, and this can't be changed - there's absolutely nothing I can physically do about any pain or suffering that may have occurred. What I can do is wear the vintage fur, and show it off, and hope that in some small way, it's better than burning it in a protest that is fifty years too late and won't make a blind bit of difference. 

Why let it go to waste?

As I said, I don't agree with new fur and if I was to purchase fur, I would 100% choose a luxurious faux fur. The fur debate will go on forever and will never subside (too many people have too many opinions, of which we are each entitled) and I honestly don't ever see an end to fur in fashion. Particularly not this season, where fur was seen on the runway at top fashion houses including Fendi, Chanel and Lanvin, among others, making it even more desirable and covetable than ever - especially now, this month, when it's all so fresh and exciting after a long summer of pastels, luxe sportswear and denim.

Above: the ultimate fashion indulgence?
Lanvin Autumn/Winter 2010
Images courtesy of Lanvin.

Above: My grandmother's vintage fur coat - acceptable?
Below: My grandmother's vintage fur coat and my adored and much loved pet pooch, MyaDog - bordering on hypocritical?

International Fur Trade Federation: http://www.iftf.com/