The 9 new season fashion trends you might already own that will bring some joy to your lockdown wardrobe
Did anyone else have high hopes for a year full of sartorial excitement? We did too, but then - along with the rest of you - we were plunged into national quarantine (or two!) and we're still rotating the same few pairs of tracksuit bottoms that we dug out of our drawers back in March.
It's a shame, really, as spring/summer 2020 had so much promise. From puffed sleeves with even more drama than previous seasons, wrapped ankles and low-slung tailoring, it had all the potential of being one of our favourite fairweather wardrobes in recent years. Alas, we had more important things to worry about.
But while the lack of aesthetic experimentation may have left you feeling somewhat creatively muted, we're determined not to let a whole other season go by without having a little bit of fun with fashion.
Lockdown vol.2 may be in full swing, but who ever said you need to leave the house to nail a great look? It's time to perfect those mirror selfies, because autumn/winter 2020 has some seriously epic trends that we're all itching to experiment with. The great news? You'll be able to try at least some of these looks by using your current wardrobe cleverly, so there's no need to spend money (something we'd all like to avoid as much as poss right now).
Unsurprisingly some of AW19's major looks remain popular - with giant bags, waist belts and brown outerwear three of the most long-standing - but there are a number of new trends that we already can't wait to try out.
One of our favourites is undoubtedly off-the-shoulder layering. Particularly prevalent at London Fashion Week, we spotted this clever layering technique at the likes of Burberry, Simone Rocha, Preen by Thornton Bregazzi, Toga, Molly Goddard and 16Arlington.
Serving up a lesson how to keep cold-weather dressing interesting, it's the perfect way to stack and layer your clothing without rendering it bulky and whilst showcasing each piece.
Scroll down to take a look at our 9 favourite AW20 trends that we're all falling for...
Getty Images1. CUT-OUTS
Undoubtedly one of the biggest trends on the AW20 runway was cutaway fabrics. Whether they were placed at the hips - the more traditional spot for cut-outs - down the arms or via slashed necks, this season's collections proved that the look once regarded as tasteless or kitsch could be supremely chic.
Spotted at: (L-R) Rejina Pyo, Christopher Kane and Victoria Beckham
Getty Images2. MAXI RED
Full-throttle red - aka from your neck to at-least-your-knees - was undoubtedly the biggest colour take-away from the four major autumn/winter fashion weeks staged earlier this year. Whether you opt in via a maxi dress, a trouser suit or even a top and skirt, there's no holding back with this one. Just make sure your accessories are relatively neutral to avoid overkill.
Spotted at: (L-R) Preen by Thornton Bregazzi, Alexander McQueen, Bottega Veneta
Getty Images3. OFF-THE-SHOULDER LAYERING
Bardot necklines have long been reserved for the fairweather seasons, but thanks to some clever layering this off-the-shoulder style is finally a very viable option for autumn/winter. Shirts and blouses work well atop slim-fit high-necks, while longline overcoats are a great way to adopt the trend without having to commit to an all-day look.
Spotted at: (L-R) 16 Arlington, Preen and Toga
Getty Images4. BROWN AND BLACK
The old adage about brown and black being the ultimate style taboo is no more, as it's officially the chicest colour pairing of the new season. Whether it's a single piece with the duo of tones or your own concocted take via layering, you can't go far wrong with these two. It's a good idea to stick to one shade of each - as opposed to a rainbow of tones - to avoid things looking messy.
Spotted at: (L-R) Preen by Thornton Bregazzi, Prada, Christopher Kane
Getty Images5. NOSTALGIC JEWELLERY
Remember the brightly-coloured beaded jewellery you wore loyally from the ages of about four to twelve? You hung onto those, right? This season you'll regret getting rid of all those punchy pieces as nostalgic jewellery is having a real moment. The bigger, brighter, more outlandish the style, the more fashion kudos you'll get. Trust us...
Spotted at: (L-R) Ashish, Yuhan Wang and Preen by Thornton Bregazzi
Getty Images6. PUFFBALL HEMS
Puffball hems have veered from from the fashion world's radar for several seasons, but for autumn/winter they're back in a big way. More often found cuffing the hemline of balloon-fit dresses, they're undoubtedly not an every day look but rather a super statement trend to plump for - albeit in subtler incarnations that those on the runway - for big occasions.
Spotted at: (L-R) Halpern, JW Anderson and Richard Quinn
Getty Images7. CAPES
A season full of drama, another major look to come off the AW20 runways was the cape. Whether they were full length for maximum impact, or mere shoulder-grazing numbers flecked with metallic tasseled fringing, it was a failsafe way to add a regal sense of elegance to a look. Translate them for real life via caped-back jackets and evening wear.
Spotted at: (L-R) Carolina Herrera, JW Anderson and Rodarte
Getty Images8. LILAC LAYERS
Purple is often overlooked as a power-colour, but the autumn/winter runways made a convincing case for its merits. Rarely seen as a standalone, they tended to come via layers of suiting, tonal outfits or matching dress-and-heels.
Spotted at: (L-R) Toga, Boss, Alberta Ferretti
Getty Images9. FACE VEILS
Slightly harder to envisage working in your every day wardrobe (although face masks have, of course, been the unexpected must-have of SS20) the face veil was a seriously popular accessory on the autumn runway. Perhaps not one to adopt for the majority of us, it is worth considering if you're a bride-to-be - as more and more brides shun the traditional trailing veil in favour of an chicer, simpler netted face veil.
Spotted at: (L-R) Rodarte, Carolina Herrera and Brock Collection
