What are Londoners wearing this autumn? We ask the experts
We spoke to some of London's hottest designers to steer us in the right direction
What are Londoners wearing this autumn? We ask the experts
You may have noticed: the weather is miserable for August. Londoners can forget about waiting until September to get their back-to-school winter wardrobe. Only confused tourists, unhappily courting run-ins with hypothermia and pneumonia, are still frolicking about in short summer dresses and pumps.
So, the time has come to start picking up essential bits-and-bobs that will see you through the autumn season. To help us navigate the choppy waters of fall fashion, we got a little help from one London's most exciting designers, Eudon Choi and some other Culture Whisper favourites. Read our complete interview with Eudon Choi here.
The return of Corduroy and 'the new breed of suit tailoring'
Above: Prada, Alexander McQueen, A.W.A.K.E.
'Londoners will be wearing the new breed of tailoring this Autumn, heritage with a twist. Shirting will continue to be strong, the re-worked sleeve shape is going to be so important', Eudon Choi tells us.
Think power dressing with a twist: crisp silhouettes inspired by the likes of Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen – reaching right back to the stiff traditions honed on Saville Row and Jermyn Street. We're expecting to see sharp suits and jackets paired with plenty of old-fashioned, traditional corduroy in soft autumnal colours. Tradition, modernised.
Quilted capes
Above: JW Anderson for Uniqlo, Mulberry and Roksanda
'Le Style Anglais... mixing the aristocratic with the urban', is how Mulberry describes their already famous capes. Well, the look isn't just popular this autumn with Dries Van Noten, Isabel Marant and Stella McCartney, Chanel and Roksanda, but also with the hotly-anticipated JW Anderson x Uniqlo collaboration, which launches on 19 September, and already has Londoners salivating. Expect to see plenty of puffer jackets and puffer-style bags, tartan and trench coats taking to the streets.
Bold slogans
Above: Bella Freud for J Brand
The capital has been obsessed with Bella Freud's soft cashmere knits and bold statements for years now, but last month marked the launch of the Bella Freud x J Brand collaboration, which was Freud's first venture into Denim. This collaboration gave us a new collection of soft, whimsical jumpers with Freud's recognisable loopy hand, which are perfect for the blustery months ahead. Pair these jumpers with some low-rise, straight-leg jeans.
Return of the cardigan
Above: Mango, Ryan Lo, Gucci
Don't be scared away by images of Sloane Rangers sporting alice bands and a string of pearls; cardigans are going to be big this autumn, and trust us, they'll look great.
Up-and-coming London designer Ryan Lo tells us that Londoners are going to be wearing 'tacky kitsch bright colour knits' this winter.
Take inspiration from Miuccia Prada's autumn/winter collection, which is full of corduroy suits, buckled-up boots and granny-esque cardigans – the more embellished the better. Or follow Choi's advice and go for the re-worked sleeve shape (we especially like these bell sleeved cardigans at Mango).
Make it sustainable
Stella McCartney has been a trailblazer for sustainable British fashions. This winter, whilst McCartney is shooting her campaigns in landfill sites, Sophie Slater, the co-founder of Birdsong (which sells clothes made by Londoners paid the living wage) tells us that 'the diversity, tenacity and confidence of Londoners inspires our clothes and our ethos every day... We're working on our first full collection for Autumn. Keep an eye out for our signature knits.'
Both designers are taking inspiration from traditional British tailoring this season. For Fall, McCartney's clothes have nipped-in waists yet remain slightly oversized, and it looks like the bare-legged coat dress is making a reappearance. It's important to remember though that if trousers are out of the equation, you will need seriously sparkly shoes. Inspired by British equestrian tailoring, McCartney's collection also boasts checked tweeds, blown-up elongated sleeves, horse prints on silk dresses and knitted sweaters.
Dazzle in opulence
Above: Molly Goddard, Saint Laurent, Reserved
Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Miu Miu, Saint Laurent, Oscar de la Renta, Prada and Gucci are covering themselves in tulle, satin, silver and sparkle. It doesn't matter what decade Londoners choose – Forties, Eighties, Seventies, Space Age – glitterati will be fabulous.
In terms of palette, Vogue is championing a colour it calls 'Forties blue', but we've not only spotted that millennial pink and lovely lilac are on the menu, but that Londoners are falling for Balenciaga's red leather boots this autumn (get them from Net-a-porter here).
The boot du jour
The sock boot: identifiable by its sock-like, overwhelmingly clingy mid-calf hugging shape, this boot trend emerged and then dominated the Autumn/Winter runways. Look to the sexy patent leather boots showcased at Dior, or if you're ready to push the boundaries, dive straight in with the rebellious cigarette lighter-heeled version, which was seen sauntering down the runway at the Vetements show. This hybrid boot can be bought in all textures under the sun: leather, velvet and PVC (if you're feeling brave), and can be found in three lengths – midi, knee and then the somewhat frightening thigh-high.
Surprisingly enough these boots are super flattering as they slim the ankles, and the best bit, they are easy to walk in. It's a new look, but team it with midi-length florals to counterbalance the unsettling squeeze. Embrace the boot du jour and strut your stuff.
So, the time has come to start picking up essential bits-and-bobs that will see you through the autumn season. To help us navigate the choppy waters of fall fashion, we got a little help from one London's most exciting designers, Eudon Choi and some other Culture Whisper favourites. Read our complete interview with Eudon Choi here.
The return of Corduroy and 'the new breed of suit tailoring'
Above: Prada, Alexander McQueen, A.W.A.K.E.
'Londoners will be wearing the new breed of tailoring this Autumn, heritage with a twist. Shirting will continue to be strong, the re-worked sleeve shape is going to be so important', Eudon Choi tells us.
Think power dressing with a twist: crisp silhouettes inspired by the likes of Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen – reaching right back to the stiff traditions honed on Saville Row and Jermyn Street. We're expecting to see sharp suits and jackets paired with plenty of old-fashioned, traditional corduroy in soft autumnal colours. Tradition, modernised.
Quilted capes
Above: JW Anderson for Uniqlo, Mulberry and Roksanda
'Le Style Anglais... mixing the aristocratic with the urban', is how Mulberry describes their already famous capes. Well, the look isn't just popular this autumn with Dries Van Noten, Isabel Marant and Stella McCartney, Chanel and Roksanda, but also with the hotly-anticipated JW Anderson x Uniqlo collaboration, which launches on 19 September, and already has Londoners salivating. Expect to see plenty of puffer jackets and puffer-style bags, tartan and trench coats taking to the streets.
Bold slogans
Above: Bella Freud for J Brand
The capital has been obsessed with Bella Freud's soft cashmere knits and bold statements for years now, but last month marked the launch of the Bella Freud x J Brand collaboration, which was Freud's first venture into Denim. This collaboration gave us a new collection of soft, whimsical jumpers with Freud's recognisable loopy hand, which are perfect for the blustery months ahead. Pair these jumpers with some low-rise, straight-leg jeans.
Return of the cardigan
Above: Mango, Ryan Lo, Gucci
Don't be scared away by images of Sloane Rangers sporting alice bands and a string of pearls; cardigans are going to be big this autumn, and trust us, they'll look great.
Up-and-coming London designer Ryan Lo tells us that Londoners are going to be wearing 'tacky kitsch bright colour knits' this winter.
Take inspiration from Miuccia Prada's autumn/winter collection, which is full of corduroy suits, buckled-up boots and granny-esque cardigans – the more embellished the better. Or follow Choi's advice and go for the re-worked sleeve shape (we especially like these bell sleeved cardigans at Mango).
Make it sustainable
Stella McCartney has been a trailblazer for sustainable British fashions. This winter, whilst McCartney is shooting her campaigns in landfill sites, Sophie Slater, the co-founder of Birdsong (which sells clothes made by Londoners paid the living wage) tells us that 'the diversity, tenacity and confidence of Londoners inspires our clothes and our ethos every day... We're working on our first full collection for Autumn. Keep an eye out for our signature knits.'
Both designers are taking inspiration from traditional British tailoring this season. For Fall, McCartney's clothes have nipped-in waists yet remain slightly oversized, and it looks like the bare-legged coat dress is making a reappearance. It's important to remember though that if trousers are out of the equation, you will need seriously sparkly shoes. Inspired by British equestrian tailoring, McCartney's collection also boasts checked tweeds, blown-up elongated sleeves, horse prints on silk dresses and knitted sweaters.
Dazzle in opulence
Above: Molly Goddard, Saint Laurent, Reserved
Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Miu Miu, Saint Laurent, Oscar de la Renta, Prada and Gucci are covering themselves in tulle, satin, silver and sparkle. It doesn't matter what decade Londoners choose – Forties, Eighties, Seventies, Space Age – glitterati will be fabulous.
In terms of palette, Vogue is championing a colour it calls 'Forties blue', but we've not only spotted that millennial pink and lovely lilac are on the menu, but that Londoners are falling for Balenciaga's red leather boots this autumn (get them from Net-a-porter here).
The boot du jour
The sock boot: identifiable by its sock-like, overwhelmingly clingy mid-calf hugging shape, this boot trend emerged and then dominated the Autumn/Winter runways. Look to the sexy patent leather boots showcased at Dior, or if you're ready to push the boundaries, dive straight in with the rebellious cigarette lighter-heeled version, which was seen sauntering down the runway at the Vetements show. This hybrid boot can be bought in all textures under the sun: leather, velvet and PVC (if you're feeling brave), and can be found in three lengths – midi, knee and then the somewhat frightening thigh-high.
Surprisingly enough these boots are super flattering as they slim the ankles, and the best bit, they are easy to walk in. It's a new look, but team it with midi-length florals to counterbalance the unsettling squeeze. Embrace the boot du jour and strut your stuff.
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