Autumn / Winter 13 Trend Report: What you’ll be Wearing Next Season

So far this summer has been a bit of a write-off. The sun has been a rarer sight than February 29 and it seems as if those overbearing grey clouds might just be a permanent fixture above our heads.

Of course, there is still time; we have the whole of July and August for things to turn around. But, instead of waiting despondently, wallowing in a deep depression brought about by the British weather, you could be using this dreary summer to your advantage.

It’s never too early to start planning for the next season. We’ve all been denied the joy of shopping for sandals and summery beach dresses, but you don’t need to wait for next season to get into full swing before you swot up on the new hottest trends.

We’ve taken a look back over some of the biggest shows from the fashion weeks last February and rounded up some of the overriding trends that we think will be a hit. After all, it never hurts to be sartorially prepared.

The Shape: Oversized

(Haider Ackermann, Dries Van Noten, Christopher Kane: Autumn/Winter 13)

The shape of the season is undoubtedly oversized, so it’s time to ditch the skinny jeans and tight tank tops. This season, size does matter. Carried over from last season and taking it to new levels, designers such as Carven and Stella McCartney experimented with even more extremes. This trend allows you to play around with layering and colour palettes of muted putty colours to candy pinks and violets, which is a nice change for winter. The cocoon shape will become even more prevalent and the shoulders of coats and jackets will drop, creating a luxuriously casual aesthetic. Exaggerated volume is a great trend and perfect for allowing you to wrap up warmly without compromising on style. If you’re going to invest in a key item this season then it should always be the thing you will get the most wear out of. Opt for an oversized coat with chunky fastenings and drop shoulders for an instant Autumn/Winter 13 wardrobe update.

The Print: Plaid

(Christopher Raeburn, Saint Laurent, Calvin Klein: Autumn/Winter 13)

Next season’s big print will move away from geometrics and bold florals and move towards a more grungy aesthetic with a plethora of plaid, which was used everywhere from shirts and skirts to trim. The great thing about plaid is that it’s a genderless print so you’ll be able to steal your boyfriend’s clothes. The ways to wear this perennially stylish print are limitless and designers played with it by experimenting with colour, scale and spacing. Plaid is tied up with workwear and street culture as well as punk and has an androgynous feel that makes for a cool-casual aesthetic. Saint Laurent perfectly encapsulated the attitude by pairing oversized plaid shirts with feminine dresses and boots. But if you fancy trying out this trend for next season then we recommend taking a more directional, fashion-forward approach that doesn’t look dated. Swap the plaid shirts for a statement pair of tapered plaid trousers or a dress for a look that really packs a punch.

The Fabrics: Fur, Leather and Velvet

(Saint Laurent, Roksanda Ilincic, J. Mendal: Autumn/Winter 13)

It hardly comes as a surprise to see leather, fur and velvet back for Autumn/Winter but this season takes a more avant-garde approach than usual. There was an abundance of high-shine, highly coloured leather and lots of colourful furs. Roksanda Ilincic debuted a particularly sumptuous collection with an unrivalled use of diverse materials, moving away from the simple leather sleeves of last winter and towards a more ‘all or nothing’ approach. From full fur coats to interesting fur trims to dramatic leather trenches, this trend is not for the faint-hearted. It’s a hard one to recreate for every day unless you have the money in the bank to splash out. High-street fur and leather equivalents can sometimes look a little cheap, so keep an eye out for those pieces that look more luxurious. We’d love the high street to do a version of Saint Laurent’s leather trench.

The Trend: Minimalist

If we were forced to choose just one trend for Autumn/Winter 13 it would have to be minimalist. With roots in the sports luxe look that has been around for the past few seasons, minimalist takes the basics and pushes them further. This season it has morphed into something more grown-up, with stark shapes, clean lines and immaculate, clinical colour palettes. The asymmetric skirts of this season will stick around and become even more popular. Minimalism offers a sophisticated aesthetic, with just a hint of an edge that sets it apart from the other big trends this season.

We may have jumped the gun, but these are our favourite trends for next season. They’re totally wearable, adaptable and will fit into your wardrobe with ease. Although if you’re going to rock the minimalist look, then we advise investing in some decent detergent to avoid stains!

Which trends will you be trying out next season?

Elyse