However this season I have made a conscious effort to take a look at the runways for Autumn/Winter 2019 and to dissect what will be coming up over the colder months of this year. The shows are always shown 6 months early but it gives you the time to work on your wardrobe and to really take note of what you would like to add to your wardrobe. It is important to know you are not expected to see an outfit on the runway and wear the entire thing; you are supposed to see elements of an outfit that you like and take inspiration from it. This could be down to something as simple as liking a belt on one of the models and deciding that maybe it is time to emphasise your waist.
I had a look at each week of fashion week this season: New York Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, and today I wanted to consider all of the trends I saw throughout the month of shows and everything I will be adding or have added to my wardrobe based on the shows. Really I just want to talk about fashion a little bit more and I just want to give you a little bit of inspiration in case you have the mid-season blues like I do.
Check Trend
If you are thinking of jumping on the Check Trend a little bit early like I have, it seems like a pretty easy task because it is literally everywhere! You can basically walk into every store and you will see a check print which is good because based on the runways, you will be seeing a lot of it as we move through the year. I feel like a good check print is hard to find on the high street but I have managed to pick up a couple of pieces to help add the trend to my every day wardrobe.
Missguided - Petite Pink Check Print Cocoon Coat
My latest and one of my favourite pieces is this oversized pink check coat. I cannot even express how long it has taken me to find a coat like this that actually fits. This style coat is quite boxy which means they are basically oversized anyway but when you include the fact that I am incredibly petite, I have really struggled to find an oversized check coat. I ordered a couple online (one I have included later on in this post) and they have gone back because they swamped me and I have trawled the shops to try and find one and when I had given up all hope, I saw this one on Missguided and by some miracle it is PETITE!
I know people always say about the struggle of being plus size but there is also the problem at the other end of the spectrum. I am tiny and buying clothes can be a struggle. I cannot afford to get everything I buy altered so I just have to test out a lot of clothes. This coat is still oversized but it is just the right amount of oversized. Ideally I wanted a red and black check coat, sort of similar to the print that was on the Dior runway but when I saw this pink one, I knew I had to order it.
It has that boxy, oversized fit that was featured in basically every runway. I couldn't even list the amount of shows that featured an oversized check coat. It also has the big collar which seemed to be popular. This coat is double breasted which featured a surprising amount on the runways but more on blazers rather than coats but still it is something that can translate onto coats as well.
The fact that this is pink and grey makes it that little bit more wearable for me and it adds colour to some otherwise quite boring outfits. I have been wearing this to work and it is prefect for covering my sack dress uniform. When I bought this coat it was £32.50 but the petite version has now gone back up to £65? I'm not sure this coat is worth £65 but it is certain worth £32.50. My cost per wear is so low already! If you don't like this oversized look, go for more of a tailored check jacket, I show a couple at the end, as tailoring was also big on the runway but you need to make sure that the fit is absolutely perfect if you are looking to go for something more tailored.
Pretty Little Thing - Red Tartan Check Belted Waist Frill Detail Mini Skirt
New York Fashion Week seems so long ago now and it sort of was but with so many fashion shows coming since then, I had to go back to my blog post about the week just to remember some of the shows. For me, Milan and Paris housed the real shows that displayed some incredible fashions which were both experimental and wearable whereas the first two weeks were much more wearable and slightly more pedestrian. One show that always delivers something unusual in New York Fashion Week is Phillip Plein. I love seeing the runway just to see who the models are, it is one of the only shows to feature celebs, and just to see what wacky streetwear has been incorporated this time.
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| Picture from Vogue |
This was actually harder than I thought as I found a lot of red check patterns looked cheap from the high street. The quality isn't there which means that the check print isn't sharp enough and it looks blurred. I have to say the skirt I picked from Pretty Little Thing doesn't look amazing up close but in pictures and from afar it looks pretty good, plus it was exactly what I was looking for. I like the little ruffle detail along the front of the skirt which builds into some of the other trends of the runways and one that I will be speaking about later in this post. I already had a crop top with a twist front from Primark which would pair perfectly with this skirt. I actually bought the top from Primark last year but they have similar styles currently in store.
This skirt did come with a check belt which I have taken off as it looked cheap and with the belt gone and replaced with a leather one it looks so much better. Autumn/Winter is all about the small waist and showing body so a belt will be your best friend. This was the only red check item I actually managed to purchase for this post as I haven't managed to find any other patterns that I liked but I will continue to look. A red check piece is a must for next A/W19.
H&M - Pull On Cigarette Trousers
Check trousers were not necessarily something that featured on the runway on their own, normally they were part of a suit but that is not the sort of look that I would wear in my everyday life. Throughout Fashion Month there was a lot of strong tailoring which in the right situation looks incredible but for me, it simply isn't something that translates to my lifestyle. Instead I looked for a pair of trousers which had the check print that I could add to plain pieces I already had in my wardrobe.
These trousers from H&M were perfect and even more perfect because they came in a size 4 and they actually fit! I mean that never happens so I bought these immediately. They have the paperbag tie around the top which creates the shape of the runway, a waist with feminine shapes. I love this detail and it allows me to create shape which I don't always have. These are a slim cigarette fit rather than being super skinny and therefore they match this sort of tailoring style without being super formal. I've worn these quite a few times; usually with a plain black T-Shirt and a pair of ankle boots, like I have in this picture. I have actually folded up the bottom of the trouser legs just to make them a little bit more flattering around my ankles. These trousers have the added bonus of being super comfortable and very flattering. They are one of my favourite pieces that I have added to my wardrobe since looking at Fashion Month.
Pretty Little Thing - Monochrome Check Square Neck Crop Top
This is probably the item that I am struggling to style the most. As part of the first Maya Jama collection with Pretty Little Thing I purchased one of the co-ords and I loved it but this season I liked a couple of pieces but didn't love an entire outfit. I really liked this Monochrome Check Crop Top and after seeing so much check patterns in Fashion Month I decided to buy it.
With this top, the only thing that links it to Fashion Month is the check pattern, I wouldn't say that the cut of this top was particularly interesting and I have no real idea how to style this. All I know is that whatever I paired it with would need to be high-waisted as surprisingly I do not like too much of my tummy hanging out. For this picture I paired the crop top with my black Joni Jeans from Topshop and I actually do not mind this look but it isn't particularly fashion.
I wanted to include this crop top as a way of including something a little bit less structured and a little bit more streetwear style. There wasn't as much streetwear this season other than from the brands you would expect to see it from such as Off-White.
Satin Trend
Satin is nothing new in fashion and for the past few seasons, it has dominated fast fashion websites and this does not look set to slow down at all. So many shows this season displayed elements of satin whether it was in slip style dresses like Vivienne Westwood and Burberry, the effortlessly sexy satin suits of Saint Laurent, the luxury tailoring of Tom Ford or the whimiscal dresses from Alexa Chung. Satin was everywhere but other than evening wear, how do you make it appropriate for your everyday wardrobe?
Pretty Little Thing - Leopard Print Satin Wrap Skirt
Leopard print was still a feature in some runways this season, Victoria Beckham featured the most incredible leopard print thigh high boots with a peep toe detail which I could never afford and only dream of. Also Dolce & Gabbana featured lots of leopard print in their highly patterned runway. Instead I've settled with combining the animal print trend with the satin trend and I purchased my second satin leopard print skirt. Not only does it cover two trends but I've had so much wear out of the first one I purchased that I thought it would be a good investment for my wardrobe to buy a second. With this in mind I went straight to Pretty Little Thing.
If you are looking to dip your toes into the satin trend, Pretty Little Thing, do a wide variety of styles so it is a great place to start. I will be the first to admit that it is not the best quality but it is certainly effective in making you standout. For my second skirt I purchased the wrap style which is similar to the Never Fully Dressed one that has been all over Instagram. This brings me to the third trend that this skirt ticks off, a belted waist. Big, chunky belts were all over the runway this season with brands like JW Anderson, Dior and Givenchy all featuring a lot of belts with slightly more masculine cut clothes to provide femininity.
This is quite a feminine skirt as you wrap it and tie it yourself so it creates shape. It also creates a split over your leg so when you walk you show a bit of leg but when you are stationary it is slightly more modest. There wasn't a massive amount of colour on the runways this season, nor clashing patterns (except the Vivienne Westwood runway.) With this in mind I paired this skirt with a plain top; either black or white and for Autumn this goes perfectly with a little pair of black ankle boots. Satin was big on a lot of runways, especially Tom Ford but also featured in Alexander Wang, Saint Laurent and Elie Saab, just to name few, so it is definitely a more sumptuous fabric to add to your wardrobe this season.
Pretty Little Thing - Satin Front Button Shirt
If leopard print is not your style, but you want something satin in your wardrobe, a satin shirt is a good option because it can be worn in so many different ways. The one I bought is from Pretty Little Thing but you can get these off of various websites at the moment. If you are looking to replicate the rich, luxurious satin outfits of a Tom Ford moment, I would recommend going for a jewel coloured satin shirt or a khaki.
However I went for a black satin shirt which had more Elie Saab vibes or Saint Laurent depending on how you style it. Elie Saab styling is much more classic and I would recommend wearing it as a straight up shirt, slightly unbuttoned and tucked in - preferably into a skirt because Elie Saab is incredibly feminine in style and shape.
If you were to try to mimic a Saint Laurent style you could wear it a number of ways but your best options would be to keep it open at the front and tucked in, if you are brave tit tape that shit and let the girls be free. I am not that brave so I will wear a bralette underneath. This makes it slightly sexy but if you want the ultimate sexy vibes, wear it as a shirt dress. This was a style shown in Vivienne Westwood but the silky vibes of this shirt make it sexier than the corporate boyfriend shirt used by Westwood. On me, the XS from Pretty Little Thing is big enough to wear as a shirt dress but if you fit actual clothes maybe you could go a size up and see how you get on. All you need is a belt to create an hourglass shape, a sexy pair of heels and that is date night sorted!
On Pretty Little Thing they also do this satin shirt in red and orange which seem to be the colour of A/W19. I can't wear these sorts of colours because of my ginger hair but they would look amazing on someone with dark hair, especially orange. The orange paired with cream trousers would be very Victoria Beckham, it just depends on the type of look you are going for.
Khaki Trend
Other than red/orange, khaki was definitely still relevant on the A/W runway. For some unknown reason I have always stayed clear of Khaki but I decided it was about time that I incorporated it into some of my outfits. It was rare that Khaki made up an entire outfit within any of the looks instead it was used for embellishments and details, other than within Isabel Marant in which it played quite a big part in the runway as it had that almost explorer chic vibes. Really it was the Isabel Marant show that inspired me to incorporate some Khaki pieces so I will take you through those now. If you did love the Isabel Marant show, there is a pair of trousers at the end of this khaki section that you need to see!
Primark - Khaki Joggers
Unfortunately I can't link the Primark Joggers as they do not have a web store so you will just have to go off of the awful picture I have taken in my hallway. I wanted something relatively casual as for me khaki is a causal colour and these joggers were perfect. They aren't the typical thick, fleecy joggers, instead they are a thin cotton material so they are a little bit more acceptable to wear outside of the house, in my opinion. I love these because it is rare for me to be able to find anything that fits on my legs that isn't jeans but by some miracle these do.
To wear these out of the house, all I wear is these joggers, a black or white basic top tucked in, my Primark loafers and my leather jacket. If I wanted to wear these out, out because they are sort of smart I would wear a pair of mule style heels and a strappy bodysuit or if I was feeling a bit more daring a black bralette. These would also pair quite well with the satin shirt I featured earlier just to elevate the style a bit more towards the boujie and to add a bit of luxe fabric. I love these and I think I'm going to get a lot of wear out of them. They were only £7 as well so a great addition to my wardrobe. Other than the fact they are khaki, there isn't a massive amount of trend in these joggers but they make my bum look peachy so I can't complain.
Topshop - Mesh Funnel Neck Top - Slightly different colour, my top is Khaki this is Forest Green.
One fabric that certainly made its appearance this season was mesh giving a little bit of a sexy cut vibe for both Balmain and Elie Saab. However for this purchase I wasn't just inspired by the runway but also what I had seen on the Instagram of Fashion Influx; I really like her styling and recently she has worn a couple of funnel neck mesh tops so when I saw this khaki one in the Topshop sale,I thought I would give it a go.
The khaki of the top was exactly what I had been trying to find for my wardrobe, plus it has the added bonus of a funnel neck which seems to be the style of the season and I thought it would be great for A/W layering. Not only that but as I said a little bit of sex appeal. I potentially will just wear this with a cute bra underneath and pair of jeans. Super casual but cute. The funnel neck stops it from being too much and even though this isn't a large funnel neck like the Victoria Beckham runway or The Row runway. This is a much smaller funnel neck but it still includes this trend just in a more wearable way.
When I sat down to try and style this piece, I actually struggled. I wasn’t sure which bra would look the cutest underneath, I also didn’t know how to pair this with something so that it could be as flattering as possible. In the end I really liked this top with a pair of black jeans. However other than with my jeans I’m not sure how to wear this top so if you have any ideas, please let me know
Topshop - Paperbag Utility Trousers
As soon as I saw these trousers they instantly made me think of the Isabel Marant runway which had elements of utility vibes within each outfit. I was interested in buying these trousers from Topshop but they did not have my size in the store I was in. I liked these because they have the paperbag waist which brings in the waist and creates shape. I also love that the belt used for the paperbag style is thicker than your average belt as it lends itself to the large belt trend that was big in the A/W19 runways. These trouser paired with a neutral shirt and big scrunch boots, you've got a look straight from the Isabel Marant runway.
Personally that isn't how I would wear these trousers. I would keep my look a little less explorer chic and pair these trousers with a plain black t-shirt or vest top tucked in so that the paperbag waist can do its thing and give me some much needed shape. I would keep them folded up at the bottom and pair this with a pair of black heels, probably my new mules from Primark as they would help to elongate my legs. If you're not a fan of heels then I would recommend a pair of bright white trainers, shaped like the Alexander McQueen trainers to make the look even more casual and comfortable.
Ruffles Trend
Extravagant ruffles seem to be the big thing of evening wear this season with Alexander McQueen creating almost Spanish looking ruffled evening gowns, Elie Saab making a statement with embellishments and ruffles, whilst Alexa Chung used it as a minor detail to elevate the femininity of the more textured pieces of the runway. Molly Goddard is the goddess of ruffles with her tulle, ruffle creations making it acceptable to be completely extra as an adult. I won't feature anything that large or statement but you should definitely check out Molly Goddard’s designs, truly like nothing I've seen before. I have to say large ruffles have the ability to make me look 10 years younger which means it is something to avoid but this season I have added two pieces to my wardrobe which embody the Alexa Chung style of ruffles so they only add to the design rather than take over which is exactly what I need.
All Saints - Krystal Splash Wrap Dress
I actually didn't buy the All Saints Krystal Wrap Dress for this post, I bought it simply because I loved it but as I wore it and as I started to work on this post I realised how well this dress fit in with some of the trends this season. It has multiple trends ticked off: belted waist, low neck line, a good structure and most importantly ruffles! However these ruffles only really feature along the hem line, a bit like in the Coach runway which was very bohemian. The deep neck line was seen on the Self-Portrait runway and at first I thought it was going to be too low for me but it is actually perfect. I just have to make sure I have tied it tight enough which brings the V-neck together more.
To keep this wearable for A/W19 I will pair this with a pair of ankle boots and my black leather jacket as I think it just looks put together but not like you've tried too hard. I feel like this would also be a good outfit to play around with some accessories. Throughout Fashion Week, large embellishments were used to give detail to a plain outfit and with the neckline of this dress you could certainly incorporate some of these accessories with this dress. Within the JW Anderson show there were chunky gold chain necklaces used which looked incredible and some of the same detail was used in the handles of the bags. I really liked this look and I would like to find a cheaper equivalent for my wardrobe.
If you aren't sure about a chunky chain necklace, you could look for something a little more tribal-esque like within the Chloe runway. In fact my favourite Chloe dress had a small floral print like the small splash patterning of this dress. Also if you were to pair this dress with a chunky necklace you sort of balance out the outfit as the ruffles are at the bottom of the dress whilst the necklace would be at the top.This dress is currently on sale and it would definitely be a good investment.
Whistles - Emily Frill Top
As a 26 year old who looks like a 12 year old, it is a big worry for me that too many ruffles are going to decrease the age I look even further. To avoid this I always go for minimal ruffles but so that they still feature and this top from Whistles is the perfect example of this. Really this white blouse is going to be perfect for Spring/Summer but having had a look online, you can also buy this in black which would perhaps work better for an Autumn/Winter wardrobe. When you consider the amount of ruffles on this top, it is minimal but I think that is what I like about this top, it isn't over the top. The ruffles on this top give it a femininity but do not dominate and also I simply love the shape of this top. In a way it completely goes against the trend of a small waist as it does flare out toward the bottom of the top but I love that because it makes it comfortable. However the neckline sort of reminds me of the top of one of my favourite outfits from Balmain this season. It gives that slim detail around the neck which just adds an extra level of femininity to the top.
Since buying this I have got so much use out of it. As you can see in the picture above I like to wear my top with jeans, ankle boots and my leather jacket. As this sort of, not flares but increases in volume the further down you get, this is not a tucking top so it would need to be worn with a trouser whether that is a jean or a leather trouser. This top would look good with both. This top was quite expensive but I know I am going to get the wear out of it so I'm not worried about that.
Oversized Jackets/Coats Trend
I do not think there was a single runway this season that did not feature some form of oversized coat or jacket that wasn't either long or wide. For someone who is incredibly petite, this style isn't something I can massively get on board with simply because usually the sizing is off which is why I do not own any of these pieces. The first coat I mentioned in the check section would also fit perfectly in this but it felt better suited to the other section, plus I have the perfect coat for this oversized section which is the first piece of clothing I am going to talk about. |
| Picture from Missguided |
Missguided - Red and Black Check Coat
I did actually buy this coat because I absolutely adored the pattern and from the moment I saw the check pattern, the colour scheme and its oversized fit I knew it was perfect for this post and perfect for my wardrobe as a cheaper version of Dior. I ordered the size 4 and it was massive on me. I genuinely looked like I had been expelled from a wizarding school for being too young! The black and red is everything the Dior runway was made of and red seems to be the colour of the season.
This coat is very long and as it has a shawl neck it also has the big collar detailing that is required this season. It is an all-encompassing coat that immediately adds a stylish look to anything you wear underneath. Much like the model pictured above, I would wear this coat with a pretty basic outfit so that the coat could have the moment it deserves. This looks amazing with an all-black outfit or you could pair it with a pleated skirt and a basic tee. Marc Jacobs championed the oversized coat this season and I feel like if this coat had buttons, it could have come straight off the runway. Pair it with a ballooning bottom and some pump shoes, and you've got yourself the Marc Jacobs look.
All Saints - Astrid Check Blazer
Once again this All Saints blazer could have been included within the check theme but this is more along the lines of a tailored oversized blazer. It has an almost masculine feel from the double breasted front and the large lapels. The check is quite dark so overall it is relatively masculine but paired with a dress or a more form fitting style underneath you've got the perfect outfit to make your look effortlessly stylish whilst dipping in to a lot of the A/W19 trends.
This would be great with a simple top and jean combo with a belt or if you want to venture into a more business like look, this is great with cigarette trousers and a blouse. Just make sure they are relatively plain or you will have a major clash. One of the best things about All Saints, for me, is that they do a size 2 in the their jackets so this has the potential to be a longer, more boxy fit blazer without looking like I have borrowed it from my dad. This jacket is something you could have seen on basically every runway. Even Gucci and Versace had tailored check blazers just like this one and neither brand is known for its tailoring. If you are looking for some good tailoring inspo check out the Victoria Beckham runway because she had the perfect example of how to do tailoring right with a lot of oversized fits.
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| Picture from Missguided |
Ok so this isn't an oversized jacket in the same sense as the other two but for me a bomber jacket would still fit into the oversized category. I have a bomber jacket from Topshop which I wear quite often and even though it is a crop style, it still adds volume to my upper body which is why I categorise it as oversized. What I am saying is it is not a long style, it is a bulkier style which was seen on the runways for Tom Ford, Burberry and Alexander Wang. A bomber jacket gives any look a sort of streetwear vibe and an instant cool factor. I would never describe myself as cool but I certainly feel it when I have my bomber jacket on.
I haven't tried this one from Missguided but I have been looking for an update to my bomber jacket for a while and this one appealed to me due to the high shine finish and the minor utility detailing. You had a lot of utility detailing in Prada and Isabel Marant so I appreciate that within this jacket but the black makes it that bit more wearable. If you want to go full Jungle Jane, there is a khaki version of this bomber jacket which you can buy
I love to pair my bomber jacket with everything and I think this high shine finish will provide a texture difference like in the Saint Laurent show. In Saint Laurent they used different fabrics all in black to create texture and it looked amazing which is something you could do with this jacket. It also affords you the option of wearing something skinny on the bottom without looking overdone. You could wear skinny jeans or even bare legs with a skirt looks good with a bomber jacket. Everyone should have a staple bomber jacket in their wardrobe, it is just easy to throw on, on top of anything. Plus it seems to have found a permanent residence on the runway.
H&M - Check Blazer - Similar jacket, not the same one pictured!
Having looked online I actually can't find the H&M blazer that I tried on so instead I have linked a similar one. That is one of the most annoying things about H&M, you can see something amazing in store and never find it again as they have such a constant rotation of stock. Anyway when I was in store I saw this and thought it was a perfect addition to this post. It is sort of similar to the All Saints one I've already spoken about at the beginning of this oversized section but this one is 10x cheaper.
The main difference with this jacket is that the tailoring is not as strong and it is a different check print, this is almost a houndstooth style check rather than the typical straight lines. It also has large pockets and only 1 button which makes it seem more casual and relaxed. My one criticism of this jacket is that the lapels aren't really big enough for the trends of the season.
It is more oversized on the length than width but on me it would be oversized. To me it gave me Balmain vibes who featured a bit of houndstooth pattern this season. If you wore this with a feather skirt and a belt wrapped around your waist on the outside of the jacket, you would have a Balmain replica no problem. There was also a bit of houndstooth in the Chanel runway but this definitely is not as luxe as Chanel, plus it is not tweed. I just think so much could be done with this blazer. You could wear it to the office with some wide leg trousers and a shirt or you can go more casual with jeans and a plain top, either would be great and at £34.99 this is a great option.
Conclusion
Each week as I sat down to write my Fashion Week summaries, I did think that I was going to struggle to find enough designers to talk about or I wouldn’t really know what to write about but it turns out I know more about fashion than I thought I did. I think that is part of the beauty of fashion, YOU take away what you want from each show.I have to say this is the first time I have really made a conscious effort to take a look at the runways in such detail and it has been so much fun picking out outfits based on what I had seen rather than my outfits being based on things I have seen on Instagram. Instagram is a great place to get inspiration however it means a lot of people end up looking the same. Whereas if you are looking at runways, there is so much to be taken away from each show, let alone every week, so everyone can take away different trends. If you decided to keep up with some of the shows like I did, you might have taken something completely different away from what you saw on the runways.
My biggest question of Fashion Month is how on Earth the models cope. People like Kaia Gerber were in so many shows and basically turned up to each week which means a lot of travelling. I wrote about a lot of the shows and I could barely keep up with that and I was sat on my arse in bed looking at Vogue, I mean not the hardest life and I couldn’t even find the time to do that. I mean I guess it is their job whereas this is only my hobby but still, all that travelling is a lot and they still look amazing!
This fashion season was all about the check print for me, if you couldn’t tell by that being the biggest section of this post, but also the need to up my oversized jacket game. This is something that is going to have to be worked on for someone as petite as myself. I really struggled with this section as a lot of coats or jackets are automatically oversized on me. One trend that I really did not feature is red/orange which was everywhere on the runway but it wasn’t a colour I really saw in the shops yet and it isn’t something that suits me but if you can get away with wearing it, I highly recommend adding at least one piece of this tomato red to your wardrobe.
I hope you have enjoyed this post, much like my Fashion Week inspiration posts this took a lot of time and a lot of research. I have actually really enjoyed working on this post so hope you enjoyed it!
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