August 08, 2020 at 07:00AM
Fashion has undergone a reckoning as of late. While we could say it’s the pandemic, the industry was already changing. Thanks to a heightened focus on sustainability, wanting to reduce waste, and a bigger emphasis on pieces that genuinely last—and aren’t as trend-led—seasons are becoming obsolete. Coats are featured in spring/summer collections, and you’ll always spot at least one summer dress on the autumn/winter runways. The crux of this is that our constant need for newness is waning. You need only see how the resale market is booming to understand that, not to mention our continued obsession with nostalgia.
Where, then, does this leave us for the coming season? Are we ignoring what the runways revealed back in February and March? In a nutshell, no. That said, there are some key “trends” you’ll find in our A/W 20 report, although you’ll soon realise that these are all pieces you may already own or are classics you’ll be wearing for literally years to come. There is a similar pattern when it comes to the biggest and most popular colours for this coming season.
Red is the colour that genuinely suits everyone, no matter your skin tone. Almost every runway collection (and trust me—I looked at a lot) featured red. Whether it was head-to-toe looks at Bottega Veneta or a bottom-half shorts-and-boots combo at Victoria Beckham, there’s no denying that red is coming for us this autumn.
Unlike pillar-box red, the yellow I’m talking about is a little more variable when it comes to pinning down a shade. There were pops of it in many collections, such as the hue featured on sweaters at Victoria Beckham, dresses at Gucci and tie-neck blouses at Saint Laurent. The key with this colour is to go with the one that suits you and not to wear it all over.
Beige, especially in clothing, has become synonymous with luxe-looking pieces. No matter if you’re buying high-street or designer, this colour is ideal for making your wardrobe look expensive.
Some call it boring; I call it versatile. Navy blue features heavily in my own wardrobe. It’s softer than black but still gives off a sophisticated vibe.
Next up, the biggest A/W 20 fashion trends to know.
Author Elinor Block | Whowhatwear
Selected by CWC