By Niamh ODonoghue
11th Dec 2017
11th Dec 2017
As temperatures dip below -8 degrees, it’s hard to consider shedding layers right now, but it’s never too early to start fortifying your perfect spring/summer 2018 wardrobe arsenal.
Earlier this year I made my own predictions about trends we will encounter in the early part of 2018. The beauty of having so many diverse designer catwalks throughout the year is that they allow us to make informed forecasts. They are, in essence, a spying-glass to see the direction that certain trends will sway towards.
For the most part, fashion will feel rather nostalgic in 2018: Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri gave us a taste of all things Western earlier this year at her 2018 Cruise Collection in LA, while Vivette took on a playful approach to classic nineties signature styles in its SS18 catwalk collection. Nicolas Ghesquiere, creative director at Louis Vuitton, took inspiration from the old Orient for his Cruise Collection which resonated with other couture brands like Gucci, Kenzo and Etro. The wise woman will prepare to see this trend funnelled into her favourite high-street stores in the first half of January 2018. Below are five key trends you can expect to, and should, invest in for the coming new year.
Grown-Up Pastels
The pastel trend will live on into 2018. I’m an unapologetic fan of winter and, in particular, traditional colour palettes like burgundy, navy, earthy greens and shades of slate and charcoal. But my mood and opinion toward pastels in winter changed following the fresh and fruity collections of Phillip Lim and Anya Hindmarch – to name a few (not to mention our own December ice-queen fashion editorial) – and like Coach and Chanel, below, my pastel obsession will continue long into the new year.
Top, left- right; Coach, Chanel, Francesco Scognamiglio. Bottom, left – right; Emilio Del La Morena, Gabriele Colangelo, Brognano. All ss18
Feisty Prints
Prints are given a retrospective upgrade for 2018 and the confident dresser will appreciate the shift from safe, geometric prints, to wild and dismantled motifs that erupt with colour and noise. Think animal prints in vibrant shades – like Versace, below – and blown-out tie-dye from Temperley London, below. Mixing patterns is no-doubt tricky, even for the fearless dresser, but doesn’t Marni, below, far right, make it look simple and elegant? Vivetta, below, bottom left, demonstrates that prints don’t need to be explosive to be impactful with a large terrestrial-meets-oriental print in royal blue, green, white and orange. With endorsements from designers such as Mother of Pearl, Isabel Marant and Celine on the catwalks for next season, you can expect this style to dominate the high street over the coming months.
Top, left – right; Versace, MSGM, Temperley London. Bottom, left – right; Vivetta, Peter Pilotto, Marni. All ss18.
Yellow Fever
To reiterate the words of fashion director Marie Kelly, yellow is the new pink for 2018. While I devoted much of my time this year creating the perfect pink wardrobe, I’m excited for the fresh change that’s coming; especially if Marc Jacobs and Ports, below, are anything to go by. What’s more, colour-blocking is a cost-effective and trendy way to get the most out of the things you already have stacked inside your wardrobe.
Top, left – right; Ports, Jasper Conran, B Maxwell. Bottom, left – right; MSGM, Marc Jacobs, Krizia. All ss18
Western Wonder
Animal hides galore, stiff-brimmed hats, primitive prints and appliqués, rhinestones, studded belts and tassels. It’s a trend we haven’t seen since pre-2015, one that has given a renewed sense of purpose to traditional American brands like Wrangler who has teamed up with the seminal 1960/70s designer Peter Max on a collection that’s as psychedelic as it is cowboy appropriate. The Western trend is broken up into seven easy-to-wear pieces. There’s the neckerchief, belt buckle, cowboy boot, denim short, plaid shirt, studs, and, of course, leather. What’s great about these elements is that they can be worn on their own as subtle hints, or together for a complete Western-inspired look.
Top, left – right; Coach, Redemption, Chloe. Bottom, left – right; Versace, Victoria Beckham, Derek Lam. All SS18
Sartorial Stripes
The classic Breton stripe is given a sophisticated and mature reboot for 2018. Expect to see asymmetrical displays of colour, unapologetic and non-traditional hemlines, and, contrasting that, sharp tailoring. Since the introduction of the Breton stripe in the 1950’s, the classic look has been transformed and reinterpreted by designers to create modern and sophisticated ensembles.
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