With temperatures dropping across the UK as the arrival of the colder season starts to make itself known, the unpredictable weather that is part and parcel of the British autumn and winter can make it difficult to know what to wear. Dressing to stay warm without compromising on the latest fashion trends requires some extra effort, particularly when you’re unsure whether the day will bring rain or sunshine, but is still very possible – just look at the recent collection from Louis Vuitton, which encompasses some classic layering designed to make season-friendly dressing a cinch.
Although perhaps one of the most notable examples of how to nail autumn and winter’s biggest trends this year, it certainly isn’t the only one, and there are plenty of style tips to be taken from the catwalks to ensure you make it through the season in style. Here, we take a look at five luxe looks for autumn and winter 2022 to inspire your imminent wardrobe update.
Neutral tones
Neutrals are a timeless choice that will always have a place in our wardrobes, no matter what the season happens to be. While linen has been the fabric of the summer, luxury fashion house Jacquemus gave a nod to the salt mountains of the Camargue Park in Arles, France by showcasing only white and cream pieces in its recent showcase for the new season ahead. Entitled ‘Le Papier’, this collection included the majority of linen pieces and was even modelled by Victoria Beckham herself – so if you thought linen was only meant for warmer weather, then think again, because it’s set to be a popular choice for winter, too.
Versatile neutral pieces such as simple t-shirts, wide-leg trousers and a smart-casual blazer are the perfect picks for autumn and winter, and with their non-committal tones, can be easily layered or teamed with just about anything you like in your wardrobe to create a variety of different looks.
Classics cuts
Dressing for the colder months doesn’t require you to buy an entirely new wardrobe – despite the fact that that’s all part of the new season fun. The key to sophisticated styling is classic pieces that will stand the test of time, and that will help you to create a capsule wardrobe of items you can wear for the entire year.
Those neutrals – in classic styles – are a good start, but the possibilities abound. As inspired by Hedi Slimane’s recent collection for Celine, it can be just as easy to stay on top of trends by pairing together everyday minimalist pieces that you already have in your wardrobe, like a statement chunky necklace, a big coat, or a structured blazer. Think longevity when shopping for new garments, and be prepared to invest in expensive pieces that will last you well into the future.
Elegance
While fashion may change with the seasons, elegance will never fall out of favour – and the catwalks continue to prove it. In his latest show at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in March, Ralph Lauren held an elegant evening inspired by his hope for peace following the recent devastation in Ukraine. His collection was made up of monochromatic colours punctuated with bursts of bright red – all while keeping to the classic, sleek and tailored silhouettes that his label is known for.
Taking inspiration from Ralph’s show, choosing elegant dresses for your autumn/winter wardrobe is a simple way to add elegance and glamour – while also keeping your looks fun and creative. And, by choosing the right pieces to layer them up with, they can be dressed up or down, for day or night.
Embroidery
Opting for embroidered pieces is a quick trick for taking timeless pieces to the next level. For Moschino’s autumn/winter collection, creative director Jeremy Scott looked back at the history of the label to when Franco Moschino boldly added cutlery brooches and hot-and-cold tap handles in his ready-to-wear collection. At the same time, Chanel’s newest pieces centred around the house signature: tweed.
While it might be difficult to incorporate Moschino’s daring looks into your winter wardrobe, you can still be inspired by their bold collection in your fashion choices, and give a nod to Chanel by subtly adding tweed into your looks. Embellishments are an easy way to add a little glamour and opulence to a simple look, and ensure you stand out from the crowd.
Tailoring
Tailored pieces were one of the most popular trends from recent catwalks, and from Balenciaga’s oversized tailoring and Dior’s feminine tailoring to Jil Sander’s sculptural take on the trend, these modern and sophisticated designs are taking the winter season by storm. Jil Sander’s introduction of flat ankle boots as the boot for autumn/winter 2022 is also worth noting, and is the perfect pairing for the season’s hottest tailored pieces, so if you add just one piece of footwear to your collection, then make it a pair of these.
With these five luxe looks inspired by the latest autumn/winter catwalks, it couldn’t be simpler to make sure you stay on trend this season whilst dressing suitably for the cooler and more unpredictable weather.
