There has been a LOT of shopping this month- and the frenzied last weeks of the year are usually when serious panic sweeps happen (in my world anyway). So let's try stepping away from the credit cards when it comes to our wardrobes, and look at ways NOT to spend. Which is much easier than we might think, as seasonal fashion trends are often about restyling pieces that have come before in a fresh way- Exactly the approach we should take with our wardrobes. Here are ten AW23 catwalk styling tips that are guaranteed to add a little fashion pizzazz to our party/Christmas styling, and pretty much all can be achieved with our existing wardrobes. Leaving more pennies for a cocktail or two.
1. Add a white shirt
It's really as easy as that. This year's quiet luxury trend is excellent news for staples already in our wardrobes: the white work shirt is suddenly transformed to the ultimate party worthy piece. Button up or down, team with sparkles or jeans and a statement shoe depending on the glam level required, and if you are brave try a black tie ala Valentino. Never has day to night dressing been so easy.
Alexander Mcqueen,Valentino Couture, Valentino
2. Pick a Colour
Red is the colour of the season, but pink yellow and pale blue are also big news. Regardless of the shade, the key is to approach colour in your wardrobe adventurously and with a colour block mentality, which means being brave and ditching the 'only wear brights with black' rule our mothers taught us. It's way more fun. PS Try for colours that sit close to each other on the colourwheel if you don't own head to toe monochrome.
Ganni, Ferragamo, Jil Sander
3. Switch up the black opaques
The trusty black 100 denier has finally lost its footing to its more fun cousins. Sheer, colour, lace, fishnet and gasp, even nude will cheaply uplevel that dress you’ve got a bit bored of, and most of us will have some options lurking at the back of the drawer. A 20 denier is a simple trade up (give it a go- it feels surprisingly subversive) a red tight with a red shoe will have you positively fashion forward, and try a black sheer with a pale dress. Don’t forget a nifty pop sock under a trouser.
chanel, valentino, tory burch
4. Throw jumpers over everything
This once subversive combo is now fully mainstream, and I defy anyone not to own a jumper ( or ten) Restyle a party dress, skirt or a pair of sequin trousers with knitwear, and you'll breathe new life into pieces, and stay cosy too, or for a bit of edge try a sweatshirt or hoodie. Perfect for Christmas day dressing. (Slim cashmere knits keep things classic, while oversized and sweats are more fashion forward.)
Ganni, Conor Ives, Prada
5. Borrow from the boys
Androgenous energy is high, and should you have a tuxedo jacket in your wardrobe you are already winning, worn as part of a masculine suit, with nothing underneath Bianca Jagger style , or preppy over a mini skirt. And if you dont? Steal from a locationally proximate male for a very 'now' oversized throw on over whatever you are wearing, for a borrowed from the boys look.
Valentino, Saint Laurent, Balmain
6. Try a Bow
As an antidote to all the masculine dressing, the humble bow has freed itself from the shackles of school uniform and Shirley Temple and had a fashion rebrand. And if your wardrobe is bowless? For an easy hack add a haberdashery ribbon ( either thick or thin) tied around your neck or in a ponytail.
Chanel, Maxmara, Zimmerman
7. Embrace the Black
Many of us will have a disproportionate amount of black hanging in the wardrobe. If this is you, it's time to embrace it, as the all black ensemble is trending for a/w. For extra AW 2023 interest try to mix up textures like velvet, lace, leather and satin, to create a grungey Wednesday Adams effect.
Bora Aksu, Juhan Wang, Chanel
8. Go Flat.
Let's face it party shoes are agony for the large majority of us. Save your bunions and switch things up with a biker boot, a flat pump instead of a heel, or get really subversive with a chunky slide. Comfort aside, flats have the added added bonus of removing any worry you've 'overdressed', even if you're wearing a meringue.
Jil Sander, Loewe
9. Make your coat the outfit
Invested in a statement coat this Autumn? Surely it seems a waste to relegate it to the cloakroom. Make it part of, or even all of your look: Team with a great pair of shoes and an 'I may not be wearing anything underneath' air. ( On a more basic level this also works well if you dont have time to change after work)
Gucci, Michael Kors, Ulla Johnson
10. Stick to Jeans and a nice topÂ
The trusty combo that has often got a hard rap in fashion circles has been rebooted. Throw on a loose fitting jean, team with a barely there sandal or stiletto and your top of choice ( be it midriff skimming or a shirt) and voila, instant high low fashion endorsed party style
Versace
Thank you for reading! I will be back in the new year! If you enjoyed and would like my blog delivered to your inbox for a sunday morning read in 2024Â subscribe hereÂ
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