AW18 Womenswear Trend Report

Autumn/Winter 18 tells the story of dynamic women, who break convention, flaunt their sexuality and reference their idols. In the wake of recent social movements, AW18 has explored the male gaze, broken gender barriers and brought a new meaning to feminist fashion. Our Womenswear Buying team’s pick of the top 10 fashion trends this season are here to fuel your wardrobe inspiration.

Checks have always been a part of traditional British fashion and delivered many iterations through the decades, from the punks of Kings Road to the tweed loving elite. Break the rules with clashing tartan coats and accessories from Burberry, experiment with primary coloured tailoring with Marta Jakubowski and pay homage to the rebels with Palm Angels’ tattoo print pieces.

Channel 1988 Melanie Griffith with boardroom basics, whether it be the nipped waist power suits or a fluid, oversized zoot suit. Break gender rules with Wales Bonner, utilise classic tailored style in Haider Ackermann and relax the fit with Stella McCartney.

Woodstock may be a distant memory for the free-love generation but will always remain a constant source of inspiration. From bohemian prints in autumnal shades to suede satchels and platform Mary Janes, these vintage-inspired pieces remain a timeless treasure. Go native in traditional style knitwear from Missoni, combine sepia tones in Chloé and drape yourself in ethereal fabrics from Jacquemus.

Power shoulders are synonymous with the scorned Alexis Carrington Colby in the decade that also brought us rah-rah skirts and perms. More is definitely more with this captivating silhouette leaving the power in your hands (not that it ever left). Never leave the house without your cat eye sunglasses, carry a clutch at all times and nothing screams influence like a pair of pointed stilettos. Be an authority in Alexandre Vauthier, run the show in Versace and storm any party in Alessandra Rich.

The modern club kids don’t save their party pieces for an underground rave, they pound the pavements daily in flashes of fluorescent. Layer neon and PVC in Balmain, recklessly abandon stereotypes in Martine Rose and go grunge in cargos from Hyein Seo.

Army surplus style has created a continuous obsession for designers and a need to reimagine this utilitarian uniform. Lead the way in military green from J.W. Anderson, reinvent camouflage in Marques’almeida and protect yourself from the elements in Juun.J. Who run the world?

Head-to-toe leather ensembles are often associated with a fierce dominatrix but today’s modern woman wears it like she is ready for battle. Mix leather with sports luxe styling in Off-White, make a statement in a structured PVC dress from Natasha Zinko and sculpt your frame in armour-like Givenchy.

Those Day-Glo colours we thought we had left behind in the 90s have returned and it’s not just the sportswear that is utilising these shocking shades. Be a shining beacon of neon in Prada with accessories to match, stop traffic in hi-vis Balenciaga and harness psychedelic powers in prints from Molly Goddard.

“Do you prefer ‘fashion victim’ or ‘ensemble-y challenged’?” Well, this season we are embracing our Beverly Hills Betty and with Miss Horowitz as our lifelong inspiration, we are anything but clueless when it comes to our wardrobe. Revisit your tartan twin set with Versace, sparkle at prom in an Adam Selman slip dress and look pretty in pastels with Staud.

We think Jimmy’s Purple Haze was referring to this AW18’s mix of violaceous accessories.  Wear a twinkle on your toes with a pair of Manolo Blahniks, bring an additional pop of plum with Simon Miller and adopt a Scottish Heritage in those tartan berets from Versace.

Words by Alexandra Oliver