It's been another busy few days in the world of fashion thanks to London Fashion Week (LFW). And, I have to admit, it's one of my favourite events of the fashion calendar. I just love the blur of shows and parties and of course, the endless people watching.
For anyone who doesn't work in fashion, the very notion that what you're going to wear next season is mapped out months and even years in advance, does sound slightly bizarre. But believe me, that new berry coloured jumper and leather bomber jacket you've just bought, didn't end up on the high street by accident. Both trends were planned out by trend forecasters years ago and wowed on the catwalks back at the start of this year. So, with that in mind, here's a sneak peek at what you'll be wearing next spring.
Coats are back...
Coats are no longer a dull necessity but an essential part of your outfit for SS14. Despite the relatively hot summer we've just enjoyed, designers are finally waking up to the fact we spend most of our year in relative cold, meaning our jackets need to be as stylish as the rest of our outfit. At LFW I saw a whole host of stylish but practical coats gracing the catwalk. The blue suede trench at Antipodium drew admiring glances from the women in the audience, as did Matthew Williamson's printed white version. See ladies, you can be warm and fashionable.
A floral revival
I thought florals couldn't possibly be wheeled out for yet another summer, but that was before I saw Paul Smith and John Rocha's collections. Offering two very different takes on the trend, Paul Smith projected bold blooms onto androgynous blouses while John Rocha kept the romance going with his appliquéd dresses. This is one trend that isn't going anywhere.
Sheer class
I don't know many men who would complain about slightly (or not so slightly) see-through womenswear! However, making it elegant and sophisticated can be rather tricky. So when Antonio Berardi sent his models out in beautifully tailored trousers with sheer detailing, you could practically hear the admiring gasps from the men (and women) in the audience. Other designers who nailed this look include Antipodium (again), Jonathan Saunders and Julien Macdonald. Making this one trend both men and women can enjoy next season.