10 things to wear: Your shopping guide to London Fashion Week
Here are some of the top takeaway trends from London Fashion Week, which ended on Tuesday.
Over the years, Mary Katrantzou has turned to perfume bottles, lampshades, typewriters and old postage stamps for print inspiration. For spring, she conceived a three-part homage to shoes: a men’s brogue, a sneaker and a dress shoe. You can see here how the fringe of the brogue has been reimagined as a swishy strapless dress. Print or no print, it’s a silhouette that will trickle down to high street shops.Richard Chambury/The Associated Press
Floral motifs were in full bloom at the London shows. But Christopher Kane’s cerebral approach – botanical renderings from textbook diagrams – was cool rather than prissy. And his garment construction once again confirms that he is the leader among equals. Set amid organza patterned in arrows or beaming forth from a sweatshirt, his irises have staying power.OLIVIA HARRIS/Reuters
This season, Erdem Moralioglu shifted gears, moving away from colour toward a predominantly black-and-white collection. Taking a cue from prep-school uniforms, he riffed on crisp white shirts; from there, he added in decorative elements such as feathers or black tulle. Don’t be surprised if the Duchess of Cambridge shows up in a look or two.Richard Chambury/The Associated Press
Anyone who dares to wear a mini-dress packed so tightly with mirrored pieces accepts that she is a walking disco ball. But Tom Ford just so happens to create versions that are technical wonders. While imitations won’t be nearly as well constructed as his, expect to see your refracted reflection in lots of glam party looks come spring.SUZANNE PLUNKETT/Reuters
Simone Rocha showed that a tailored, ladylike dress could be transformed into something cooler and directional simply by dropping a ruffle to below the hip. It is a look that will flatter many body – and personality – types. And let’s not ignore the knee-highs trimmed with pearls. No doubt fast-fashion brands are already figuring out how to replicate her haute hosiery.SUZANNE PLUNKETT/Reuters
At first glance, the Meadham Kirchhoff collection may seem extremely eccentric. But most of what you see can be attributed to top-level styling. At its core, the designer duo excels in sumptuous fabrications and modernizing period detail. There is something novel, fun even, about an apron reduced in size and layered atop an evening dress.OLIVIA HARRIS/Reuters
The brand best known for its crisp trenches will stock its stores with effortless, enveloping sweater coats for spring. Notice an easing up on structure with emphasis on a comforting, casual shape; these cardigan-coat hybrids will surely penetrate all levels of retail. But the quality of knit will make the difference; buy the best that you can afford. And in a pretty pastel colour, of course.SUZANNE PLUNKETT/Reuters
Are we living in post-It Bag times? Not when there are pochettes as punchy and practical as this one from Mulberry. And if you are keen to be matchy-match with your pup, the same oversized 1960s print is available as a dog coat.SUZANNE PLUNKETT/Reuters
Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos think like sculptors; they excel at unconventional angles and beautifully molded shapes. Note how their full skirt, propped up by a crinoline, swoops up slightly in the front. This is just the sort of detail that influences fashion, consciously or not. All that orchid-patterned lace was rather special, tooEDDIE KEOGH/Reuters
The simplest messages can have the strongest impact. At Unique, the higher-end label within Topshop, indigo was positioned as a neutral and felt instantly fresh. Wearing and layering it tone-on-tone is less predictable than black and not nearly as precious as white. Go ahead and get a head start on this trend now. Be unique before it’s too late.Jonathan Short/The Associated Press