Fashion notes: Don't let winter wardrobe leave you in the cold

Winter is coming. You can see it on faces – that obligatory grimace finally lifting. Not that it’s exactly breezy – more like walking through a cup of hot tea, rather than molten lava. Still, those who have spent a summer here know well that a degree or two here or there makes a considerable difference in our basic levels of contentment.

While we may not have to pack away our summer wardrobe like most, be strict about getting rid of anything that doesn’t fit or has lost its match. Be ruthless and ask yourself three questions. Does it fit? Is it in good shape? Have you worn it more than once in the past year? More than two “nos” and it’s out.

Now, I understand that fashion isn’t for everyone. To some the whole concept can be somewhat terrifying, especially when it comes to trends. Luckily, they are, for the most part, easy to spot and just as easy to ignore, so make sure to know your limits and what feels comfortable.

While it’s important to be realistic about our limits, what we often perceive to be our biggest flaw is actually what needs to be accentuated. If you’re curvy, try not to disguise your figure in a shapeless sack. Instead, look for the magical s-curve (it’s there) and use it. The same goes for those with a boyish figure – play things to your advantage. Most women would kill for the options you have, with cigarette trousers and dropped waists.

So now that’s all clear, what should we be looking out for this winter? Let’s start with colour – it isn’t a season for sissies. Designers such as Dior and Balenciaga packed the runways with the most unexpected colour combination: pink and green. And it doesn’t stop there – look out for tangerine orange, sunny yellow, hibiscus, scarlet and fuchsia. Think bright on brights; print on prints.

When it comes to this season’s prints, for inspiration look no further than the offbeat British designer Christopher Kane, with his otherworldly 3-D millefeuille dresses. At Dries van Noten, we witnessed the interesting mix of op-art motifs, while at Kenzo and Proenza Schouler, high-­octane patterns that wouldn’t have looked out of place on a 1990s dance floor made a mark.

The 1960s influence doesn’t seem to be laying its head to rest, either. The retro trend overtook at most of the major houses at the Paris shows – Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton and Valentino. Think thigh-grazing dolly bird dresses and structured A-line shifts, all paired with iridescent, knee-high boots for a fun take.

Lastly, as absurd as it sounds at the moment, there’s no need to write off the season’s most prolific trend: knitwear. While it’s fairly obvious that a full-length knitted cape dress with matching hat would look a little out of place, there are other options that enable us to dabble. A fine knit with this season’s embellishment should be your go-to. It’s best worn with casual denim, cotton or jersey to keep the off-duty vibe alive.

No matter what you think or read, fashion is not the exclusive invite that you never received. Most of the time, it’s simply there to help, so try not to fear the unknown and write it off as senseless. As for your perceived flaws, life is too short to obsess over such wholly unimportant matters. Besides, I’d bet my life that most people are a whole lot less interested in them than you.

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