What to wear in 2015

What to wear in 2015

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

The summer of love is back in full force with bohemian-inspired looks appearing on the runways of designers such as Dries Van Noten (left), Gucci's Frida Giannini (right), Joseph Altuzarra and more.

Think elevated music festival rather than stereotypical hippie for this trend, as the outfits have a sophisticated touch in the form of floaty fabrics and prints in earthy colours.

How to wear it: Embrace silhouettes associated with these looks - maxi skirts and layered pieces, for example - but in dressy materials, such as silk and chiffon, to keep things modern.

Even covered up, design details such as slits and sheer panels help add a dose of freshness.

Slicked-back hair and clean make-up will also prevent the look from appearing over the top and dated.

MILITARY CHIC

Designers chose to salute the military trend this season, with monochrome looks from olive, to khaki, to camouflage, appearing on the runways of designers such as Marc Jacobs (left), Ralph Lauren (right) and even Chanel's Karl Lagerfeld.

Utilitarian details, including parachute-like silk materials, drawstring closures and roomy pockets, were also elements that were a nod to the trend.

How to wear it: Temper the masculine effect of the military trend by pairing the looks with feminine details. The looks from Marc Jacobs and Ralph Lauren, with their skirt silhouettes and silky fabrics, give the trend a playful spin.

Those wary of the head-to-toe look can start DENIM DELUXE

Denim is not a material commonly associated with the runway, but that is set to change with the ever increasing number of designers utilising it to chic effect, including Stella McCartney (left), Chloe's Clare Waight Keller (right), Michael Kors and Christophe Lemaire.

Although it is used in looks inspired by traditional workwear such as jumpsuits, the outfits look crisp and modern with the dark solid hue and roomy cuts.

How to wear it: The colour and silhouette of denim are keys to making the outfits look fashion forward. Dark, monotone denim in an almost boxy cut works best.

Denim used in unexpected ways can make the outfit fun. A strapless pleated dress at Christophe Lemaire and a laser-cut lace skirt at Valentino both give new life to the denim material by using it as if it is a more conventional fabric.

BOLD BLOOMS

Florals for spring, as The Devil Wears Prada's frosty editor Miranda Priestly puts it, is far from ground-breaking. But for this fashion season, it is about bold colour and striking prints of the floral variety.

Forget itty bitty wildflowers or dreamy pastel colours. The vivid blooms on the runways of designers such as Celine's Phoebe Philo (left) and Marni's Consuelo Castiglioni (right) pack a punch.

How to wear it: This wearable trend is all about unleashing your inner colour-loving persona. So long as the silhouette of the top, bottom or dress is flattering, most people can pull off the eye-catching flowers and plants.

Daring fashionistas can try opting for oversized blooms. They are especially striking when featured on normally solid outerwear, as shown in the Marni outfit.

WHITE OUT

White-on-white outfits are a breath of fresh air compared to more maximalist ensembles. Designers such as Loewe's J.W. Anderson (left), Balenciaga's Alexander Wang (right) and Dior's Raf Simons sent iterations of the minimalist look out onto their runways.

Billowing lines are another key aspect of this trend. Far from skin tight, these looks come in slightly oversized shapes that emphasise their simplicity and sophistication.

How to wear it: The clean, fresh vibe of the all-white look is easy to pull off. A pared-down vibe is key, but little design details - such as a belt or collar in the above outfits - help steer the look into a purposeful and fashion forward area.

Avoid pairing the look with white shoes or accessories, which would be reminiscent of old-fashioned nurses. Make sure the white is properly opaque as well. Tan and metallic shades work well with cream and more blue-based whites, respectively.

ON THE DOT

Polka dots, along with florals and stripes, are chic prints that have clearly stood the style test of time.

They can be both classic and whimsical, as evidenced by recent dotted looks on the runways of designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana of Dolce & Gabbana (left), Junya Watanabe (right), Marc by Marc Jacobs' Luella Bartley and Katie Hillier.

How to wear it: This pattern can swing a bit twee on adults, so avoid emphasising that with overtly girly details such as ruffles, bows and peter pan collars.

The size of the dots also changes the look quite drastically. Small swiss dots can evoke the 1980s, so opt for more modern, medium-sized polka dots. When blown up to oversized proportions, as in the above Junya Watanabe outfit, they take on a very bold, graphic quality.

FRINGE BENEFITS

Fringe is a detail that comes alive when the wearer moves, when it is used as an accent on hems.

This time around, they are being used to liven up outfits in subdued palettes of black, white and grey.

The trend made an appearance this season on the runways of designers, including Proenza Schouler's Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez (left), Fendi's Karl Lagerfeld (right), Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci and Sonia Rykiel.

How to wear it: Challenging to wear, fringe is one of those high-fashion trends that can make the average person look more like a showgirl or cowboy, or some unfortunate mixture of the two.

Like the designers chose to do, pick looks in more neutral shades such as grey, black or olive, so the fringe does not get too clownish.

Choose outfits with fringes shorter than those seen in runway editions, to increase wearability.

UNDERSTATED SEQUINS

Day-to-night fashion gets another champion in the form of some subdued sparkle.

Designers such as Burberry's Christopher Bailey (right) and Bottega Veneta's Tomas Maier (left) have taken sequins - usually thought of in the context of sexed-up eveningwear - and made them appropriate for day by combining and layering them with other materials, such as denim, to tone down the overall effect.

How to wear it: Do as the designers did, and use more casual materials - such as linen, cotton and denim - to reduce the night-time feel of sequinned tops and bottoms.

The fun trend is an easy way to glam up a day look, or relax a night look and it does not need to be taken too seriously.

You could even pair it with a sweatshirt and sneakers to play up the style contrast.


This article was first published on Jan 16, 2015.
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