The Style Files: A/W 2015 Trends 

Get your wardrobe ready for A/W15 with these trends!

The 70’s are here to stay!

Spring's 1970s coverage is resolving itself for autumn into specific aspects of the look with longer-term significance. Like it or not, the flare is the new trouser shape and it can look pert and wearable, especially in the narrow, cut-short, kick flare form.The other 1970s favourite for now is the floaty, full sleeved, mixed print chiffon dress, often patchworked with lace, checks or embroidery, or reviving the Indian damask print - hand-blocked and oversized. Add in the predilection for mirrored waistcoats, fringed suede capes and you have pure festival nostalgia.

The 80‘s are back!

You might not want to go there but the cutting edge is looking to the decade that forgot taste - the 80’s and making something better of it than the original ever did. This is where draped, slouchy, easy clothes originated make them look new and glamorous in silvery lamé or bright cord trousers try your hand at the wearable side of draping with print dresses that accentuate yet flatter the body.

Folksy & Patchwork

There's a patchwork fur jacket in the current Savage Beauty exhibition of Alexander McQueen's work at the V&A that would have been a wow on today's Paris catwalk. In widely varying natural shades it sums up a leftfield trend of Paris’ recent 1970s obsession. The trend extends to other materials - wool, leather and shearling all much more chic than the 1970s hippie originals.

Underground Velvet

Unquestionably the fabric of the season, very much part of the rich, dark, deluxe feeling for the season, interpreted with an eclectic touch of haute hippie or historic references. The plainest versions are trouser suits, boyish and gamine. For this season velvet is cut-worked and devoré (burnt out). Dark, sumptuous prints on velvet, trimmed with silk cords and tassels inspired by  Morocco. Velvet prints into patchworks for long skirts and gorgeously boho gowns.

Manga Motifs

The A/W 15 counterpoint to richness and romance is a sporty modernity expressed most often in the geometry of manga-style motifs and prints. Most often these appear on sporty shapes, relaxed or body conscious, on sharp little dresses,A-line dresses or skinny catsuits. Add a touch of dayglo, geometric stripe or zig zag and you have a strong, urban look which could be fashion's newest direction.

By Minoli Ratnayake