Autumn/Winter 2012 Trends

I haven't done a post on fashion trends in ages and I've been considering doing a post like this for a while, so decided I'd finally give it a go! I may do more like this in the future, depending on how well this one turns out. For this type of post, my idea is to pick a single online shop and post a few of their items which I find the most inspiring and fashionable.

I've chosen Avenue32 for this particular autumn/winter trends post. It's a UK based online designer boutique -- and while it's definitely out of my price range, I think it's still fun to have a look and get inspired!

The first item I've chosen to feature in this post are these gold and black baroque print trousers by Wunderkind. Baroque is right on-trend this A/W, and though I've yet to find the perfect piece in this print, I absolutely love it! Trousers like these are such a statement piece that I'd be inclined to keep the rest of my outfit quite simple and understated and let the trousers be the main focus.

What would cold weather would it be without knits? Cardigans and sweaters are always a staple in my A/W wardrobe.

The winter white sweater by Garzon on the left is my favourite of the bunch, with a cable knit and ability to be paired with so many other pieces.

The grey sweater by BLK DNM in the centre is another that could be worn so many ways. Sweaters such as this one can be easily worn casually with jeans for an effortless look and also worn with a dress shirt underneath and trousers for a dressier and more work appropriate style. Basic items such as this, and the white sweater, are wonderful simply because they're so versatile in regards to how they can be styled.

The final sweater on the left by Cédric Charlier is the most unique of the bunch -- with a metallic gold flecked collar that really makes it stand out. I used to love hunting through thrift shop searching for old sweaters with gold detailing. This reminded me of a high fashion version of a sweater I bought at a thrift shop when I was fourteen which had gold tone beading round the collar.

This is probably the most unusual of the items I chose to feature in this post, but also one of my favourites. I typically have an aversion to clothing that has been purposely destructed -- whether the means of destruction have been fraying, cutting of holes, or anything else of the sort. However, this dress stood out to me as soon as I saw it. It's a classic, ladylike dress with a back made of singed-appearing chiffon. I know this isn't a dress everyone will appreciate, but I love the incredibly unique contrast between the flawless satin of which the dress is made and the patches than appear to be burnt. Also, love the bow on the back -- such a cute, feminine touch!

As many of you will already know, I love the 1960s in fashion. These two pieces reminded me of two of my favourite 1960s style icons. The classic striped shirt was a staple in Brigitte Bardot's wardrobe which she always made look effortlessly stylish and sexy. Stripes will never go out of fashion, as far as I'm concerned. And I doubt I'm the only one who, upon seeing a pillbox hat, immediately thinks of Jackie O -- who wore pillbox hats better than anyone back then, maybe even since.

Another print that's right on-trend this A/W is geometric print. For me, geometric print can often be a hard sell -- it has to be the right print on the right garment. However, I recently bought a trench coat from Sirens in a geometric print similar to that of this coat and I absolutely love it. I also love the print and style of this Commuun 1950s inspired coat -- with its monochrome colours and a tie at the waist to cinch in, I'm figuratively sold.

And, of course, I couldn't do a trends post without a lovely piece of boudoir fashion. I am completely in love with this kimono style robe -- it is so stunning. The black lace and champagne silk make an incredibly gorgeous combination. I love delicate pieces like this, they're just so pretty.

I'm currently in a bit of a fix regarding my handbag. I've been using the same thrifted bag for about a year and it's far too small. Every time I take something out of my bag, the contents shift as one of the items crammed inside is removed, and trying to put said item back in is not unlike trying to force a puzzle piece into the wrong space -- too frustrating!

I've been looking for some bag-inspiration, and I think I've found it. These two bags are gorgeous and perfect for A/W 2012 with structured totes being back and perfectly on-trend. They're far out of my price range, as everything else in this post is, but I'd love to find something similar for a more affordable price. I love structured bags, especially ones with a briefcase influence such as the one on the left. However, as much as I like it, I have to say the Pauric Sweeney bag on the right is my favourite of the two. Its shape reminds me of that of a really neat old doctor's bag -- love!

The final two items I chose to feature in this post were two dresses that, I thought, contrast one another nicely. Although both are dark in colour and appear to be of similar lengths, one is very structured, while the other is quite floaty and free.

The black dress on the left by Cédric Charlier is a classic style, reminiscent of the late 1950s and early 1960s. I love how well structured this dress is, and how the rose gold buttons add an extra something special to this very simple, stylish dress.

The dress on the right by Chalayan is a simple skater-style dress. Skater dresses have been on-trend for a while now, and from what I can tell, are showing few signs of going out of style soon. And this inky shade of navy is not only very flattering on most skin tones, but also quite on-trend this A/W. I'm still searching for the perfect piece in this colour, it's one of my favourites this A/W, along with burgundy and, of course, black.

I hope you guys enjoyed this post and if you'd like to see more like this in the future, do let me know!

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