1st October 2017

A/W 17: The Trends to Know

Fashion - By Alexandra Stedman

Image: via Pinterest

Fashion. What’s that again?

So between wearing tracksuit bottoms and maternity leggings (yes, I’m 4 months pregnant) I haven’t really been thinking too much of trends lately. I have actually barely bought anything for the new season, being a bit more cautious about my growing shape and my money!

But that doesn’t mean I can’t be selfless and think about the AW17 trends that you should be keeping your eye on (as requested by a few readers!). Well, here is what I would probably be buying if my mind wasn’t otherwise preoccupied with baby books and trying not to be sick on a daily basis (I’ve tried ginger biscuits, they don’t work for me, sadly!):

Boots: £36, Topshop

1. ANYTHING RED

If you walk around any High Street store at the moment, you’ll notice pretty much every rail is filled with red. It’s a huge colour and one I’ve been championing for a while. My tip is go for an accessory like a pair of shoes or boots – they lift any outfit and can make jeans and a jumper look a whole lot more special.

2. HERITAGE CHECKS

Thinking that everyone on your Instagram feed is wearing a check blazer right now? Then you would be correct…because checks, specifically plaid and heritage prints like Prince of Wales are in for winter – investing in a check coat would be a good idea (I’ve seen this Debenhams coat up close on a shoot and it’s definitely a winner):

Coat: £140, J by Jasper Conran at Debenhams

3. GRANNY DRESSES

My current trend of choice (mainly for their ease), a long sleeve dress that can take you from day to night will be the most versatile item in your wardrobe. Look for details such as florals and frills to really add the old lady factor but pair with boots to toughen it up. Obviously Ganni do my dream version but H&M, as always, has the next best thing…

Dress: £235, Ganni at Net A Porter

Dress: £49.99, H&M

4. ZIPS

This is more of a micro-trend but one I’m starting to really like – I saw this Kitri dress in their Marylebone pop-up store this week and can’t stop thinking about it, mainly because it just offers something a little different (Cefinn, Samantha Cameron’s brand also had a lot of zip detail on her dresses, when I viewed the collection).

Dress: £105, Kitri

Boots: £49.99, Mango

5. CORDUROY

Okay, so bare with me here. Not the same brown unflattering cords you used to wear in your teens…look for interesting colours (the look du jour are the Mango pink cords) and a good cut. I love these from Finery – just imagine with a block heel and a chunky, cream oversized knit..

Corduroys: £79, Finery

6. DARK DENIM

We’ve been comfortable in our straight leg stonewash jeans for far too long, it seems. This season we’re moving onto dark denim, a smarter more structured feel – plus it’s all about that contrast stitching. Try working this into a ‘tonal’ look mixing with a navy knit for extra fashion brownie points – this crisp denim also looks good with a classic, oversized trench too.

Dress: £42, Topshop (not actually denim but the feel of the trend)

Jeans: £55, Arket

What I love about this season is that there really seems to be a return of colour and vibrancy – fashion is fun again. The world might be a scary place right now but at least we can enjoy a bit of escapism now and then.

By Alexandra Stedman

Fashion Editor, Blogger, Realist

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Comments

  2. Thank you ….I’ve nailed red ,granny dresses and dark denim. I was going for a check coat but was unable to resist dark blue, furry with silver lining (I know) from M&S. I blame the 70’s when I was a teen.

    Good luck with the sickness…ginger tea???
    Take care lovely
    Xxx

  4. Congratulations on your lovely news, Alex! I’ve read your blog for the last four years and felt a bit daft to be so happy for someone I don’t actually know!

    I’m 22 weeks pregnant myself and am just going to invest in a few accessories this season – a red bag is on my list and maybe a granny dress, if I can find one that doesn’t look ridiculous on a growing bump.

    Fingers crossed the puking is over soon. I was throwing up about 5/6 times a day most days until week 14/15 but feeling a million times better now – the second trimester is much more fun, I promise! (And I was about ready to punch the next well-meaning person that suggested ginger to me!)

    xxxx

  6. This post is very timely as I went to Oxford Street yesterday to buy lots of new clothes. I didnt buy anything in the end and left feeling very confused as there is so much choice in the shops and I have definitely lost my way fashion-wise! Before I venture towards granny dresses though I feel I need to get the basics right – can you signpost to any previous posts about that? I would be bery grateful! X

  7. Congratulations on your wonderful news, another great post as always not sure I can pull off the granny dresses or corduroy trousers but hey maybe worth a try! Happy maternity shopping!!!

  9. Furry blue with a silver lining?? That sounds INCREDIBLE – good find! Haven’t been able to drink hot drinks since I found out annoyingly….the only thing that helps is chips and coke – fine by me but slightly worried my baby might come out looking like a potato….!

  11. Oh congratulations to you too! I’ve been loving the granny dresses for pregnancy – I added a skinny belt to a few to feel a bit less tent-like!
    Yes a man tried to tell me ginger biscuits helped at a hairdressers and I was ready to scream!! Fingers crossed the relief comes soon xx

  13. Now I’ve done a lot of posts in recent years! My generally everyday posts are the best to look at probably – as I often wear more basics in general and then add in elements of the new trends x

  16. Congratulations Alex! My top tip for the nausea is to not let your stomach get too empty; little and often is the way forward, and keep something to nibble on by your bed too.

    Take care and have fun with your maternity clothes!

  17. Just a quick congratulations and to say love your posts always approachable but aspirational!

    Sickness has just started for me – twister ice lollies are the only thing working for me! Also also has a Greek ginger yoghurt that I can tolerate with breakfast biscuits ?

  18. I had hyperemesis for the first 5 months of my pregnancy and the only think I could drink was (full fat) coke. My 4 year old is perfect so don’t worry!

  19. Congratulations! I always found dressing for my bump a bit of a fun challenge (had my two in Feb /March so was dressing for Winter too). I’m fairly new to your blog but love getting your updates on a Sunday morning. Like the idea of red boots and adding a splash of colour to my outfit. Hope the sickness eases soon x

  20. One of my colleagues found that eating little and often helped, if she stuck to three meals a day she had terrible all day sickness. Hope yours stops soon, so you can enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!

  23. Congratulations Alex, that’s wonderful! I do love a granny dress, especially with high heeled ankle boots or a heeled open toe bootie. A moto jacket over also helps to de-frump the look. At 5’10” I’m glad these are a trend because I love having the extra length, though I’d imagine the granny dress might be a harder look for more petite women to pull off.

  24. Hi Alex,

    I’m in love with the Green, floral H&M dress! On the pregnancy sickness, I found sucking on mints helpful! They do a great assortment in Aldi! Good luck x ✨

  25. Congratulations! I’ve been reading your blog for a while and just gave birth 2 weeks ago. Would be great if you could do some maternity dressing posts. I found it very hard to dress during pregnancy, especially given the nausea and increasing baby bump and I didn’t find that much that inspired me online.

    Hope the second trimester is easier on you! Good luck! X

  26. Hi Alex, great news about the baby- congratulations-really happy for you but rotten if you feel poorly & still working hard.
    In your instagram feed -in the jigsaw shoot with the lovely red coat where are your trousers from? I’ve been looking for some swishy ankle smartish trousers for a while,
    Many thanks, Paddy

  27. Congratulations Alex! I really have no morning sickness advice to offer – distract yourself thinking of all the wonderful baby outfits you will be able to buy?

  28. So they are actually Asos maternity!! Navy kick flares – I love them so comfy (although sometimes if you wear with the wrong thing they *can look a bit like Sainsbury’s uniform BUT they have elasticated waist and comfy so not sure I care!) xx

  30. Thank you! And congratulations to you – what lovely news! I’m just seeing how I go at the moment – still no energy so find it hard to get dressed anyway! But I’m also determined not to spend too much money on it whilst still looking chic (hopefully!) xx

  34. It’s definitely different for everyone – I find small snacks don’t help – every time I eat an apple as a snack I’m sick, but a huge plate of chips fills me up and I’m generally okay…!

  36. So coke and curly fries are the only thing that does it for me too! Anything slightly healthy like nuts or fruit don’t stay down – but I just feel guilty all the time…I’m only allowing myself 1 can a day but worry about diabetes?! xxx

  41. Hi Alex

    Congratulations on your fab news (and the post – I’m at my desk in a granny dress and boots feeling very fashion-smug now!) For both of my pregnancies, I found that the morning sickness was worse if I got up (by which I mean vertical) on an empty stomach – I kept a tin of biscuits and crackers by the bed and used to eat a few whilst still lying down, then wait a few minutes before getting up, slowly! Strange, but it worked for me. Everyone’s different though, so it ends up as trial and error until you find your solution.

    xxx

  42. Bless you swamped by all our well meaning and genuine suggestions! For my two pence worth I staggered in to a local Boots begging for relief and 5 mins later had one of those wrist bands with the little ball that sits in your inner wrist, I think they are for sea sickness but (for me) the relief was instant! The pharmacist said her friend had raved about them so she had started telling customers – lucky I got her on her shift! All the best lovely, hope you feel better v soon! Px

  44. Hey Alex, huge congratulations! I feel your pain, I had serious sickness with both of my daughters – couldn’t believe it could be worse second time around but it was 🙁

    No food or drink worked for me and in the end I was forced to go down the medicine route. It was a scary decision but I could not function, first time at work and second time looking after a toddler. Both my girls were unaffected by the drugs and you do what you have to.

    For some of us it does not subside after the first trimester. I still vomited most days until the birth even despite the pills but I could atleast get out of bed.

    I love your blog and style. Keep going, it will be worth the pain! Jo x

  46. Thanks Jo! Yes I can get out of bed nowadays, so counting my blessings there! Hoping I’m not one of the ‘sick all the way through’ but if I can a few blogposts up a week I’ll be happy – very lucky being freelance I can at least be in charge of my own schedule xx

  47. Hi Pip, Yes it’s funny – they don’t work for me at all! I used to have them as I get carsick a lot but not sure what it is – most times I’d be sick whilst wearing them! I think mine is more blood sugar than nauseousness – damn hormones! xx

  49. There are some lush granny dresses around – love me a good pair of cords too. Unfortunately I’m concerned I’d look like a granny in either as I definitely lack the cool/tall/skinny gene (plus I’d have my husband ‘hilariously’ quipping that I was dressed like his mother.)
    Congratulations! Although I do sympathise with the bleurgh feeling as I was also very sick with my first. Coke (unfortunately an addiction that still lingers), plums and prawns made up roughly 100% of my diet as that weird little combination was about all I could keep down. I think the key is just finding what appeals and sticking to it for as long as you need to. Everything will be fine xx

  50. Wow Alex, what wonderful, exciting news.
    You look as gorgeous as ever despite the sickness.
    Well, when the slump happens just go with it, listen to your body!
    Not been around for a while….new tablet now and enjoyed catching up.
    Big hugs to you, XX

  51. Congratulations! I so thought you were going to announce a pregnancy when you did the post on the real reason you moved to north London ? The only time I didn’t feel sick in the first trimester was when I was eating… so I ate A LOT ? but I couldn’t even open the fridge without feeling nauseous so food had to be brought to me. Hope you feel better soon: just do what you need to do to get through the day and you and baby will be totally fine. Love the blog obvs. ?

  54. Thank you! Yes coke is the best for me – gives me energy and settles….I try to limit myself though – and yes prawn and avocado is slowly working its way back into my diet where possible! xx

  56. I found lemon essence good for morning sickness. I just would put in on a handkerchief and sniff. It did help .

  59. Wonderful news! I’ve been following your blog for the last 18 months and I’m so delighted for you both.
    Have you tried Salt and vinegar crisps? They were my saving grace!
    And Seraphine do amazing maternity jeans that make you feel less like you’re living in pjs.
    X

  61. The accessories you need this season are travel bands!!!! (also known as sea bands) Who knows you might even start a new trend!

    Hope you feel less sick/queasy/tired soon, I’ve been there for each of my pregnancies and it’s not nice…

    Em xxxx

  63. Congratulations!I had twins so really extreme morning sickness and found ice lollies (specifically lemon!) really helped.Something about the cold….

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