November 2, 2020

The Trend Pieces To Invest In This Winter

The bits you’ll want to wear next year too. Promise!

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As much as I love an extremely bland clothing palette – I mean I could live quite happily in jeans, a black jumper and plain boots pretty much exclusively all year round – even I can admit that occasionally something with a splash of pizzaz can give a much needed oomph to your outfit. Now I’m not talking about anything wild here, just pieces that are perhaps a notch over and above your usual comfort-zone. For me I’ve identified four areas where I reckon an investment in something considered a bit of a ‘2020 trend piece‘ is actually something that will look cracking over the coming months, but is actually something that you’ll wear for years to come and will give a tonne of styling options to your wardrobe. Enter my edits for colourful knits to pair with denim and beyond, matching knitwear (perhaps my favourite of them all), the leather trousers that are actually comfortable and patterned boots to jazz up a plain outfit…

THE COLOURFUL KNIT

The irony of me sharing photos with the post of me wearing a massive black jumper, when I’m in fact suggesting you invest in a colourful knitwear item is not lost on me promise. BUT, I’ve realised the secret for me when it comes in investing in these brighter pieces in my wardrobe is to go for more muted, pastel tones. They tend to be a little softer and more flattering for many of us, and because they aren’t as bold I personally find them easier to style. Lilac is my colour of the moment and this & Other Stories Mock Neck Sweater* comes in a soft lilac, and many more shades too. If I was to pick a favourite from the bunch it would be the Mango Oversized Knit Sweater in Mustard* – how lush is the fit on that? And the colour too? DREAMY. Sage is a great bet as well and is so darn close to being a neutral, so is very easy to style, and I love the look of this ARKET Alpaca & Merino Cardigan*; a chunky cardigan without being *too* chunky.

SHOP THE COLOURFUL KNIT EDIT*

THE MATCHING SET

Hands up who still can’t get the photo of Katie Holmes hailing a cab in New York in a matching cashmere bra and cardigan out of their heads? Nope, me neither. It’s just FABULOUS, but that exact set will sadly set you back over £1,000+. Thankfully Mango* have caught on and if it’s a matching knitted crop and cardi set you want to get your hands on, I have three up my sleeve which tick all the boxes. This year it might be something that you wear as a matching set, although I like the idea of splitting them up and mixing and matching, or using the cardigans for their original purpose and wearing the vest tops and bras just under jumpers and sweatshirts as a little luxury underwear piece. You know when you’re boiling and want to take off your jumper but you can’t because you’re just wearing a bra underneath? That issue is fine when you’ve got a knitted crop or vest underneath right? If it’s texture that you’re after try the Open Knit Top* and Cardigan*. If you want something that’s more in line with Katie’s combo try the Knit Strap Top* and Button Knit Cardigan*. Or if you fancy something that will work just as well on it’s own as it would together try the Ribbed Knitted Top* and Ribbed Knitted Cardigan*.

SHOP THE MATCHING SET EDIT*

THE LEATHER TROUSERS

As a perpetual trouser wearer I *need* leather trousers in my collection. A trend piece for 2020, let’s be real, they are a trend piece every damn winter but I get it. They add some texture to my wardrobe and add an option to my wardrobe that isn’t denim that is very much welcomed. Although they do tend to be more a formal piece for me – a piece that probably isn’t required this season – if you find a pair that are comfortable enough then you can stretch a bit more wear out of them. I have the & Other Stories Kick Flare Leather Trousers*. Don’t be put off by the name, they really aren’t that flare-y and are such a comfortable fit. They are pricier than others here, but they are lined and just feel really hardy (my advice would be to size down FYI – they come up a little large and like all leather they do have a bit of give in them over time). For that oversized ‘a bit too long’ baggy fit, the Mango Leather Effect Straight Trousers* look like a great option. The fact that they are a little less fitted gives them a few more comfort-factor points and they look great styled with vests and tighter wool turtlenecks. The ones I’m wearing in these photos are the ZARA Leather Trousers, which are a new purchase for me (I have the medium), and they are sooooo damn comfortable. Definitely worth considering (if you can ever find them in stock!).

SHOP THE LEATHER TROUSER EDIT*

THE ANIMAL PRINT BOOTS

Another trend that isn’t really a ‘trend’ per se for me, but is something that I go back to every single year and every single season in one format or another, is animal print. In boots I love it – leopard print, snakeskin, zebra print – I’d take them all. We made a trip back to our storage locker last week and it took every ounce of willpower inside of me to resist brining my snakeskin boots back to my parent’s spare room with me. I MISS THEM! I don’t tend to add pattern in any other way, so boots are a way to add some interest without it feeling too overpowering. These Sam Edelman Snake-Effect Leather Ankle Boots* look lush and are a cracking 50% off. If you want a pair of boots that your Dad is going to go ‘What the hell are those!?!’ at then I reckon these Mango Zebra Leather Ankle Boots* would do the trick. Finally, if it’s something a bit more subtle that you’re after I like the mock-croc effect of these Mango Heel Leather Ankle Boots* – that offer a bit of texture without a possibly headache-inducing print.