Fashion as an instrument to emphasising your personal style

Trends in women’s and men’s fashion, footwear, and accessories for autumn and winter 2017/2018 were introduced by the Dutch expert Ellen Haeser. Her lecture took place directly on the catwalk in the pavilion P, and for the second time in history it was connected to a fashion show of collections of exhibitors whose pieces illustrate the new trends.

Finding your own personal style is the most important – this was emphasised in the introduction to Ellen Haeser’s lecture. A radical renewal of your wardrobe is not needed, either, on the contrary: you can have success with retro pieces from your grandmother’s wardrobe. Fashion is going back to its past and finds unusual combinations, and so to create a trendy outfit you’re going to need only a unique accessory and a new combination of the old – for example a distinctive belt over a classic checkered tweed jacket.

The trends for the following autumn and winter reflect the beauty of natural forces. Simple cuts from flowy materials, often in excessive volumes, attract attention with distinctive blocks of colour. White or cream-coloured coats refresh and brighten the look; they will be worn in maxi lengths commemorating the 1970s, whether in the form of a uniform with distinctive buttons, or in a bathrobe cut with a belt. Sweatpants and jogging trousers will find their way into everyday fashion, light coloured and made from luxury fabrics. Highlights, colour shading, and “salt and pepper” patterns will appear on handbags and shoes, too.

Fashion icons of the past – personalities who defined the 20^th century fashion styles – will be a great inspiration. It is a nostalgic return to romance: lace, frills, and decorative details, as well as quality craftsmanship. Apart from classic elements, decorative prints are widely used and the popularity of vintage style continues. Mixing coarsely textured and very delicate lace fabrics is typical; luxurious jacquards, lurex, and anything which appears noble and old-fashioned will find its way into fashion. Velvet is making a great comeback, even in extravagant pastel and neon colours. Tiny floral patterns in unusual colour combinations, such as pink and green, will contribute to creating a retro atmosphere. Art nouveau, art deco, and oriental or Japanese style are becoming an inspiration. A new silhouette can be created by loose dresses or tunics worn with fitted bell-bottom trousers; this can be accompanied, for example, by a fur vest. Nostalgia will be apparent in footwear as well – in low boots with massive heels, decorated with buckles, ribbons, sequin, or even lace. Noticeable bijouterie will be retro as well – ornate brooches, buckles, rings, or asymmetric earrings.

The fashion industry is, according to Ellen Haeser, increasingly focused on consumers from the strong post-war generation, and Czech retailers should proceed the same way because focusing only on young customers is a mistake. People over fifty years of age will soon become a half of Europe’s population; they represent a significant economic force and are willing to invest in their clothes. Unlike in the past, today’s fifty and sixty-year-olds don’t want to look conservative, and they often have their unique, distinctive styles which are not afraid of using colours. They, too, should be targeted by the trend of bold colours and graphic prints inspired by cubism. Contrasting blocks of colour appear on sweaters, trousers, and handbags, too. Particular shades include mainly brown, which can be combined with white, cream, blue, and other colours. The colour of the year, according to Ellen Haeser, will be green, especially in its rich and vibrant shades. Red, from pastel to deep burgundy shades, will be an important colour, too, as well as pink, and blue in ageless denim shades. Cuts will emphasise the comfort of the wearer, coats will be in maxi lengths, sweaters will be spacious, and tunics and long shirts will be worn over trousers. Wrap skirts are making a comeback, and trousers will become wider from the knees downward or, in the case of flowy tracksuit pants, they will be fitted at the ankles. Shirring at the waist and using ribbons instead of belts will be typical.

Men’s fashion for the next autumn and winter draws its inspiration from the past as well, mainly from the 1970s. Olive green will be the key colour of the season; other important colours include grey, burgundy, brick-red, honey, chocolate brown, white smoke, and, for more adventurous types, pink and fiery red. “New luxury” is a new trend, mixing classic formal clothes with leisurewear and sporty designs. Clothes made from natural materials and fabrics will surprise with genuinely sporty elements, such as hoods, zippers, or big and noticeable pockets. Coats and jackets tend to be larger in volume, trouser lengths are getting shorter, and shirt collars are becoming smaller and rounder. Vests are getting popular again, and they will find their place in both formal and leisurewear clothes. Similarly to women’s fashion, new colour combinations, prints, and lettering, which give the clothes uniqueness, will play a big part in men’s fashion.

The conclusion of the seminar belonged to a fashion show of eleven models which were chosen by Ellen Haeser from collections of exhibitors presented at the STYL SHOW fashion shows. The models illustrated the emerging trends in women’s fashion: it was, for example, a black and white tunic made from a flowy material with contrasting pockets, a long double-breasted coat, a romantic ruffled dress of a classic cut with tiny floral prints, or a pink lace suit in 1950s style.