The FW18 Trend Report

From Miu Miu to Stella McCartney, your favorite labels are offering up all the joys of cozy country casuals – plaid, tweed and, best of all, chunky knits – with added fashion flair and new-season appeal. The checked blazer shows no sign of disappearing anytime soon: wear yours with a contrasting skirt or pants and a ribbed turtleneck. To finish, block-heeled boots are a stylishly practical, work-appropriate choice, but a pair of crystal-topped kitten heels will really elevate all those hardworking fabrics.

Judging by the blanket coverage on the runways, leather is set to take over your closet in the coming months. With so many stylish separates to choose from, we fully advocate a top-to-toe approach, but outerwear is the real hero of this trend. If you want to go full Matrix, there’s a smorgasbord of black trenches and coats to choose from; for those who prefer a lighter touch, there are plentiful offerings in neutral and colorful shades, too.

From Givenchy to Victoria Beckham, fashion’s biggest names have reignited their love for all things animal print. If you only buy one item to tap into the trend, make it a statement coat: leopard is the most obvious choice, but snake is a surprisingly chic option, too, especially when worn with a white tee and indigo denim. To really make an impact, double-up with a contrasting pair of animal-print shoes – the more ’80s-inspired and extravagant, the better.

Last season’s obsession with off-kilter colors and unexpected tonal pairings has evolved. Yes, you can still wear them head to toe if you see fit, but if that’s outside of your sartorial comfort zone then you’ll be relieved to hear that the most on-point way to wear color right now – as decreed by Tibi, Acne Studios and more – is understated and elevated. Keep things simple by choosing one block-color piece and layering it with fail-safe wardrobe classics in neutral shades.

Any woman wondering how to get dressed without the forward-thinking, easy sophistication that was so expertly honed by the now-exited Phoebe Philo at Céline can rest easy: designers across the board have stepped up to bat. This trend hinges around reinvented and reimagined staples, from cleverly cut separates to tailoring peppered with unexpected details. It’s ladylike through and through, which isn’t to say it has to be too prim and proper; mix some box-fresh, verging-on-ugly sneakers into the look to give it a modern, relaxed feel.

This chic decade is one of fashion’s favorite reference points; this time around, the focus is on color, pattern and print, rather than shape. The ’70s palette, all rich shades of burgundy, blue, green and yellow, is perfect for autumnal months. Look for interesting textures and zero-in on anything corduroy, which is fast shaping up to be the fabric of the season. Pull it all together with oversized shades and modern, ladylike accessories to firmly ground it in the current mood.