Style Birmingham

Guest blogger: Holly Ryland-Jones, Marketing Assistant, Bullring

So, autumn is almost here and I for one am very excited to see all the new shapes, textures and styles hitting the shops.  We’ve been lucky enough here at Bullring to take a peek at the collection previews, and we’ve already been swooning over the new looks and compiled our wish lists of key pieces and little treats to freshen up our wardrobes for the season that lies ahead. So I’d like to share with you my favourite pieces for AW10.

The cape coat is the shape to be seen in next season.  And the colour camel.  Camel was seen everywhere on the catwalks, from Chloe to Prada.  The camel coat reigned on the runways, but the cape coat was also a major hit among fashion buyers…
This gorgeous example from Reiss incorporates both trends.

As we well know Jack Frost was present for most of AW09 so we are aware how important it is to invest in key outerwear pieces for the coming season for this year too.  Several types of coat/jacket styles will only suffice if you want to stay on top of the style stakes this Autumn/Winter.

The second key item which no fashionista should be without is a shearling sheepskin jacket.  Burberry ruled the catwalk when it came to their version of this serious statement piece; in aviator form.  For a warmer, more affordable version, get to H&M for their seventies take on the look.  Their overall trend story incorporates many of the seventies elements, you can see a preview of the collection by visiting browsebullring.co.uk.

Next up is the loafer.  Along with fur-lined high-heeled hiking boots, the sensible loafer shoe adorned the feet of the models during shows at the likes of Gucci and Prada.  This prim and proper style takes on elements of the seventies once again and with a generous amount of heel, the shoe is dowdy no more.

Team a pair, we love these from Topshop, with a flared jean or trouser.  High-waisted mannish fitted trousers are the trouser trend of next season.  Flattering to the figure and working wonders to elongate the leg, they can do no wrong.  A figure hugging top will ensure you keep the femininity.

Add a fur hat if you want to introduce fur in bite size pieces.  The one pictured from Whistles is a more affordable way to add the trend to your wardrobe… and furry ear flaps will keep you warm and toasty – fashionable and practical – we don’t get that very often!

Make sure you mix up contrasting textures – traditional fabrics such as suede, fur, cable knit woollens and leather.  Dark sombre tones, berry shades and light browns, camel and beige make up the colour palette.  Detail is at a minimum – it’s a no fuss foot forward into the new season. The overall outdoorsy look focuses heavily on texture, cut and varying tones of key colours.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my round-up of investment buys for the new season…  I will definitely be sporting the above, whilst also investing in a pair of Topshop fur-lined boots, plenty of opaque tights and as I love, love, love the Farah Fawcett look, the flared high-waisted jeans will be a must-have too.

For more information on the latest trends for AW10 and to get the expert opinions on how to wear them head to browsebullring.co.uk.