Need help planning your winter wardrobe? You have seen the trends, you know what’s hot but what items do you actually really need to buy? What items should you really invest in? Never Fear FiFi is here. With an eye on the big trends for next winter let me present the key pieces for winter. In these tough economic times you need to be strategic with your shopping. These are the essential items of the season whatever age and whatever budget.
Stay tuned for best accessories next week !
What: The seriously sharp shouldered tailored Jacket
Which: If you have been living under your Missoni blanket (or just new to The FiFi Report) you might not know the big news of the season: shoulder pads are baaack. Stop the screaming: pick yourself up off the floor. Put down the paper bag. Wine back in the fridge. Shoulder pads are your new friends and you will learn to love them. Because this time around they are sharp and seriously tailored. A jacket with this new and exciting all important shoulder detail is all you need to buy. Look for anything with pronounced shoulders. You want it in classic black, navy or grey. I am scared of a bright coloured jacket with shoulder pads. Go for gabardine, wool, velvet, leather or stretchy cotton. It could be a tuxedo style jacket. It can be double breasted or single. It should be fitted, and a little cropped and stop just below your muffin top.
Why: Because every couple of years there is a new change in the silhouette. And we haven’t seen a defined shoulder since you were born. Because it’s time to say good bye to loose, baggy look… Because a sharp shouldered jacket will do incredible things to your waist. It will make your hips look smaller. Because this piece will INSTANTLY! (faster than twitter) update everything you own. Because it’s so totally versatile. Because it’s thrifty to invest in the beginning of a trend. Buy now and get years of wear. Because it’s so hot and fabulous, it’s sick.
Wear: With everything. It will love to be seen with all your clothes. Even the daggy ones. Wear with your favourite peg leg harem pants and a simple tank. Slip it over a pretty BoHo luxe floral dress. Love it with skinny black jeans. Wear it over a statement LBD. Ad structure to a flirty skirt. Wear over a bright Body Con mini 80’s dress. Wear with your new Lanvin chain strap shoulder bag: it will now stay put (and not keep sliding off your shoulder). Add your favourite Monster heels… and skip out the door.
Where:
First: Balmain, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Nina Ricci, Burberry.
Business: Willow, Country Road, Scanlan and Theodore, Bettina Liano, Max and Co.
Economy: Witchery, Sportsgirl, Cue, Mango, Cotton on, French Connection.
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What: The Fake Fur Vest
Which: Another item to instantly update your wardrobe. You want a Fur vest this season that is probably Faux. (I’m not sure what I think about real fur.) Keep the shape simple. You want an easy shape and no crazy accoutrement like studs, straps or glitter. Ewww. Scary Hairy Maclairy. It might not even have buttons. You want dark colours like black or brown. But if your name is Pink then you are allowed to wear pink. Shorter is probably better: too long and someone from PETA will throw paint at you. Too long and you might look like the black sheep of the family.
Why: Because it’s perfect for trans-seasonal weather: We don’t need full length fur coats here. Because it’s all about a Talitha Getty and Miss Haute Hippy of the Jet Set look. Because we love a bit of Shag-a-delic. Because this little piece of furry glamour will add sexiness to any old daggy thing you throw at it. Recessionistas rejoice: you don’t need to buy anything else to razz up your wardrobe. Because it doesn’t need ironing. Because no models were hurt in the making of this look.
Wear: This vest will work with your entire wardrobe. Scientific tests have proved it. (This is a guarantee and you can return with a full refund.) Wear this over your poet’s sleeve blouse, with peg leg pants. Over a simple neat knit and with high waist pants. Wear with skinny jeans and your monster heels. Wear this belted over a floral dress, over your LBD, or with a simple knit and jeans. Wear this to chic dinners, to casual weekends away, to breakfast over your silk Dolce & Gabanna Pyjamas. To Bed.
Where:
First: Marni, Prada, lanvin, Rick Owens.
Business: Country Road, Arthur Galan, Scanlan Theodore, Jigsaw.
Economy: Sussan, Wish, Cotton on, Review, Decuba, Forever New.
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What: The statement trouser
Which: Trousers are back big time. Perhaps you didn’t know they ever left? Bless. (Keep reading FiFi and you will be OK.) Once you get them on again you won’t want to take them off (Sorry boys). The good news? There are so many great trousers shapes out there even YOU will find something to suit you. Yes, even you. The hot shape is the cropped peg leg with a high waist. Don’t roll your eyes. They have front pleats a la 80’s and surprisingly this is a flattering cut (and will cover up those almond croissants sitting on hips). Otherwise go for high waist trousers with a wide leg or spray on skinny cigarette leg. They can even have a dropped crutch. Yes, Comfortable. But you can’t go out in public. Go for black and if not black then black: (who wants to draw attention to fat legs?) and go for any fabrics that please you: wool, leather, satin, denim or crepe. You can even call them pants. Tip on length: It’s about showing off your fabulous stomp-a- licious heels so they should stop above or just at the ankle.
Why: Because suddenly trousers look new. Because anything with an YSL 70’s feel looks right. Because you have been wearing dresses for so long you forgot trousers ever existed. Because they work so well with your sharp jacket and your fur vest. Because trousers will effortlessly go from day to night in a switch of a shoes. Because we love table top dressing: keep it simple on the bottom and just change your tops. Because you are so sick of shaving your legs and worrying about your unsightly ankles. Because in winter you like to keep warm.
Wear: The coolest look anywhere would have to be the harem pants back with a sharp shouldered jacket. Just remember that when your trousers are baggy your top should be sharp, and tailored to balance out the shape. There is no need to look like an easter egg. Wear with a fabulous Louis Vuitton Obi belt, wear with a wide stud belt. A short jacket works with high waist pants and shows off your amazing waist and curvy silhouette. Wear with your Killer heels: you want to show them off any chance you get.
Where:
First: YSL, Balmain, Marc Jacobs.
Business: Wayne Cooper, Country Road, Camilla and Marc, Veronika Maine.
Economy: Portmans, Cue, Sportgirl, Kookai, Cotton on.
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What: The statement dress
Which: You want a dress that is grown up and chic. You want a dress that makes a statement. It’s about a strong sculptural shape. It’s not about a loose, sack. It should have a waist. It should be flattering, feminine and show off your figure. It should hit the knee but it can be shorter. Under no circumstances should you wear anything mid shin. (So OUT that length is back in but you don’t need to know that). You want a dress that has long covered sleeves: (on all the runways for next winter). You want a dress that is a standout. It can be luxuriously draped, in a bold bright colour, or in small floral print. It can be in a dramatic print. I don’t wear prints so I will wear a dark colour but in a strong shape. With shoulder details and a bit of swoosh at the hem. Tip: the one shoulder dress will continue to be a big trend next season.
Why: Because it’s fail safe. You can wear it to anytime, anywhere occasion. Office, Opera or out on the weekend. Because it’s timeless. Because we are addicted to the easiness of a dress. Because pretty and feminine will always be on trend. Because you don’t have to think to get dressed. You just throw it on, climb into your shoes, grab your bag and walk out the door. Then run back and put on your undies (Sorry: old FiFi joke but a goodie).
Wear: Under all your winter coats. With black opaques and your Monster vs Alien heels. You can cinch in a pretty dress with a mean stud belt. You can add structure to a drape dress with your favourite sharp jacket. With accessories you can add fabulous chunky cuffs or a jewelled necklace to a simple dress but keep away from outrageous accessories when wearing a print. it’s not Christmas and you are not a tree.
Where:
First: Christopher Kane, Chanel, Balenciaga, Burberry.
Business: Willow, Arthur Galan, Country Road, SABA, Veronika Maine
Economy: Witchery, Sussan, Portmans, Sportsgirl, Target
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What: The Flirty skirt
Which: This season you want a skirt can swooshes and swirls. It should be pretty and feminine. It should be sitting on the knee. It could be narrow and then flip out. It can be in a soft fabric that moves when you walk. It can be in chiffon (and nearly sheer) lace, wool or satin. You want details to make it a little unexpected: a ruffle, pleats, paneled or it could be tiered. It should be in dark colours which makes it versatile and a go to piece every day.
Why: Because your new power sharp shouldered jacket needs a little softening. Because a skirt is a great alternative if you are not a dress person. Because a skirt is a great mix and match item you can have fun with. Because it’s trans-seasonal: wear now with a leather jacket and into summer with a singlet top. Because it’s sweet and flirty. Because you will smile and laugh and no one will ever know you are PMT. And very grumpy.
Wear: With a flirty skirt you need a narrow top to balance out the silhouette. Wear with your new sharp shouldered jacket. (Over a simple white Tee or a simple grey round neck sweater.) Wear with a simple knit and your new faux fur vest. Toss on a long line knit cardigan, belt it in and let your pretty skirt peek out from under it. Wear a flirty skirt with a tough leather bomber jacket to soften it up. Wear with belt to cinch in the waist. Wear with your stomp-a-licious heels or boots.
Where:
First: Burberry, Donna Karan at Myer , Balenciaga.
Business: David Lawrence, Arthur Galan, Jayson Brunsdon, Nicola Finetti.
Economy: Katies, Witchery, Sportsgirl, Cue, Kmart.
TIP: Other wardrobe mainstays: The leather biker jacket, a pretty blouse, a peacoat, a military coat, a sequin top, a jumpsuit.
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