I am not a trend follower. I tried to be, for about 5 minutes when I started this blog, but gave up quickly. It’s just not in me. I’ve started getting the runway collection edition of French Vogue this year, but mostly to get inspiration for how to put new spins on my clothes within the parameters of my own style. In other words, trends are relevant to me only to the extent that they represent a cool new twist on how I (already) dress. With that perspective in mind, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at what the fashion industry has decided are the trends for Fall 2019, and see what might work for me and what won’t.

I pulled up 3 different lists – the first 3 that popped up when I searched “fall 2019 runway trends” on Google – because I was committed to this project, but only to a point. There’s some overlap between the lists but they also diverge. If the industry can’t agree on what the trends are, I’m not doing the work for them. I will assume these 3 represent a sufficiently diverse cross-section of opinions. Let’s get started!

Harpers Bazaar

1) 80s power suits – I am intrigued by this trend, and 80s revival in general, although I don’t like the big shoulders. I have broad shoulders already and sharp, pointy tailoring makes me feel like the Hulk. I do like the looser, more masculine fit of 80s blazers so I will be keeping an eye out at the thrift store for pieces with which I can experiment.

2) 70s chic – they called this “bougie girl” which doesn’t mean anything to me. If anything, this stuff looks like what a professional working woman might have worn in the 70s: sensible skirt, ladylike blouse, jacket. I love midi skirts, so that’s what I’m going to pull from this inspo. But I will take a skim turtleneck over a pussy-bow blouse every day of the week.

3) Neon – no thanks.

4) English tweed – I love tweed but is this really a 2019 trend? Has tweed ever NOT been in style in the last 5 years? I have a few pieces in my closet that I will put back in rotation come September (as I do every year), and I’ll keep an out for more – particularly vintage ones.

5) Dark florals – again, not really a trend but I’m always on board with this.

6) Military inspired – I am paraphrasing Harpers’ cutesy description, but this is a “naw” for me. Military stuff doesn’t really fit any of my style avatars, and I have learned to stay away.

7) Leopard – I was not surprised to see this on the list, because I’ve seen it all over my social media already. Not interested.

8) Metallics – Normally, I would pass on this but I just thrifted a pair of metallic pants so now … I am open to experimenting. I also would like to find a metallic pleated midi skirt (saw one at Winners recently but it was garbage quality) which would be a cool update for some of my boho/goth looks.

9) Utility/Things with pockets – paraphrasing again. This could be relevant to my Adventurer style avatar, but I haven’t been using that as much lately, so I don’t think it’s worth investing in new pieces here. I have, like, one existing item that fits this trend and it’s a summer piece.

10) Lace – I think the trend here is to juxtapose lace with “tougher” elements, like goth, punk or grunge styles. Personally, it’s “no” to all-over lace, but “yes” to lace accents. I have a few pieces I could use, and I will try to incorporate them into my Corporate Noir outfits.

Who What Wear

1) Head to toe Pistachio – No. I have nothing against this colour, but I prefer celadon. I would not go out of my way to buy pieces in this colour, certainly not enough to make a complete outfit.

2) Romance gone grunge – see my comments about lace above. I’m into this. Like, I’m imagining a Miss Havisham who decides to go badass instead of mad.

3) Layering knits – I love knits, I love layering. Who knew I was such a trendsetter?

4) Bright tights – This is another pass for me. I think it’s a cute look, but it doesn’t feel right on me. I only ever wear black opaque tights or “nude” nylons.

5) Period inspo – I’m into this, albeit not the giant ruffles (I wish, but not practical for my life) and corsets shown on the runway. My favourite period inspo is “vaguely Edwardian”.

6) Quilting – only if required by practical necessity.

7) Classics with a twist – honestly, who even knows what this means except “here, we adjusted the lapels on this expensive trench coat, can you please buy it even though you already have a perfectly good trench coat at home”?

8) Night at the museum – I take this means art-inspired prints. I’m not opposed to this in principle, but as a trend, I think it’s gimmicky.

9) Metallics – see above.

Elle

1) Small bags – I love my small, basic crossbody bags for weekends, but I’m guessing that’s not what this trend is about. Generally speaking, I don’t see the point of spending gobs of money on tiny purses that don’t even fit your wallet, but I am not judging you if you do.

2) Milleanial purple – First of all, oof. Why is everything “millennial” now? Second, the photos they used to illustrate this trend showed colours ranging from deep royal purple, to orchid, to lavender. What the hell is that? Does “millennial” stand in for “don’t know what this shade is actually called”? Anyway, purple is fine. It’s part of my wardrobe colour palette, so I buy it whenever I come across it at the thrift store in a piece that otherwise works for me.

3) Capes – HELL YES! I am actively on the hunt for capes.

4) Feathers – No. Not practical for my life, can’t be bothered to handle the laundering responsibilities. I saw a GORGEOUS feather Boss skirt at Vespucci in Calgary and passed on it, twice, for that reason.

5) Belted blazers – I find this interesting. This used to be a look back in, oh, 2012 or so? I think we did skinny belts back then, and now the belts look to be sturdier but same, same, yeah? I am definitely going to be exploring this with pieces I already own.

6) Satin – Maybe. Head to toe is not practical for most of my day-to-day, but I would be open to exploring it in the context of my Artist/Bohemian persona. Satin has a very distinctive look and texture, which can provide a nice contrast to some of my fave materials, like leather and wool.

7) Slashed asymmetrical necklines – I like asymmetry in my clothing, so I guess I might be accidentally on trend again.

8) Ren-Faire – I think this is basically the “period inspo” influence at work. I’m down with it, but only to the extent it fits with my preferred aesthetic. So, like, the Dark Side of Ren Faire, not the milkmaid side.

9) Long coats – Coats are an investment, so I wouldn’t let trends dictate my purchases here. That being said, long coats are pretty classic (they will go in and out of trendiness constantly) so if I find one at the thrift store, I won’t say no if the price is right.

10) Statement hats – Pass. I like them in principle, but I never wear hats (except my fedora in the summer, for practical reasons).

11) Quilting – see above.

12) Fleecy jackets – No. I don’t spend enough time outdoors to need this, nor am I outdoorsy enough in my style to want this.

13) Prep school – I mean, honestly? Isn’t this about as groundbreaking as florals for spring? A masculine take on “prep school” works with my Prince persona, so that’s what I usually go with.

14) Metallics – Ok, Ok, we get it: everyone agrees this is a TREND. Duly noted.

15) 80s Power suits – ditto.

How about you? What Fall 2019 trends are you excited about? What trends are you giving a pass? How many more times can I say “trend” before it loses all meaning? Tell me everything in the comments.

Stealth Cape

I enjoy the drama of a cape. Not the most practical item of clothing, maybe, but there is something deeply satisfying about the feeling of fabric swishing behind you as you walk. Just writing that out makes me think that I need more capes in my life. This outfit doesn’t feature one, technically, but it kinda does. I would call this top the diet Coke version of a cape – not really the same thing, but satisfying in its own way. I say that as a ride-or-die Diet Coke drinker, though, so YMMV. Bottom line: stealth cape is cool. The end.

Notes: Melanie Lynn top (thrifted, $6): Aritzia pants (thrifted, $8); Rafael necklace (secondhand, $126); J. Crew shoes (retail, $80).

Low Key Goth

There is a low key goth(ic) vibe happening here, yes? No? Maybe? And by that I mean, a heroine in a modern day gothic novel might wear this; maybe she’s a witch in hiding working as a librarian at a venerable university, I don’t know, I haven’t really though about it. Too much. [No, I have not read A Discovery of Witches. Maybe I should.] Anyway, let’s talk about my skirt. It’s some brand I’ve never heard of (Nico Ashley, anyone?) and it doesn’t feel particularly luxe – just average mall quality – but the draping is very interesting. It has a kind of Vivienne Westwood feel, which I adore. I have yet to thrift Vivienne Westwood. I will settle for this skirt, for now.

Notes: Moth vest (thrifted, $7); Nico Ashley skirt (thrifted, $6.50); Rafael necklace (eBay, $80); Napoleoni shoes (thrifted, $6).

Two Takes

I wore these outfits back-to-back, fully realizing that they are about 2/3 the same. Same jacket, same shoes; swapped dress for pants. It almost makes me think that I could pull off a (true) capsule wardrobe. But I know myself well enough to realize that’s not actually true. I get bored with clothes so easily. The only reason this jacket has been in my closet since, oh, 2016-ish is because I have so many other clothes that I don’t have the opportunity to get bored with this one. All the more reason to be committed to secondhand fashion.

Notes: Left: J. Crew top (thrifted, $6); Tabitha blazer (thrifted, $8), Aritzia pants (thrifted, $6), Jeffrey Campbell shoes (thrifted, $10) // Right: Pringle of Scotland dress (thrifted, $8.50); necklace (thrifted, $3.50?), Marc by Marc Jacobs bag (thrifted, $20).

When I started my first professional job, the “power suit” was a thing. It may still be, for all I know, but my suit-wearing days are, thankfully, behind me. The concept of a “power outfit” has stayed with me, though. What is that, you might ask?

For me, a Power Outfit is what you put on when you want to feel powerful, confident, kickass. It’s the outfit that makes you feel like you can take on any challenge, succeed without breaking a sweat and looking like a million bucks in the process. It’s a stylish battle armor.

For the last few years, my go-to Power Outfit was this one:

I’ve worn this to important public speaking engagements, hearings, the first day at my new job, and the list goes on. I’m not sure, precisely, what made it so powerful in my eyes, but I do know that it was one of the outfits that bridged the gap between my old style and the new. It’s quite a Princely outfit, long before I had any concept of the Prince. Classic and polished enough to be suitable for a variety of (professional) occasions, but with enough interesting details to feel fresh and fun to wear.

Lately, I’ve been wearing pants less frequently (in part for health-related reasons) and this outfit hasn’t seen the light of day in some months. Thinking about what I enjoy and feel comfortable wearing these days, I realized that the time may have come for a new Power Outfit. There were a few contenders:

This Dries van Noten dress is one of my favourites, and it’s beautiful and comfortable and work-appropriate. Close, but no cigar. While I feel great in it, its vibe is Bohemian, not Princely. The floral print is more romantic than bold, and softened by the silk ruffle at the bottom.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, and far closer to Machiavellian, is this combo. I love the silhouette, the texture contrasts, the Corporate Noir feel. But as much as I adore the faux leather crop top, it might be a bit too edgy for some occasions.

I feel like this is getting warmer, though perhaps it errs a little too far in a conservative direction. You guys know how much I love me a turtleneck and any outfit with some good architectural lines. Speaking of which …

My quest for a new Power Outfit recently came to a sudden end. Friends, let me introduce you to The Dress:

Pictures do not do justice to this Issey Miyake stunner. It’s architectural in all the right ways – it has interesting lines without being constrictive, feels and moves like a dream. In fact, it looks better in motion than still. If it stands out in a crowd, it’s all thanks to impeccable tailoring, because there is not one gaudy or look-at-me detail anywhere. I can wear it on its own, or paired with any number of toppers from my closet. I can wear it with heels or flats. I can wear it pretty much anywhere.

Power Outfit.