I'm Anti-Trend, But These New-In Pieces Work With My Classic Capsule Wardrobe

When I was a teen, I was besotted with the runway and a stickler for fashion forecasts. Perhaps it was one too many re-runs of The Hills, but I became fixated on the artistry of designers and used that to dictate my fashion choices. Marvelling at designer creations taking place centre stage became my favourite pastime and although that piece hasn’t changed, my shopping habits certainly have.

As I became more attuned to my personal style and a more conscious shopper, I noticed a discrepancy between the trends that were showing up and the way I preferred to dress in day-to-day life, so in time I separated my affinity for the runway from my personal style.

Nowadays, I report on trends and it’s not too often that I buy into them, as I’m more discerning about the clothing I acquire. This season, however, the trends are speaking to me as many of the influences coincide with my pre-existing collection. Therefore it's allowing me to celebrate my personal style and invest in cuts that have served me well over the past decade.

Although I consider the way I acquire clothing under the umbrella of a capsule wardrobe, my style is nuanced. There are varied influences—from a Parisian essence to a bohemian and modern lilt. Therefore, I’m extracting the pieces I most admire from the trend pool, be it sweeping coats, pearlescent jewels or slouched boots.

This season, there’s a catalogue of trends to take our fancy—from bold statements, inspired by Haute Couture, to the subdued ready-to-wear runways and micro trends. Take denim, for example, it feels inherently Parisian. The same goes for full skirts, which my love of never diminishes and maxi length styles that are no longer solely associated with light cotton voiles worn whilst holidaying. Now the offerings are grown-up, floor-sweeping coats.

Keep scrolling for some autumn/winter 2023 trends that will slot seamlessly into a capsule wardrobe. From denim to column skirting, many pieces have a timeless appeal. If you’re a conscious shopper like me, these styles have my stamp of approval. They just so happen to be on-trend.

We saw the reintroduction of the bandeau silhouette last year and its prevalence lives on in the styles we're continuing to see for this winter. As a person who rarely wears miniskirts, I adore décolletage-bearing clothing like bandeau tops and dresses instead. I'm particularly enjoying the juxtaposition between sculpted buster details with wafty fabrics, as it offers a romantic element. The options for 2023 are aplenty, whether you're looking for a light-hued bandeau top or something entirely whimsical for an evening event.

The double-denim look has garnered fans over the years and served us with iconic pop culture moments and major celeb kudos. This is intriguing considering denim is perhaps the most simple fabrication that we likely all possess in our midst. You may have seen the colloquial term 'Canadian Tuxedo' flying around this year: it refers to full denim looks, which were once deemed inappropriate but now we can't get enough. I'm enjoying the rigid offerings composed of 100% cotton, in hues that air on the side of indigo, as it has a richer, vintage (and not to mention timeless) element. This season, I'll be offsetting double-denim looks with slingback heels and gold jewels aplenty, to tie in with my personal style.

Many moons ago I become obsessed with the '50s style fit and flare, so the pronounced skirt trend has a nostalgic appeal. Although I'm a minimalist (in terms of my clothing acquirements) my capsule doesn't just consist of svelte shapes. I also enjoy exaggerated shaping in neutral colourways.

From on-the-knee skirts to free-flowing maxi dresses, sweeping styles are dominating. Extended hemlines have been part of my capsule for a decade and nine times out of ten you'll find me in some form of midi or maxi. Although it may be an unconventional way of dressing for someone with a petite frame, I don't ascribe to the notion of flattery. I appreciate excess fabrics and their ability to make us feel emboldened.

I'm sure we'll all agree that pearls are timeless. They've taken centre stage over the past few seasons and it's a trend I favour. Everyone who knows me will know that pearls are part of my uniform. What I love most about the newer releases is that they're less regal in appeal. Instead, they come in jaunty, organic shapes, and are juxtaposed with metals for a modern lift.

It's been some time since we witnessed the resurgence of noughties-inspired illusion frocks by the likes of Totême, Jacquemus and Maison Margiela. It may seem like a contemporary design but it dates back to the '90s and Jean Paul Gaultier's cult barely-there dresses. Although I'm not accustomed to mesh dresses, I appreciate sheer textures in doses and with clever placement. Tulle, organza styles and overlays (especially on the arms) are designs I appreciate for eveningwear.

Although knee-high boots are a seasonal trend, the forecast is championing them in a big way this season, particularly slouched iterations. According the the runway, the taller and pointer the better.

I may be a dress girl but I'm so inspired by menswear this season and the introduction of sweeping coats. Penn Badgley's trendy Paris Fashion Week outfit was so suave. He demonstrated how to pair a maxi coat with typically feminine styles.

Up Next: 8 Major Dress Trends That Will Be Everywhere This Autumn 

Opening image: @_marisamartins_

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.