Saturday, October 18, 2008

Have a Haute Halloween...

As if we need an excuse to dress up! Halloween is here and it's time to root around in that closet of yours for a stylish get-up which is both camp and sophisticated at once. Sound impossible? Fear not.

It just so happens that AW08 is full to the brim with trends that are couture costume-bound. So grab your gothic black velvets and lace, bohemian folk embroidery and (fake) fur, and heritage tartan and plaid because baby, it's time to play dress-up!

Songstress Stevie Nicks is the perfect poster girl for this season's gothic trend for black. Victoriana blouses, wool capes, velvet coats and lace dresses can be layered with aplomb for the perfect Stevie look. Pair with black lace-up ankle boots and big hair and you've not only got yourself a fashionable costume but a spooky one to boot! Winner.
Almost Famous was surely an inspiration for many designers when they sent Babushka babes down the catwalk for AW08. Penny Lane's fabulous 70s wardrobe of floaty dresses, lace belly tops, denim flares, fur lined boots and sheepskin coats were a hit with Gucci and others for their fall collections. Pop down to your nearest vintage store now or raid your mum's wardrobe for delightfully cosy and carefree costume.
I believe every girl my age is at some level influenced by Clueless in every decision they make, and it seems the designers are no different. Matchy-matchy suits in bubblegum colours? Check. Plaid and tartan? Check. Pleats, boxy cuts and blazers? Totally. Whether you choose to tell people you're a Clueless Betty or Gossip Girl Queen Bee, there's no avoiding these checked suits are totally Baldwin. Psyched.