The fall of 2015-16 promises to be a cosy and comfort-driven season. A majority of trends focusing on outerwear indicates that the fashion industry is aligning its trends with the dropping temperatures. If innerwear was transformed to outerwear for spring/summer 2015 runways, winter will play by the opposite rules of a coat being converted into a dress. The balloon silhouette, knitted cape and belted robe coat, unanimously hint at a relaxed and calmer theme whereas, the hybrid skirt provides an amalgamation of slit, wrap and asymmetric trend. The direction of the coming winter will be reflective of more masculine silhouettes with a touch of femininity through fabric manipulation or detailing.
Robe Coat
Leaving pre-fall’s fascination with bulky blanket coats behind, the upcoming fall’s runway will be flooded with the robe coat. The uncomplicated silhouette achieves novelty in different prints and fabrics with it being presented as a fuzzy emerald coat, cinched with a leather belt or featured in oversized plaid checks. One can focus on comfort with fabric belts tightened at waist, keeping the cosy in; otherwise go for exaggeration by opting for lapels in a solid colour-blocked version. Coats that actually keep warm in chilly winter nights are now a mainstream trend, with forgiving lengths and being easily paired with pants, leggings or simply as separates.
Balloon Dress
Traditional in its midi-length and chic in its relaxed bottom, the balloon dress is a 1980’s silhouette that epitomizes sophistication with added comfort. It boasts of a fitted or loose upper bodice with a balloon like shape at the hem which ends right above the knee. While this style can be constructed in lightweight fabrics such as cotton, with cinching at waist and neck, a majority will be inclined towards a structured exterior in silks for a casual look and metallic jacquards for an evening look. Prints on calf length dresses can be stitched for casual daytime purposes or floor length ones with an exaggerated bottom can be adopted for a dramatic collection.
Hybrid Skirt
Hybrid has been the mood of the season and as its application leaves no silhouette, it is most definite that the idea of fusion is the one to be carried forth for a season or two. Fall will see the advent of the deconstructed skirt which takes elements from not only lowers, but in an experimental streak, borrows elements from formal outerwear. The wrap slit skirt of spring will be structured like languid culottes and draped trousers in some cases, and in others, as a trail on roomy shorts. More innovative versions of the wrap skirt, where bondage closures circle the wrap along with a tied version, which bears resemblance with the lower half of an overcoat, offers multiple possibilities to the style.
Coat Dress
Fall will be struck by a wave of long lengths, the rendition of which in ‘winter coats’ will emerge as one of the stronger silhouette categories. Conceived as a solid separate and not a flinging outerwear, designers will seek inspiration from varied design elements – double-breasted and wrap coats making a strong case in point. While most versions skip defining a waist, opting to work with a dropped waist on coat dresses as a clear ode to power dressing, other styles where the waist is rather defined with thick waist belts, will hit the notes on sublime femininity. Masculine lapels and crisp collars flanked by chunky pockets and metallic closures suit the androgynous side of the trend.
Knit Cape
Continuing last year’s fascination with cape coats, designs will transcend to knits for constructing roomy throwovers with a visibly cosy demeanour. While the ones in flat knits have come across as sweater kimonos, in some cases printed, and in others, with thick cable knits-circular knits too make for a promising option. Form-fitting pullovers with an attached shoulder trail or ponchos delivered in blanket fabric ending in tassels, the circular knit styles appeal for their lighter structure and contoured fit. Cardigans have also found a way with the trend as they can be constructed on the lines of long cape coats with sleeves and droopy shoulders.
