As morning mists roll in, night begins far too early, and temperatures (at least at the beginning and end of the day) drop, thoughts turn to new clothes. What better excuse do you need to review what’s in the wardrobe, what’s to be rejected from last autumn/winter, and what’s needed/wanted for the new season.
As ever, anything goes, and the best fashion advisers will tell you to follow your own style, but if we follow overseas trends, and if we believe the Pantone Color and its Pantone Fashion Color Trend Report, in-store you’re likely to see the usual winter and autumnal hues with bold accents of vibrant colours: deep or bright reds, bright blue, spicy yellow (almost mustard), event deep ultraviolet – and more. Seems anything goes, really, when it comes to colour.
As for styles, watch out for bright and elegantly tailored monochromatic pant suits; skirts of any length; layering, animal prints; beanies and berets; plaids in edgy colours for anything from coats to trousers, jackets to tops or skirts…. You name it, again, just about anything goes.
The key is to follow your heart – and don’t let anyone else dictate what you love to wear!
As the time arrives to be assessing our winter wardrobes, we thought we'd find out about the fashion favourites of some of our stylish Shore people...
Jude Turner is the super-stylish owner of cravehome in Birkenhead.
Channel Magazine: What is the favourite piece of clothing that you've ever owned?
Jude Turner: Hmm, my accessories seem to last longer than my clothing! I still have and wear my wedding shoes, as well as a pair of Italian snakeskin loafers I bought on our honeymoon 21 years ago. My most cherished piece in my wardrobe is my Chanel purse, which was a 40th birthday gift from my husband. And clothing? A beautiful black Guipere lace dress from Trelise Cooper that I wore the night cravehome won the 2012 Top Shop award.
CM: Describe your style in three words.
JT: Current, classic and considered.
CM: Which item in your current wardrobe are you wearing the most?
JT: My Tidal pants from Moochi in Milford, I have so many pairs in different colours! They’re my absolute go-to pant for work.
CM: Who is your ultimate style icon?
JT: I love Cate Blanchett – whether she’s on the red carpet or at a restaurant, I think she’s always beautifully put together and just nails it every time.
CM: What is your favourite fashion decade / era?
JT: I’m really enjoying fashion now – the “rules” that I grew up with have blurred and I love the freedom of being able to dress the way I want and for how I feel, not for convention.
CM: If you could add any one piece to your wardrobe what would it be?
JT: I am mad keen on the Miki coat from Ricochet for this winter.
Ever beautifully-dressed Biddie Cooksley is the owner of Tuesday in Milford Shopping Centre.
Channel Magazine: What is your all-time favourite piece of clothing?
Biddie Cooksley: My ivory silk and hand-beaded wedding dress.
CM: Describe your style in three words.
BC: Polished, elevated-casual.
CM: Which item in your current wardrobe are you wearing the most at present?
BC: I've lived in our soft suiting pants and overcoats through autumn. Over winter I'll thrash our plaid check blazer and faux fur coats with jeans.
CM: Who is your ultimate style icon?
BC: Alexa Chung. I love how she flits between British prep, Parisian chic and California cool - all with her signature winged eye-liner and messy bed-hair.
CM: Which decade / era is your favourite for fashion?
BC: I'm always drawn to the '70s. Big hair, big shoes, embroidery and floaty dresses. It seemed to have such a sense of freedom.
CM: If you could add any one piece of clothing to your wardrobe what would it be?
BC: A giant haute-couture princess dress from Chanel!
Alana Crookenden is the very stylish manager of Magazine Clothing In Takapuna
CM: What is your all-time favourite piece of clothing?
Alana Crookenden: I've always favoured quality over quantity. My favourite piece of clothing is a beautiful tapestry coat I purchased about 10 years ago. It was love at first sight. It has a permanent spot in my ever- changing wardrobe and I still wear it to this day. If you buy what you love there are never any regrets!
CM: Describe your style in three words.
AC: Eclectic, functional and feminine
CM: Which item in your current wardrobe are you wearing most at present?
AC: I rotate my basic Cashews and Understudy pieces with new fashion pieces regularly. If I had to pick a favourite right now it would be my Chocolat Leather Leggings, warm practical and always in style! You need these, come and see me for a pair!
CM: Who is your ultimate style icon?
AC: Definitely Iris Apfel.
CM: Which decade or era is your favourite for fashion?
AC: Little bit of 1960s, a dash of 1980s and a sprinkle of today!
CM: If you could add any one piece of clothing to your wardrobe what would it be?
AC: Working for Magazine and being surrounded by beautiful garments each and every day means I am constantly being tempted with stunning new pieces. My latest garment obsessions have been the Euphoria Index Dress and the Chocolat Amira Shirt. Timeless, trendy and a whole lot of style!
Grae Burton is the eclectically fashionable manager of the Lake House Arts Centre in Takapuna. His style always stands out.
CM: What is your all-time favourite piece of clothing?
Grae Burton: My possum wool hat.
CM: Describe your style in three words.
GB: Eccentric, mix’n’match, colourful
CM: Which item in your current wardrobe are you wearing the most at present?
GB: Usually my boots. I have blue canvas Doc Martins with brown suede and Black and White Kicks.
CM: Who is your ultimate style icon?
GB: Tom Ford, fashion and film making.
CM: Which decade / era is your favourite for fashion?
GB: I love a sharp suit from any era. Seventies colour and extremity reigns supreme though.
CM: If you could add any one piece of clothing to your wardrobe what would it be?
GB: The scarf from the Tom Baker Doctor Who era!
Stephanie King of Painted Bird lives and breathes vintage fashion.
CM: What is your all-time favourite piece of clothing?
Stephanie King: I love all the pieces I have and much to my wonderful husband’s dismay, I rarely cull any of my collection! If made to choose, I do however, have a special place for a cream wool sleeveless top. It is encrusted with diamantes and was a gift from one of the collectors overseas that I deal with. Whenever I wear it I feel a ‘million bucks’ and am reminded of the generosity and kindness offered when dealing with passionate people who want you to succeed. She reckons I can have the skirt when she finds it!
CM: Describe your style in three words.
SK: Classic, eclectic and quirky.
CM: Which item in your current wardrobe are you wearing the most at present?
SK: Again, so hard, I believe all the art should be given an outing. I wear authentic Japanese kimono a lot though. I have eight in a variety of colours. They work well with most outfits and are just the right amount of cover for our changeable weather. They go from casual to elegance so easily. Every time I bring new ones into the store it is so hard not to choose... just… one… more….
CM: Who is your ultimate style icon?
SK: At the moment it is Giovanna Battaglia (Bat-Gio). She has a wonderful eclectic style and incorporates her vintages pieces regularly. She is changeable and colourful in her looks – not limited. She uses fashion rather than fashion using her and doesn’t seem dictated by trends. Her style is: all things she loves, and that resonates well with me. I love to help people to learn to express individuality through fashion and I think she is a great example. Sometimes, we just have to find someone to help us with that starting point.
CM: Which decade / era is your favourite for fashion?
SK: In my opinion, for this century, the ’60s and ’70s were the most indicative of societal change in fashion and they suit my shape and my colouring. The mix of the best fashions from previous eras and the evolving of self-expression through fashion is fascinating to me. A beginning of change and acceptance of so many things in our world in such a small timeframe, I think, is really represented in those eras.
CM: If you could add any one piece of clothing to your wardrobe what would it be?
SK: I would add a Marabou jacket, wrap or coat – whatever! It just screams ‘old Hollywood’ and decadent elegance. I am keeping my eyes peeled…
