Whilst we’re all about preaching and teaching the benefits of a capsule wardrobe of classics, investing in a ‘right here, right now’ trend piece can breathe new life into your everyday essentials. Should you be on the fence about whether what’s caught your eye is a high street hero or fashion flash in the pan, read on – we’ve edited the top five trend pieces that go the distance this season and beyond.
The Off-The-Shoulder Neckline
Oh hello, collarbones! There’s a reason why this silhouette has stuck around since the ‘50s – it hits the exact sweet spot between flirtatious and sexy in the most inadvertent way. For the hourglass or pear shapes among us, stick to dresses so as not to bypass your waistline (Scarlett Johansson is the perfect modern pin-up to reference for this) – you don’t want to swamp your shape, so belt away should your options sit more on the billowy side. Flouncy separates sit best on narrow to athletic shapes, so pair it back with a streamlined skirt or trouser so you’re not adding bulk (volume on top of volume gets a little hard to control). A flounced sleeve is perfect for those of us who’d prefer to conceal our upper arms, too. To accessorise, make the most of your shoulder expose with a jaw-grazing statement earring.
Veronika Maine off the shoulder dress, $249, veronikamaine.com.au
Witchery Cold Shoulder tunic, $99.95, witchery.com.au
Samantha Wills Jasmine & Fleetwood rose gold drop earrings, $189, samanthawills.com
ASOS black leather Obi waist belt, $40, asos.com.au
The Frilly Wrap Dress
Bambi Northwood-Blyth’s all over it, Nicole Trunifo owns it in multiple colourways, Jess Gomes breezes around it in on the regular – a slew of supermodels can’t be wrong, right? Before you eschew this silhouette as solely a model off-duty staple, look again: the ruffle has been reborn from its somewhat tragic eighties past into the silhouette du jour this summer via the ¾ sleeve wrap dress (namely: the Alexandra dress by Realisation Par). Turn on the charm in a waist-cinching, curve-enhancing number – as the wrap dress is a universally flattering shape, it welcomes all figures with open arms. Let the frill have all the drama and accessorise simply in clean, neutral tones to keep the mood flirtatious, not frou-frou.
Realisation Par Alexandra dress, approx. $258.53, realisationpar.com
Zimmermann Adorn ruffle wrap dress, $795, zimmermannwear.com.
Tony Bianco Harpoon sandals, $139.95, tonybianco.com.au
The Slip Dress
Not only reserved for the bedroom, the slip dress has stepped out of the boudoir and onto the streets. The epitome of nineties minimalism, thinking barely there is key to modernizing it for now – a wrap sandal or heel and thin, wispy jewels let the simplicity shine.
Should a spaghetti strap prove a nightmare within your underpinnings, layer over a white t-shirt or shirt, or pair a lightweight knit over the top belted to keep that waist in check. Equally, if you’re finding the slip a little iffy at first, it’s worth bearing in mind a slip dress cut on the bias gives a beautiful drape but like denim takes a few wears to properly get in the groove – it’ll take a few wears to really settle into its shape.
Country Road lace detail slip dress, $229, countryroad.com.au
Vince bias cut slip dress, $333, matchesfashion.com.
The Mode Collective lace-up point heel, $269, themodecollective.com.
The Romper
The more practical sister to the mini dress, the romper is summer’s most activity-friendly piece in silhouettes that run a dime a dozen. Whatever your preference, there’s a few ground rules to keep in mind – if your shoulders are on show in a slip-style top it’s best to run a little longer in the hem length-wise (think a loose culotte-esque bottom), or vice versa; a longer sleeve will balance out a bit of leg on show. Dress it down for day in a pointed flat or casual crisp white sneaker, then vamp it up for night in a weighty heel and evening clutch (a simple silhouette can carry a family of statement accessories).
J.Crew tie front cotton playsuit, $131, net-a-porter.com
Witchery double breasted playsuit, $179.95, witchery.com.au
Mollini Mimi heels, $199.95, wantedshoes.com.au
The Bomber Jacket
Despite all its Top Gun connotations, the bomber jacket is making a play as the transeasonal jacket of 2016. We’ve seen it play out through winter in a military persona, but summer is a whole new disguise altogether – think of it as a slightly sportier option within your warmer weather outerwear.
Try a neutral option over your shift dresses with a low block heel for day, or black for evening over other textured fabrics (like lace, suede or leather) for a tactile take on after dark.
Zara silk bomber, $89.95, (02) 9376 7600
Equipment Abbot silk bomber jacket, $348, saksfifthavenue.com
ASOS ruffle shift dress, $59, asos.com.au
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