How do you fudge wearing swathes of volume without feeling like you're drowning in fabric? In a season that is focusing heavily on a sort of nonchalant, just-threw-this-old-thing-on kind of voluminous wear, the opportunity is ripe to play around with the exaggerated shapes and details on offer from now until well throughout winter. Big coats, cardigans and jumpers are joined by this season's best oversized dresses and pants.
As new-season deliveries gradually begin to trickle in, keep a lookout for easy and comfortable fabrics on pieces that envelop, particularly knitwear. Recent pre-fall collections focused heavily on oversized jumpers over pleated skirts and wool versions of summer's breezy palazzo pants worn with flat pointed brogues.
For those unwilling to venture into that territory, there's a wide selection of easy tunic dresses that work well with a smart shoe or the myriad ankle and knee-high boots on offer right now - a look that plays on that oversized memo but is still polished enough to wear to work. (If in doubt, just add a belt to balance out the bulk.) For the weekend, there are plenty of local knitwear brands (Marle, Standard Issue, Caroline Sills) delivering oversized knit cardigans that team well with jeans.
The volume memo extends not only to separate pieces but detailing. This Maurie & Eve shirt for example plays on the classic white staple with a point of difference, featuring a voluminous bandeau around the bust that works well with a pair of slick pants for a fresh take on special occasion dressing. It's a design statement which, while it might seem left of field for most, is a great way to add some volume without being overwhelmed.
