KEY POINTS:
Come on in. Now sit down, my dear. Cross my palm with silver and let me gaze deep into my crystal ball. Let me commune with my spirit guide. And I'll tell you all about your fashion future.
First, I see some great doubts ahead of you. Yes, your forehead is creased with worries. I understand your fears, my dear. After all, it seems odd to start thinking about spending your hard-earned dosh on jumpers, coats and scarves in the local fashion boutiques when, down at the supermarket, you're still trying to decided between the double cheese sizzlers and the gourmet sausages for tonight's barbecue.
But, never mind, my dear, that's the way the fashion industry works - always one step ahead of the weather.
Now I see a lot of hard work around you. And no, it's not you who's slaving away. Over the next couple of weeks I see local shop assistants unpacking, stacking and tagging until their professionally manicured fingers and well-shod feet ache. And by the end of this month I can tell you that the collections for this coming winter, from local and overseas labels, should all be in-store for your purchasing pleasure.
And now, let me have a quick poke around in your tea leaves. Well now, I see that you will be happy over the next few months. Very happy. You've already pillaged all the summer sales in town and you're gagging for something new. But as you peruse the racks, you need to be aware that there are a fair few trends to look out for, as well as a general mood to take note of.
First, I see sombre, darker colours. Although really, that's no surprise, things always tone down for winter. Wait! I also see the occasional space age silver and gold or 80s throwback, flashes of fluoro and other bright colours in your winter wardrobe.
And now, oh my goodness, are you ready for this? I see shapes. Lots of strange shapes. Crazy sleeves, unusual collars, capes and weird-looking dresses. It seems that dressmaking innovation is becoming much more important in your fashion future as the best designers, the ones who know their way around a sewing machine, are finding something new to do with their fabrics.
What's that, my dear? You want to know what you're going to wear when you leave the house? Well, I know not every shopper wants to wear grey, all the time. Nor do they necessarily wish to look like they're a walking fashion art exhibit. So I am pleased to be able to tell you that local designers have every level of trendiness covered. Whether you're going to meet a tall, dark handsome stranger at a fashionable, high society party, or whether you're just going to see your grandmother for a cup of tea, you are going to look very chic, my dear. Very chic indeed.
In the near future you will enjoy:
RETRO STYLE
They say there's nothing new under the sun and this definitely applies to fashion. Even the wildest new shapes this season owe something to the past and in particular to the 60s. Shift dresses, smocks, rising hemlines, mini skirts, clompy shoes, are a direct reflection of that era. Other decades also get a look in with pencil skirts and prom dresses straight out of the 50s, as well as high waists, tailoring, and flared trousers with a 30s feel.
You will be going to a fashionable party and you want to look impressively radical and trend setting: vintage-inspired looks from Deborah Sweeney, mini skirts and hot pants from Cherry Cotton Candy, or a slightly 50s-style frock from Zambesi.
You will be going to a work do and you want to look groovy but not crazy: a smock dress or coat from Juliette Hogan. A double-breasted pencil skirt from Kate Sylvester. Anything high waisted from Mala Brajkovic, or wide legged pants from Karen Walker.
You will be going to nana's place for lunch: play it safe in pretty Widdess dresses. They come in beautiful, antique colours and modern shapes with slightly shorter hemlines but they won't expose your knickers.
THE SPACE AGE AND SHINY
Dedicated glamoristas are probably sick of hearing these names, but you can blame overseas labels like Balenciaga and Lanvin for making this look a trendy one. It's not huge among local designers yet - but looking a little like a very fashionable Jetson or a hot astronaut is definitely somewhere in your long-term fashion future. What is closer is an emphasis on silver, gold and other shiny stuff, as well as dashes of the new-retro fluorescent or otherwise bright colours.
You will be going to a fashionable party and you want to look impressively radical and trend setting: a Cybele shift dress in black, with futuristic-looking prints. Interestingly shaped dresses from Lonely Hearts Club or their rather amazing cape-coat in grey. Adrian Hailwood's black, sequin mini dress.
You will be going to a work do and you want to look groovy but not crazy: Zambesi and Cybele dresses in gold and silver fabric. Miss Crabb's body hugging silver Lurex dresses. Or Helen Cherry's grey marl dresses and interestingly sleeved tops.
You will be going to nana's place for lunch: gold and silver dresses from Yvonne Bennetti and Jane Rhodes.
NEW SHAPES
This includes everything from puffed sleeves to oversized T-shirts and dresses with unusual shapes. And you won't be able to avoid it either, this trend is everywhere.
You will be going to a fashionable
party and you want to look impressively radical and trend setting: Kate Sylvester's arty smock dresses, Jimmy D's T-shirt dresses or Nom*D's deconstructed collection.
You will be going to a work do and you want to look groovy but not crazy: dresses from Zambesi, Mala Brajkovic, or Karen Walker's new red coat with the sculptural collar.
You will be going to nana's place for lunch: for a subtle and elegant play on shapes and interesting fabric use you can't go past Beth Ellery's dresses and shirts. New label Docherty Wilkins also fiddles with fabric in a sophisticated way. And labels like Miranda Brown and Jaimie include new elements in their clothing in an eminently wearable way.
ALSO IN YOUR FUTURE
Velvet
Satin
Purple
Tweeds and checks
Lace
Big buttons
Double breasted
Brightly coloured overcoats
Short trousers, finishing at ankle or above
Ankle length skirts
Knickerbockers
Masculine tailoring
