KEY POINTS:
You've heard of spring, summer, winter and autumn. Well, now there's a new season in fashion stores and its name is Pre-Fall. OK, so it sounds mildly ridiculous. After all, didn't we used to call the season that came before Fall, (which is American-ese for autumn) summer? But it seems that fashion commentators are taking this new season far more seriously. Recently, for the first time ever, influential website, Style.com - the online arm of Vogue and W magazines - covered the Pre-Fall shows in America and Europe.
The shows are smaller, less extravagant presentations and there are fewer clothes. And influential, desirable labels like Balenciaga, Lanvin, Chloe and Louis Vuitton are all holding extra, in-between-summer-and-winter events. The private shows they are putting on are providing two different sorts of trends. They're offering little entrees of the big, important trends to come. Some of them are even offering little mini-trends-flash-in-the-proverbial-pan styles that are instore one day, out the next.
So why is this happening? Mainly because, for dedicated followers of fashion, the time between winter and summer collections can feel like a long time with no new frocks.
The growing importance of Pre-Fall could also have to do with the fact that the big design houses are taking their cue from fast fashion. In malls right around the world the chainstores know they need to drip-feed customers new clothes every few weeks rather than once every six months. It keeps people coming back into the stores and buying.
Here's the big question: Should we, in New Zealand, be worrying about a new set of trends for this newly minted season?
Probably not. Mainly because all that the newfound popularity of Pre-Fall really indicates is a potential change in the way that our high-end fashion designers do business. Rather than putting all of their winter clothes into stores at once, they might stagger their boutique deliveries more obviously.
In conclusion, no, there isn't really a new season we must now dress for. Yes, there are more interesting clothes at different times of the year, rather than just twice a year.
Our advice: take a considered, balanced approach _ work out what special items you need to update and to keep up with new styles, decide what you actually need.
FOR PRE-FALL AND BEYOND
Local labels' winter wares are making their way into stores now. Here is a snapshot of the trends to look out for, for autumn, winter and beyond.
* Shiny and metallic - mix and match your bronze, gold and silver with everyday items for daytime use.
* Grey. All hues of grey are the perfect foil to the bright colours and sparkles. Black is too much of a contrast, grey makes attention-getting shades easier to wear.
* Orange. This colour is winning the popularity contest among the jewel brights. It's not too summery nor is it too grim. Other colours to look out for are teal blue, purple, and mustard.
* Arty prints and floral graphics. This is a trend that's come directly from overseas runways. And although New Zealand is ostensibly a season behind, this is an easy one for manufacturers to translate to Antipodean winter wardrobes.
* Checks. Still going strong after summer. Just make sure the look is urban rather than rural. Wear heels and skirts with it. You don't want to be mistaken for a farmer's daughter.
* Oversized or arty knitwear. Bid the humble cardy farewell. This includes everything from form fitted jumpers that imitate corsetry to oversized sweater dresses that you'll wear with a belt and leggings once temperatures drop.
* Rising hemlines. Blame it on the ubiquitous smock dress. Because if you don't wear this look short and show a bit of leg (or legging), then you end up looking as though you have a bun in the oven. Look out for lots of interesting coloured and textured hosiery as a result.
