PERSONAL SHOPPING TIPS: HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED FASHION TRENDS

2020 has been a strange year for all of us, and as a personal shopper and stylist I have seen many changes within the world of fashion. From access to sustainability, and even the trends that reflect the mood of the world right now, we are seeing huge changes in the industry. Within this article, I wanted to share some of my findings as well as the winter trends that we have seen previously, versus the trends we are seeing right now.

2019 Winter Fashion Trends:

In 2019, fashion during the winter was all about sparkles, dresses, and formal wear with fun at their core. With many people having special events to attend and parties to go to, fashion during this year, as with many years previously, reflected these events within their clothing ranges.

You will have potentially invested in some party dresses, sparkly jumpers, a long beautiful coat or gorgeous shoes for a special occasion in the past and either re-used them with a few additional accessories to change up the look, and hoped to do the same this year with a diary of events with work colleagues, friends, or family. To say our diaries probably look a lot different now is an understatement, and fashion houses are showing these huge changes within their collections.

2020 Winter Fashion Trends.

The real puzzle, after working from home which, for many, was a completely new thing this year, as well as shops being closed, parties being a no-go (at least in person) and gatherings not on the cards for the near future, your plans will undoubtedly look different. The truth is that fashion trends adapt to times and people’s needs, and nothing has been seen more this year than the need for comfort, but with a twist. People are becoming fed up of wearing their yoga pants and pyjamas, the element of enjoyment and fun wearing these items seems to have tired, and people now want to dress up, if even for an online gathering, small social event outside, or a date with their loved one in the home.

Here are some trends I have seen for this winter, from head to toe, from high street to high end!

Comfortable & Luxurious Sweaters

Countless companies have been adding loungewear to their collections, and there is no difference for the Winter styles, however, a touch of sparkle is being brought in. From cosy jumpers with a touch of sparkle,  to luxurious yet comfortable loungewear sets, expect to make comfort & luxury a combination that will remain this month!

Upgraded Loungewear

Countless companies have been adding loungewear to their collections, and there is no difference for the Winter styles this year. Luxurious materials, unique colours, and comfort at the heart of each design, these loungewear designs have changed the way we can look at these comfortable styles. From luxurious yet comfortable loungewear sets, to a beautiful dusty pink set in soft cotton-jersey  expect to make comfort & luxury a combination that will remain this month.

Fun & inspiring words

I’ve seen the classic sayings on tops and jumpers for a few years now, and with 2020 being as it has been, we all need a little bit of positivity, if even on our clothing to remind us & bring a smile to our faces, and to those we connect with through VC or in person. From eco-cashmere jumpers by Alberta Ferretti with a range of positive quotes, to colourful rainbow sweatshirts that are more casual, clothing is working to bring a smile to your face during these colder months.

Leggings and Jogging bottoms get an upgrade

With many of us only needing to dress-up from the waist up, we are seeing many designers creating luxe-joggers and leggings. From suede effect joggers by Max Mara, to cream knitted joggers by Mint Velvet, expect your jogging bottoms to feel amazing, and perhaps even work outside of the home (if you so wish).

Keep your feet warm!

If you’re foregoing the stilettos this year, or perhaps having your work Christmas do online, then you’ll be pleased to hear that keeping snuggly and warm for your feet is top of the agenda. Whether it’s gorgeous shearling-lined slip-ons by Porte & Paire, or cosy knitted booties from Mint Velvet, expect the most comfortable year yet – at least for your feet!

Glam but Comfortable

If you are on the lookout for a party-ready look, then designers have a huge host of comfortable yet glamourous styles that have come to retailers across the globe. So for those of you looking to dress up this Christmas, why not try a beautiful lace shirt by Dolce and Gabbana or a more budget friendly version by  & Other Stories to add some drama to your look? If you love dresses, then there are countless comfortably glam styles to choose from. I think a knitted dress is  great way to feel comfortable and warm, yet stylish, and with the right care they can last for years, so when we are able to go out once again, you can re-wear them. From a casual-chic cashmere and wool-blend midi dress by Isabel Marant with balloon sleeves, to a zebra patterned jersey midi dress with turtleneck and A-line silhouette, there are some beautiful options to get dressed up while remaining comfortable this season.

So, will you be dressing to impress this season, or will you be investing in some comfortably chic items to add to your Working from Home looks?

PERSONAL STYLIST ADVICE - NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION - TIME TO FEEL MORE CONFIDENT

We all deserve to feel confident within ourselves. Having a wardrobe that helps increase that confidence, so you can simply walk in, choose an outfit you know you’ll feel fantastic in, and go out is something that can not only be time-saving, but also truly life changing. As the new year sets in, I propose you have a resolution that you can stick to – make your wardrobe and clothes work for you, rather than against you. So often we spend our valuable time and energy going through wardrobes which don’t serve us or make us happy. I propose 2019 is the year you make a difference! Spend some time going through your own collection of clothes, and take the pieces that you don’t wear, or feel confident in, and giving them to a charity shop (or selling them, but I love handing pieces that will bring joy to others and help a charity close to my heart!). These pieces don’t serve you by being there, causing you to question yourself each time you get dressed, and are taking up valuable storage space for items that you do love!

You can start your 2019 with a fresh new start, a wardrobe that works for you, and helps you to feel ready to take on the year with confidence! Here are my tips to helping you get started on that all-important wardrobe edit.

1. Give yourself time – don’t rush through your wardrobe clean-up. Get yourself a cup of your favourite drink and make it an enjoyable, freeing experience.

2. Listen to your gut instinct – if an item of clothing makes you feel anything but positive, then it’s time to remove it from your wardrobe. If you are unsure, then place it in your wardrobe, with the hanger facing the opposite way to your other clothes, if in a month you haven’t worn it, that means it’s time to get rid of it.

3. Make it seasonal – unless you feel confident enough to match a summer dress with a lovely woollen jumper, you will probably have seasonal items taking up your wardrobe space. Take out any items that won’t suit the current climate, and place them neatly into a storage container, and put them away. A clean and seasonal wardrobe is a happy wardrobe! You can then go through these items before the new season comes in and take the same clear out process with these items before placing them into your wardrobe.

One of the toughest things my clients have when we go through the wardrobe edit is knowing what style most truly reflects them. This can often change throughout our lives, as we age, get new jobs, become parents, or simply feel a new personal style is more appropriate. Once we get to grips with the styles that not only suit our body, but more importantly suit what we want to project to the world, then our confidence can shine brightly. It makes it easy to shop and find new clothing that we will want to wear every day!

If this feels overwhelming to you, or you’d like some support and professional assistance in choosing the items in your closet which will look the best on you (as well as removing those which do not serve your personal style), then I’d love to chat. Please feel free to comment below if you’re hitting a roadblock, or have any questions, or call me to see how we can work together to make your confidence shine brightly.