So yesterday I went to Clothes Show Live in Birmingham, which is basically a huge annual british fashion and shopping event at the Birmingham NEC. I haven't been to any fashion events before, and so I had no idea what to expect, and was pleasantly surprised to see how relaxed everyone was. There were even people who had come in onesies, which although isn't something I'd do, it was nice to not be the least fashionable person there. I was also surprised to see the sheer number of vintage clothing stalls, as I was expecting more beauty products and demonstrations (which, don't worry, there were plenty of) and so yes I may or may not have gone a little wild and blown the last of my birthday money on a few secondhand items. I got a couple of shirts, an insane wolf tshirt and a patterned cardigan, along with some black embellished Levis and an oversized maroon cardigan...also, every item was under £20.
The fashion show itself was a serious dance/fashion combination, and was really enjoyable for the entire audience, even those not that interested in fashion...and I mean, what really beats a group of young male models in boxers?! The outfits themselves were incredible, and the whole performance was well presented by Henry Holland and Grace Woodward. I also got a tonne of free or extremely reduced stuff, for example O.P.I gold shatter nail polish (below), and even some rimmel makeup and St.Tropez fake tan. I also watched a couple of graduate catwalk shows which were also amazing, and over the whole day have managed to get a pretty good trend report together for autumn/winter 2012.
-Trend Report, Autumn/Winter 2012-
- OVERSIZED- Oversized everything, from full, floor-length dresses to knee length t-shirts and jumpers.
- PATTERNS- Spring/Summer's tailored suits have evolved into looser, clashing combinations...look out for these from designers like Marc Jacobs and Prada. Patterned trousers are a practical high-street buy.
- LONG- Pencil and Bodycon skirts are now mid-thigh or longer, and long floaty dresses should be seen around more often than the ulra-mini skirts of previous years.
- WHITE & MONOCHROME- Colour blocking is so 2011. Instead, try restricting your colour palette to just white, or only black and white. Since when did Cruella DeVille get so fashionable?
- LEATHER & FUR- Ditch the military and duffle coats, this season is all about shiny leather and glossy fur. Try a short, sleek brown faux fur coat over a classy LBD and heels for this party season.
- THE BOX CROP- With high-waisted shorts, skirts and trousers still hanging on, jackets have shrunk, introducing the structured box crop. Watch out for these, as I think they might be sticking around.
