Texture is everything this winter.

words NICKY ADAMS

SILK LAUNDRY 90S SLIP DRESS, $409, BELLOVIDA.NZ

Be per-sueded

An explosion of suede this season and well into next year makes this a top pick for a staple. Boots, bags, jackets, dresses — suede gets top marks for versatility and its ability to aesthetically elevate an outfit. Unfortunately, it gets a low score for practicality. Beautiful on a dry day, no amount of protection spray will make suede a good all-weather choice, unless you’re prepared not to be too precious about wear and tear. There’s always an abundance of vintage and second hand suede, and it can make good buying — but pick carefully as suede is heavily tied to ’70s trends.

LANCE LONG LACE SKIRT $349, REPERTOIRE.CO.NZ

I’ve recently started a love affair with mint as a colour choice; it works well paired with the on-trend wintery shades of brown and burgundy. It often only takes one really stand out piece in a shade to open your eyes to a tone you may not have previously considered. Mix in other sorbet shades to match with brown and burgundy — they bring a freshness to an outfit and are a change from the standard crisp white that is often styled with these tones.

KSUPER CARGO TERRA PANTS, $309.95, KSUBI.CO.NZ

Low effort outfits

Florals are another way to add joy to your outfit. Rather than relegate this pattern solely to spring/summer, look at tonal shades and pair with chunkier boots. This will bring balance if you’ve layered with a chunky coat, as well as make you feel more seasonally dressed. Boxy blazers, wide leg trousers and of course lots of knits will be key items to keep you ticking on through the chilly days. If you want to add another jean trend to your barrel-leg style, then a cuffed hem (harking back to the early 2000s) has reemerged, and looks fabulous with flats, a sweater and a blazer. Pin stripes are here for winter and are always great when tailored; worn as separates it will be sleek office wear without being too corporate. A short sleeve fitted jumper feels way more snuggly than a shirt, and is also really versatile with wide leg pants, skirts or over silky slip dresses. A winter fail safe is a knitted midi dress, which manages to look good and feel comfortable at the same time.

KING LOUIE BOMBER JACKET $449, URBANVOGUE.CO.NZ

Blend the trend

Cold weather dressing can be a sartorial dilemma. As the chill and the drizzle set in, the urge to wrap up becomes hard to beat. Nevertheless, there are ways to feel cossetted and still be stylish. This is most likely why texture is such a huge part of a winter aesthetic; utilising material as a tactic becomes a way to pull the focus, allowing us to reign in cosy cashmere, soft mohair and merino for knits, along with boucle for tailoring and suede, leather, shearling and faux fur for outer wear.

UNREAL FUR PARIS COAT, $603 UNREALFUR.COM.AU

If you’re bundled in a big, oversized coat, then try and add structure with a sleek silhouette underneath. As a fabric choice it’s no surprise velvet is right at the top of the pile of must-haves. Thick and lustrous, its combination of sheen, inability to crease and look of luxe adds another visual layer, making it simply irresistible. While ice-blue, cornflower, periwinkle and cobalt are colours to tap into, another tone that we can definitely get ahead of here in New Zealand is cyan blue, after it was seen popping up all over this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Shape shifting

Winter whites and pales shades are statement making; although when it comes to denim, a dark indigo colourway feels more seasonally intuitive. At this time of year trousers inevitably become a more important part of your wardrobe and crafted from a beautiful fabric – think satin or silk – can easily become the focal point of the whole outfit.

Don’t be deterred from short dresses or skirt options though, with tights finally welcomed back into the fashion fold, hemlines above the knee have become way more appealing as a more do-able option. Opaque coloured tights are effective, and of course needn’t be restricted to black; when it comes to styling Northern hemisphere fashionistas have been leading the way wearing peep or open toes with their tights rather than the more traditional close toe.

Sole searching

Ditch the pain and discover shoes that love your feet as much as you love them.

With the adage ‘beauty is pain’ firmly entrenched, historically women have squished and squeezed, ignored their bunions, laughed in the face of corns and teetered impractically along with whichever footwear trend was the latest to hit the high-street. This attitude has been turned on its head. Now we prioritise comfort as much as style when it comes to what we put on our feet. Of course, wearing sneakers with everything from suiting to formalwear is now de rigeur. Alongside the love of casual pumps, which has moved from just white to metallics and bright colours, a place has been found across all age groups and lifestyles for comfort in the form of Uggs, Birkenstock styles and Crocs. I once sat in the Victoria Beckham camp of “I would rather die” defiance at owning Crocs. However, having succumbed to the lure of this uber comfortable and practical option, I am a firm convert. After all, I reason that while Victoria can hold onto her principles, she more than likely doesn’t have to rush out the door on a school run or stand in damp grass hanging the washing on the line.

The need to competently go about our daily business in a surefooted manner means there will always be a requirement for the practical. However, there’s been a definite shift of the dial when it comes to event wear, and I for one am excited to see the interest in glam footwear surging once more. Along with the more foot friendly trends (think loafers, Mary Janes, platforms, wedges) there is an increased awareness around the combination of comfort and design for glamorous, elegant footwear. Sole Bliss is a UK brand designed around bunions. The brainchild of shoe designer Lisa Kay, who, after suffering issues with her own feet, began creating a range specifically for others with wide feet and bunions. Combining technology, input from podiatrists, hand crafting and years of design experience, her shoes now regularly adorn the feet of everyone from royalty to Hollywood A-listers; it seems even the likes of Helen Mirren and Julia Roberts appreciate their bunions catered for.

There is also a rising demand for occasion specific comfort — a need recognised by American designer Sara Blakely (founder of Spanx), who has brought Sneex to the market. Introduced to me by a friend who loves additional height to command the boardroom without sacrificing her mobility, I was wowed when I slipped them on my feet. It’s rare to be elevated to this height of heel and still feel as though you could march confidently through the streets.

The ultimate hybrid of sneaker with a heel, they are pitched at everyone from businesswomen to brides. They do, however, come with a hefty price tag. New Zealand shoe designers are by no means resting on their laurels. We have access to a multitude of amazing homegrown brands. To name a few: Katherine Wilson, Nicole Rebstock, and locally Chaos & Harmony. I’m a huge fan of all of these, and can vouch for the elevated comfort levels of a well-made shoe.

I spoke to creative director of Chaos & Harmony, Becs Anderson, who told me, “Essentially, we come from a form and function basis, meeting needs from multiple angles. From a shoe perspective — given it’s a thing that holds our whole body — we not only want the style that it offers but we need it to have comfort so that we can wear them all day.”

Chaos & Harmony positions itself around the fact that a smart shoe adds to the style that you’re trying to create. However, as Becs points out, foot health is key. “You don’t need to be thinking about your shoes — you want the footbed to be comfortable; equally, you don’t want there to be any friction points. Afterall, you don’t want your legs aching at the end of the day. It’s easy to make shoes look good, but can you make them comfortable? That’s more where the science comes in.”

This science is everything from folding rather than stitching, the pitch of the heel, the angle the ball of the foot is on, to the balance of a block heel. With the industry making strides like this, it’s no wonder we’re all looking to bench the trainers and slip back into a stunning pair of heels.

Fashion forecast

Energise your wardrobe for spring.

Spotted!

Polka dot is the print of the season. Big spots, small spots — from dresses to jackets, even suiting, this pattern is well and truly cemented for the season. Reminiscent of the excess of the ’80s, it has been reimagined with less pizzazz and more elegance. Surprisingly versatile, depending on how it’s styled, one minute it feels traditional, the next it screams street style.

Whatever the weather

If you’ve longed for the day when a raincoat is repositioned as a fashion piece, then that day is here! Joining a swathe of other on trend jackets (utility, barn, cropped trench) the raincoat is finally having its moment. Used as a layering piece, these jackets look as good over a ballgown as they do on the rugby sidelines.

Check it out

Plaid for spring feels fresh when pieces are crafted from lighter fabrics. It’s also coming across in more elegant forms, with other features incorporated into designs; case in point the black bows at the shoulder of The Row’s Maxi Dress. Checked shirts will be a much-seen addition to outfit choices, with the ability to double as a light jacket.

Baggy trousers

The segue seems natural when you think about it - wide leg to barrel to a combination of both in the form of a pantaloon (voluminous trousers gathered in with elastic or ribbon) and this easy-breezy style has more than a touch of boho about it. When paired on the runway with lacy tops there was a tendency to look a wee bit like Victorian underwear, but as with any trend it can be pared down and translate to your own wardrobe beautifully.

Style status

Sole searching

Fashion forecast

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