FASHION WEEK TRENDS: GO BIG OR GO HOME

Sleek silhouettes might have reigned the Paris and Milan fashion week catwalks this season but in many of the collections we saw oversized coats, knits and trousers... even belts! More often this trend is neutral in colour if you don't count Issey Miyake and his bright red creation. Perhaps these looks would work better in Europe but if it were cold enough here would you try this trend, or do you prefer a more snug fit for your outerwear?

FASHION WEEK TRENDS: COLOUR

It was obvious early on that certain colour trends were emerging this season. Thankfully one of my favorites reigned supreme for fall/winter. Green! Wether it's sea green, olive, emerald or moss it's up to you. The army green, if not militarian trend was strong this year and extended to coats, knits, hats, shoes and scarves. 

Second to green this season you could barely go a show without seeing burgundy or red, specifically the former. Givenchy chose red as a theme alongside stars and stripes but other designers chose it to make more of a statement. Or in the case of Mugler, burgundy made up entire looks in different shades.

Last up is blue. Diesel Black Gold released their look in a powdery tone but the closer we got to Paris the blue became more electric. Again with blue we see this used more as a statement piece so you can take pointers from these looks on how to execute it into your own style.

NAME THAT TREND: THE CAMO PRINT 2011

I first noticed the reinvention of the camo print on Nickelson Wooster who shot to fame because of his outrageous and wonderful outfit choices outside of Fashion week. Camo as a tie and blazer? Okay! No longer is this common trance-party attire circa 1998. And those heavy pocketed pants, oi. Remember Joe Soap?
Shoot through to 2011 and the fashion scene is starting to embrace it once more by including it in the detail. Not all people are as confident with this sort of trend as Nickelson Wooster but we can learn from the examples below shot outside fashion week this year.

Now with NYFW at a close it was surprising to see Tommy Hilfiger experiment with the camo print in the form of a colour soled boot and zip-up jacket. Notice the white jeans allow the overall look to calm down just a touch. One of my new favorite shoe brands Del Toro even released a brogue in this print which although surprising is pretty cool and would make a fine addition to my wardrobe. But leave it to Addict and C-law who collaborated on their own version-- a boat-boot hybrid that I'm certain will go down well with the boys. 

What do you think of this trend? Would you bring the camouflage to the city?

FASHION SLIPPERS, LIKE HUGH HEFNER? SURE!

Derek Geddes of Elizabeth Galloway sent me a fascinating article on the demise of societies efforts to dress better, that it's all a sign we have given up. This article references the recent riots of course and the abundance of sweatpant wearers. While many of us do actually make an effort it isn't all wrong. So how about a way to be comfortable and fashionable at the same time? Honestly jeans everyday is about as bad as it gets for me but one can still wear it with more formal pieces. 

Hugh Hefner demonstrated that he can wear slippers everyday, even if that meant leaving the house to attend premiers and events. And while he made it famous he wasn't the one that made it trendy. Recently at Milan FW we saw a few men donning slippers as a fashion statement and it really isn't that hard for you to do the same thing. Just look at Stefano Gabbana and his adaptation. It's simply a loafer equivalent and should be worn with the same ease. 

Stubbs and Wootton have famously created a collection of these slippers in an assortment of fancy design and fun colours but I was particularly impressed with Del Toro who embroidered animals (as seen at the top), initials or your own preferred style as they can custom make your pair. Now that's customer service. Would you wear this style?

Of course if you're going to do it you may as well go all out and try something like the spiked and glittery dragon-scaled Christian Louboutin slippers. Just watch where you walk before you hurt someone.

NAME THAT TREND: THE BRACELET AND WATCH TREND

We covered all the trends in terms of clothing but one of the most common trends I noticed from this past fashion week in Europe was the duo of bead bracelets and nylon and canvas strapped watches. I really love the look, especially when it is paired with a more relaxed take on formal attire. The boys from Milan and Paris are not afraid to wear a friendship bracelet or two and nor should you. It's about balance, the right amount of colour, nothing too bulky. Asos.com has a few on their site and they're super cheap.

The watch is fantastic and is by Georg Jensen of course. This Nato watch-strap can be purchased for 65GBP. If you fancy the Koppel timepieces displayed in the images below you can get that too for only $1195USD. Chump change.

What are your thoughts on this trend? Would you wear a friendship bracelet with your watch? Let us know.