Style status

Break out a new look this autumn.

words Nicky Adams

Morris trousers, $449, Viva skinny rib, $349, katesylvester.co.nz

Throwing shades

Blazers continue to be a cornerstone of pretty much every style. An investment you’ll never regret, a blazer really is the ultimate trans seasonal piece. With everything from cotton bouclé to wool, you’ll find it comes in so many variations of fabric, colour, cut and style that you can load up on them knowing it’s an essential that will always be on point. Another never say die look to carry through the seasons is layering. This translates in multiple ways; a dress layered over another dress or trousers (usually wide leg) will be a firm favourite, and another interpretation that ties in with the 90s looks trending is layering a turtleneck. On its own or under anything, a very fine knit in a super soft yarn will look particularly polished matched with a shirt or tailored suit. For a real statement try a colour lift with your outerwear

Australian cotton split sleeve shirt, $199; mini wool skirt, $229, countryroad.co.nz

Change it up

If you have a corporate lifestyle, then a polished power suit is an autumnal investment – in 2024 it’s going to be hard to get away from the 80s banker trend.
On the bright side, business style dressing has stepped up the elegance factor which makes it altogether more wearable. If you want to take it from the office to beyond, think about minimalist streamlined silhouettes; if a shirt feels too dressy then a buttoned up cardi is one way of opting into the look. Pinstripes have been glammed up and have lost their uptight vibe and are being used in softer shapes for a more feminine, less androgynous feel.  Preppy is very much an autumnal look, not a new one, but slightly reinvented; tiny pleated skirts, open shirt and maybe a sweater – add a tie to bring up to speed. Knitwear is a key part of the season and can be used to really give softness to darker autumnal shades. 

Juliette Hogan Luca dress Lilac Haze, $949

Maximum effect

This season a maxi is a must. A key trend, a full-length skirt or dress has been paired with floor sweeping outerwear for a dramatic and very seasonally appropriate look. Moving on to other more wearable looks off the catwalk that have made their way to the street, the timeline has started to shift from Y2K to the early 2010s, which means peplums, ruffles and high low. If you thought you would never revisit any peplums left in your wardrobe then have another look – it’s a really flattering style with the ability to accentuate the waistline and be forgiving in the stomach area. We’re still loving flower power in the form of embroidery cut outs which really do lend themselves to this textural re-boot; this is a fabulous way to update this classic
one-dimensional pattern. 

Henrik Vibskov Full Bulk Dress $850, theshelteronline.com

Seasonal flare

The femininity of the Fifties era has been revamped and filtered through for autumn/winter. Oversized petticoats and nipped in waists characterise this aesthetic in most people’s minds, and this period is certainly going to have style notes that infiltrate mainstream. The cropped jacket is one such look, pairing particularly well with a wide leg pair of trousers. Another retro feel is the bow, which will be to this autumn what the rosette is to spring. A strong colour will be a beautiful buttermilk yellow, which is trying its hardest to take precedence over pink, which has reigned supreme for so long. Deep burgundy and plums are shades so well suited to this time of year and tend to be flattering to most skin tones – they also make the perfect foil for brighter contrasts. Watch this space for browns across the spectrum starting to become really big news; while brown can be considered humdrum, it’s coming through as anything but dull, so watch for some chocolate delights.

Shop your wardrobe

Assess the old before you add the new.

words Nicky Adams

This phrase is enough to send shivers down the spine of anyone who enjoys the art of bringing their wardrobe up to speed on a seasonal basis. However, the concept of not adding anything new to your collection doesn’t have to mean a veto on all new purchases. What it can imply is simply that by refreshing our memories of what we have, we can better fill the gaps with things we need – or desperately want – but at the same time leaving the way clear to cleverly utilise what we already own.

Organise

Unfortunately, a key part of this process, and one that the more cluttered cupboard owners like myself absolutely dread to be lectured on, is organising your space. Many may remember the world-renowned Japanese queen of clean Marie Kondo, who promoted a frenzied turfing out of anything that didn’t promote ‘joy’ when you looked at it. Incidentally she developed this concept when childless – three kids later she has admitted it’s nigh on impossible to keep to the standards she promoted. Regardless, she does have a point. By going through your wardrobe, you will inevitably find things that are no longer best fitting, tired or you just don’t really like. By culling the dross, you leave more space for the real gems. It’s a proven fact that when we look at excess in our drawers, we tend to just reach for the same items repeatedly. If possible, divide your wardrobe into clear zones, so have the work shirts / pants / skirts
to one side. Other sections could include casual day wear and then eveningwear.

Collate your basics  

Knowing what works for you is not a crime, and it’s not uncommon for people – particularly men – to buy multiple pieces of the same item. Some consider this type of dressing almost like a uniform; Apple billionaire Steve Jobs springs to mind with his simple black turtleneck rolled out on a daily basis. Whilst this
is extreme it may be that your own wardrobe is heavily weighted towards a certain style or colour of shirt, T-shirt, and jumper. To have these fundamental pieces will take the stress out of getting dressed, however it’s more than possible to keep this methodology going, but just throw in one other item in a different colour or cut, to pair up with one of the basics that could give the look a completely different feel. This would then potentially give the uniform basics more versatility and the opportunity to move from day to night, or smart to casual.

Elevate

By identifying game changing pieces amongst your wardrobe, it’s possible to remind yourself where your personal wow lies. It may be that the item speaks to a certain style (boho, minimalist, loud luxury), but whatever it is will be a pointer as to what your new season purchases should be. If you have found that a tailored velvet jacket has been thrashed to pieces but style wise stood the test of time, then this may be the perfect statement piece to reinvest in. Likewise, a maxi dress that makes you feel amazing, that you now feel comfortable dressing down to wear during the day as well as in the evening. This is process is not just about refamiliarising yourself with what you already have, but about successfully planning the new purchases. A very simple form of crop rotation and re-seeding I like to think. 

Dolce & Gabbana

Fashion forecast

Get ahead with the latest trends.

NERDY CHIC

There’s been murmurings of a tie trend since the end of last year, and it looks as though it’s made it from the catwalk to the mainstream. If you like this vibe but feel that it’s too severe for your taste, then play around with the outfit as a whole. Always styled with a shirt, if it’s too stark with monotone, get creative with colours and textures to lift the look. Off the runway it’s edgy rather than librarian.

Miu Miu

GETTING SHORTY

The shortest of shorts are coming our way. When it comes to fashion you can’t reinvent the wheel – but it seems you can walk round in knickers. Over the last couple of years wearing a bra as a top has taken off, so it’s probably no surprise to see knickers having their own moment. Personally, I’m struggling – knickers are knickers are knickers – but this is a catwalk look that A-listers are loving.

Gigi Hadid

TIGHTEN UP

If you thought tights were reserved for the royal family, you’ll find they’re about to be everywhere you look. Possibly the reemergence is practical as much as anything; correlating with the power suit trend and the super short look. From velvet to fishnet to bright and statement making, this is a bold move and needs
to be styled with the right outfit. 

Loewe

SUGARY SWEET

Cold weather wear in pretty pastels is the ultimate way to shake aside the winter blues. If you do opt for this trend then accessorise accordingly; beige boots or lighter coloured footwear, and tonally tied in bags.

Style status

Keep cosy but cool with key elements this season.

Words Nicky Adams

LAYER UP

Winter is the time when fabrics really come into play. Texture adds a whole new layer to any piece, so the distinctive look of mohair, or the sheen of silk or satin can take an outfit to the next level. Wool is at the fore in its many forms, and a modernised Fair Isle jumper is a cool retro aesthetic. Match with a pair of leather pants and chunky boots, or a statement sweater in cable knit or an on-trend colour (there are greens and pinks galore), and you have an outfit that breezes from day to night. If a jumper feels like too much of a temperature commitment (no one wants to feel trapped sweating it out on a mild Bay day), then consider a cardigan. Versatile to the end, it’s the ultimate seasonal sneak piece as you still get to showcase the outfit beneath. 

Wrapping up in something snuggly has never been more acceptable with the post-pandemic love fest for leisurewear. A determination to prioritise comfort has led to a burgeoning market for anything you feel good in. Meanwhile, a solid staple that’s hit the big time this season is the white shirt – with the potential to be styled in multiple ways, it’s a foundation piece that you can’t do without. Winter accessories are surely the most gratifying, and this year the bigger the scarf, the more on-trend. A lightweight version comes into its own with its ability to double as sleek outfit accent and draught excluder when you get the seat no-one wants next to the open office door

Mulberry Bronte Bag $85, for stockists contact antlernz.co.nz 

Principessa Dress, $570, twentysevennames.co.nz

Cable Knit Fair Isle Sweater, $299.95,
scotch-soda.com.au

Geo White Shirt, $269, Chartreuse Sailor Jeans, $289, nz.kowtowclothing.com

Peter Alexander Knit Check Cardi $99.99, peteralexander.co.nz 

Easel Combat Boot, $400, mipiaci.co.nz

Garica faux leather pants, $255, urbanvogue.co.nz

Green Abstract Leopard Scarf $39, for stockists contact antlernz.co.nz

TRENDING NOW

Most wanted this season.

Unpack the partywear

Looking polished in winter always feels like a bit more of an effort – but the dazzle can still be worked into the outfit, just in different ways. The most obvious route is via your outerwear – a stylish, quality winter coat or jacket is an investment piece that will not just elevate your look but will be with you to the end. When you’re going glam in winter, you want hard-working multifunctional looks that will translate just as well at a milestone birthday party as a black-tie event. Balancing statement with staples is easy
to achieve with an on-trend maxi dress or skirt. Full-leg coverage makes this the ultimate cold-weather piece that can turn its hand to a host of different looks. Style with a blazer or larger-than-life faux fur for a super cool classic silhouette, or throw on a low-key jacket for contemporary. Plush textures are going strong, so don’t shy away from a furry, feather or shearling aesthetic. To extend your looks still further, consider winterising items in your wardrobe by incorporating layering pieces. Fine knit merinos or turtlenecks will slip under dresses and can be styled either to blend in or as a contrast.  

Ruby Ariel Dress $329, rubynz.com

Nautica Ring $379, silkandsteel.co.nz

Curtis sleeveless Blouse $199,
rubynz.com/collections/liam

Scarf Mini Skirt $519 (limited edition), zara.com/nz  

Nautica Hoops $269, silkandsteel.co.nz

In your element

The scarf trend has crept into clothing and can
be found incorporated into everything from coats to skirts. Embellishments are key; however, it’s worth thinking about the type of event before you commit to a look – stand-up versus sit-down can be more of an outfit barometer than you think (hours on a seat-full of sequins can be prickly). Instead tie these aspects in other ways. A black ankle boot will be a wise investment, good with maxis and pants, a sleek slimline heel makes this the perfect footwear to swap in to replace ankle-baring heels. If you’ve opted for a minimal design outfit then top the look off with an evening bag with extra va-va-voom; high shine or intricate detailing is a sartorial win.

Angel Feather Jacket $499, stormonline.com 

Cashmere oversized sweater, honeydew,
$859, standardissue.co.nz

Darcy Suede Boots $490, scarpa.co.nz 

C/MEO Reciprocate Mini Dress $349,
cocowellington.co.nz 

Brie Leon Antonia Bag $250,
paperplanestore.com

COLOUR ME PRETTY

Work out which shades will light up your life. Words Nicky Adams

While we live in a time of obsessing over miracle creams and tweakments, the more achievable secret to looking our best is far simpler and lies not in a needle but in our wardrobe. For men and women alike, some colours will quite literally take years off you by visually brightening your skin tone. Others will suck the very life force from you.

Deciphering the colour palette that best suits your skin tone is not an exact science. A professional colour analysis is one way of doing it, or you can DIY it by holding up different colours close to your face to see which give you a lift. No matter how light or dark your skin is on the outside, cool, warm and neutral undertones are the colours that come through from under the surface of your skin. By looking at the veins on your wrist you may be able to work out where you sit. Blue or purple veins indicate a cool skin, green means warm. If, like me, you have spent lots of time staring at your veins but remain none the wiser, it might be that you sit between both and are neutral. Another tried-and-tested way is by looking at your jewellery or watch; silver looks good on cool skin tones, while gold flatters warm tones. Failing all these methods, most people will know how they react to the sun’s rays – warm undertones tend to tan, cool will burn more easily. While hair colour is no clear-cut indicator, generally the darker your hair, eyes and skin, the brighter the better, whereas naturally fair of skin and hair will find pastels and paler shades complement their features.

Once you’ve got a baseline of the shades that theoretically flatter you, don't be too literal. It’s very common to simply dismiss a colour and all the shades that lie around it when armed with the perception that the base colour does not suit you. However, different hues within the colour wheel can be subtle to the eye yet throw off a totally different look. Using white as an example, the wrong hue can easily make you look washed out – while pure white looks fabulous on cool complexions, a shift to ivory makes it stunning for warm. So, if there is a colour you’ve mentally banned, try again with an alternative that sits in close proximity. 

If you’re reading this with a view that it’s irrelevant because “one size fits all” black is your go-to, then I have bad news. Black has long been considered the safe option, but for many complexions it can drain all the colour from the face; worse still, it can cause shadows that pool in those fine wrinkles, which of course is more obvious as we mature. If this is the case, you might find that swapping out black for navy is like switching on an internal light.

Once you’ve found those shades that really make an impact, don’t be scared to dial it up a notch. As we mature, vibrant colours become a statement. We’re in a fashion moment where dopamine dressing rules supreme - nevertheless, if you simply can’t make your favourite colour work then don’t despair, all is not lost. The key is to keep it at a distance from your face, so anything worn from the waist down will work. Equally use the colour to build on to accessorise with bright heels or matching bags. 

Cool dressing 

Pink or bluey-red undertones tend to blush more easily. Aim for bright greens, purples, bold and pale blues, jewel tones, cool greys, crisp white and sea shades.

Warm wearers

Yellowish or olive undertones look good in earth colours. Try greens, browns, warm reds, orange, peach, coral, yellow, taupe and off-white.

Neutral undertones

You suit a variety of hues and shades and can get away with most colours, so wear what makes you feel best, but be careful of bright colours.

Universally flattering colours 

Anyone can wear these, whether you're cool, warm, or neutral, so don't be afraid to go bold with true red, teal and dark purple

FASHION FORECAST

Get ahead with the latest spring fashion trends.

What Lies Beneath

Lingerie-inspired looks have left the bedroom and will be hitting the high street. Think corseted tops and beautiful satins along with sheer fabrics and luxurious lace trimmings. The ubiquitous slip dress will be seen with lacy accents, and pretty camisole tops abound. To be this slinky needs confidence, and this trend is a something of a twist on power dressing.

A New Angle

Well, hold onto your hats – flattering and relatable? Surely not! Asymmetric hemlines are big for spring. This look lends itself to a fabric with movement and ruching along the seam; both aspects make this super easy to wear.

Shine Bright

Silver is coming out as leader of the metallics. A little more discreet than gold, it can be toned down to pewter, and slides into daywear with ease. Meanwhile, lime is the shade that will sing spring from the low-sheen colour chart. Refreshing and with a range of tones suited to most people, it’s a bold choice, but one that signals summer is on its way. With a colour this vibrant, the design is best pared back to let the hue do the talking.

Ethereal Beauty

Sleek draped dresses and skirts – dreamy, goddess-like and the new romantic on the runway. Avoid looking too costumey by keeping accessories to the minimal. It’s a soft, undone, and with its pleats and gathers in all the right places, very flattering look. It’s also a style that can be played around with for day wear, but translates easily into sultry evening attire or sophisticated event wear. The Greek goddess look is the ultimate classic.

Life & soul

THE EXPERT - Nicola Travis

Nicola has a passion for creating inviting spaces by combining fresh whites with pops of personality in a way that’s unique to you. “It’s important to me not only to make your home beautiful and cohesive but also to shape your décor so it truly reflects your personality. Giving your house some soul will take it from ‘show home’ to ‘your home’.

nicolatravisinteriors.com

These furniture and homeware finds from interior designer Nicola Travis are a little bit boho and a lot less ordinary.

1. WILDE THE LABEL 2. Menu Carrie lamp by NORM ARCHITECTS from PAPER PLANE 3. Interiors expert Nicola Travis 4. Small totem vase by ABS OBJECTS from MAKERS MRKT 5. Archer cabinet by INKAH 6. FOXTROT HOME 7. Grid cushion FOXTROT HOME 8. Vintage brass candleholder from FOURTH STREET HOME 9. Watering can by ZAKKIA from FLUX BOUTIQUE 10. Arnold Circus stool by MARTINO GAMPER from EVERYDAY NEEDS 11. Wabi lightshade by BOHÈME HOME 12. Mauao print by ALICE BERRY 13. Stoneware leaf vase by A&C HOMESTORE 14. Jaxon Lounger by A&C HOMESTORE 15. Ferm Living by A&C HOMESTORE 16. Nicola Travis