Top 10 trends to try this fall

By the changing winds and mildly declining temps, I can only assume that fall is slowly approaching the ‘Kong! My Pinterest board is also gradually changing (it’s now dotted with apple this and salted caramel that!) but it’s the fashion and street style photos that I pay the most attention to. After all, Diwali, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas come every year but trends are made to change, baby!

So let’s get on board with my top ten trends we should be rocking for this autumn/winter season! I stopped by JOYCE, Ports 1961 and 3.1 Phillip Lim to provide a little luxe inspiration and then found similar looking looks for less – so you can decide where to save and where to splurge this season!

Left to right: Victoria Beckham (available at JOYCE), Dries Van Noten (available at JOYCE), Ports 1961

1.  WINTER WHITE
I’m not sure if that whole “No White After Labour Day” rule ever applied to anywhere outside the good ol’ U.S. of A, but if it did then rejoice – because it has been gleefully abandoned by fashionistas worldwide! Now you can feel free to boast the blanc all winter long; just be sure to keep the texture and the coverage hearty to match with the weather. That means no open toes and also, a longer sleeve wouldn’t hurt!

Left to right: Club Monaco Eve Wool Coat, Club Monaco Megan Textured Dress, BCBG Alton Moto Jacket

If you want to start small, then go for a simple shift and add a black pump. Feeling like you need more? Throw a white moto jacket over anything and everything you own? Now you can look fresh as the new fallen snow! Wait… this is Hong Kong… what is snow?!

Left to right: Upper Street (available at Polkadot Boutique), DSQUARED (available at JOYCE)

2.  EMERALD GREEN
Take a cue from your Christmas tree and decorate yourself with emerald green! This shade looks great on just about every skin tone (even blondes), so don’t be afraid to go for a little… or a lot! I love this taffeta skirt from Shopbop, which would be the perfect piece for a little holiday shindig.

Left to right: Forever 21 Varsity Jacket, Reiss Lewes Sequin Smoke Jumper, PARTYSKIRTS Amy’s Girlie Skirt

My closet is also getting a new emerald addition soon as I just ordered a pair of custom metallic pumps from Upper Street, which are available at Polkadot Boutique throughout November 2013 or online (check out our full article here). With them being made-to-order in only two weeks, I will be soon set for all the upcoming festivities!

Clockwise, left to right: Balmain (available at JOYCE), Ports 1961, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Ports 1961

3.  LEATHER EVERYTHING
I told you this past summer that you needed a leather something in your wardrobe – do I really need to tell you again?! Well, if you haven’t jumped on the “skin-is-in” train, then do so now! This season, look out for coats, shirts, pants, skirts and dresses in every tone available (even metallics!). If you can dream it, then you can probably find a leather version of it.

Left to right: Zara Metallic Skirt, BCBG Gayl Leather Leggings, BCBG Darra A-Line Dress

All you faux-leather lovers are in luck too! Pretty much every store on the street has a pleather piece to purchase. How fantastic is this BCBG leather dress above?!

Left to right: Ports 1961, Biyan (available at JOYCE), Victoria Beckham (available at JOYCE)

4.  MENSWEAR FABRICS
Of course, menswear is a huge trend already but I am taking this one step further and not only stealing their silhouettes, but also their fabrics! Be it pinstripes, tweed, or wool, these textiles will keep you feeling warm and looking hot. I love the oversize tweed coats popping up in the fashion mags.

Left to right: ASOS Midi Skirt in Tweed Check, River Island Dress, River Island Oversized Coat

Worried that you will melt in HK’s tepid temps? Go for a simple silk slip dress to keep it light and cool underneath, adding a girly base to a boyish look. Or work tweed via a cute dress or skirt instead – result!

Left to right: JOYCE, JOYCE, 3.1 Phillip Lim

5.  PLEATED SKIRTS
In my opinion, pleated skirts are not just a trend but a fashion staple. Nevertheless, they were all over the runways this season as if they were brand new – so buy one (or more) now and save them for decades to come. I still have a black one and a grey one that I bought in 2000 and wear every season (granted they are slightly more high-waisted and less hip-hugging then they were 13 years ago!).

Left to right: Zara Check Print Skirt, BCBG Elsa Sunburst Pleated Skirt, Nishe Kilt Skirt

To freshen up the look, pair your skirt with a low loafer complete with a tassel! I bought these on ASOS and will not only wear them with my old school pleats (literally… as in I wore those skirts in high school) but with cigarette pants and rolled-up skinny jeans all season long.

Left to right: 3.1 Phillip Lim, ASOS Pencil Skirt in Tartan Check

6.  PLAID
Team Sassy (OK… Team Rach & Sabrina) is a HUGE fan of Clueless and we’re feeling quite inspired this fall by the cast’s 53 varieties of plaid! If you need a little direction in your life (“I have direction! –Yeah, towards the mall.”), then have a movie night and re-watch this classic (“The columns date all the way back to 1973”)!

Left to right: H&M Flannel Shirt, Svilu Plaid Kilt Skirt

Our fave is the ASOS tartan below-the-knee pencil skirt, which shows that you are force to be reckoned with when worn to the office! The best part is, depending on the styling, you can take these pieces from the boardroom to backstreet grunge with little more than an untuck of the shirt and the addition of some creepers!

Left to right: Stella McCartney (available at JOYCE), Jil Sander (available at JOYCE), 3.1 Phillip Lim

7.  OVERSIZED COATS
Take one look at these colourful coats and a smile will instantly come across your face. Bring a bit of joy to all those you pass on the streets by layering your look with one of these M&M candy-coloured shades!

Left to right: ASOS Collarless Coat, Y.A.S Orange Henni Coat, ASOS Textured Maxi Coat

Wear them over solids or prints for an easy winter look, or pile over many pieces of a similar shade for an autumn take on colour blocking!

Left to right: Biyan (available at JOYCE), Gloverall Monty Cape

8.  CAPES
I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to see capes on the runways! There are so many reasons why I love capes:

a) They are incredibly ladylike and float around you when you walk.
b) They add instant drama to a look (even more so when you add big dark sunglasses and a chic chignon).
c) They are perfect for the warmer HK weather, as you won’t slowly melt underneath the fabric.

Left to right: ASOS Biker Cape Coat, Zara Checked Studio Cape

d) They are perfect to wear over your eveningwear, as they are so much more alluring then an overcoat.
e) It’s a cape, for goodness sake! So you can be an adult and still feel like a kid running around playing superhero!

Argument made. Everyone should own a cape. The End.

Yulia Kondranina (available at JOYCE)

9.  FOLK PIECES
There’s no reason to leave your Boho Betty soul behind when summer departs. Layer those free-floating pieces with tights, over the knee boots and a floppy hat, and you are set!

Left to right: ASOS Jacket in Mixed Print, H&M Chiffon Dress, Forever 21 Dress

Clockenflap is a great excuse to give the folk trend a go, but don’t let the fun end there! Add fringe, prints, and tribal beats and share the love for the many moons ahead!

Left to right: Dries Van Noten (available at JOYCE), Manish Arora (available at JOYCE), Oscar de la Renta (available at JOYCE)

10.  EMBELLISHED EVERYTHING!
YAY! The holidays give you (and me – this is how I earned the nickname, SaBLINGna!) the perfect excuse to wear sequins on a Sunday, feathers on Friday, and studs for any and every other day! Don’t just feel that these are meant for the night only though; if you mix your embellished bits with your basics, you can make these dazzling duds perfect for every occasion.

Left to right: ASOS Petite Jacket with Ribbon Embellishment, Forever 21 Sequin Tiger Pullover, House Of Harlow 1960 Jagger Pants

Try pairing a bedazzled coat with a white t-shirt and rolled-up boyfriend jeans for an approachable take on the trend. Have a relaxed sequined sheath that you want to wear to a more casual affair? Add some chunky ankle boots and a thick belt to ground the look. Maybe even try a black baseball cap or beanie to make the look even more urban cool if that’s your style.

Hopefully you’ve found a few new inspiring styles for the season ahead. No matter what trends you choose to embrace, make sure you enjoy what you are wearing! That’s the real trick though – wear things you love and that you feel good in, and you can mix and match your way to your own sartorial paradise!

List of Hong Kong store locations:

3.1 Phillip Lim  3 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
2113 0311 

BCBG Max Azria  11 Pedder Street, Central, Hong Kong
2868 9873 

BCBG Max Azria  3 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
2118 3508 

– Club Monaco: See all stores in HK here

– H&M: See all stores in HK here
– JOYCE: See all stores in HK here