Hello, I am Evey. Fashion agent, stylist, and television presenter on QVC. I specialise in styling for ladies over forty and have a true passion for fashion, Moreover, I’m delighted to sit on Become's panel of experts and it was wonderful to chat fashion with some of you at Become’s Menopause Workshop last weekend. This month’s blog is all about Autumn Trends.

What’s Hot this Autumn?

Autumn is a season of contrast and change. My mind envisages weekend walks, clad in my beanie hat and warm long gloves, jumping through fallen leaves to return home, rosy cheeked. Shorter days, longer nights, snuggling up on the sofa whenever the opportunity arises, keeping cosy in soft cashmere socks...

So what follows here are highlights from some of the fabulous Autumn trends that graced the catwalks. We’re about to go into a season of comfy chunky knits and heavier materials, so my advice here is to wear the lightest weight of fabric as, for many of us, summer is a permanent climate. We’re not wanting to add more warmth from our clothes when we’re already feeling the heat! Personally, I do love cashmere but since entering the menopause, my internal thermostat has been kick started with a strong flame. I now favour lighter-weight knits that are not too tight. Most collections offer trans-seasonal styles, which means that we can keep wearing them throughout the year. 

Animal print

Animal print, in my eyes, is timeless and can be worn thought the year. This Autumn, it was a dominant theme that ran throughout the collections. Zebra, leopard and cheetah prints to name just a few. Zara unveiled a huge animal-print collection with close to 64 pieces! For my birthday, I treated myself to a leopard-print trouser suit which I had been lusting after for several months before it went into the sale. This suit works amazingly well worn separately, or together. It looks great layered over my black Become vest top. The reason that I love this particular look is because it’s stylish, pretty unique and it combines two of the biggest trends for this Autumn. Choose from adding the trend in as an accessory (by means of a scarf or bag) or teaming a simple black jumper with animal-print maxi skirt or trousers, or even dressing in head-to-toe leopard print! Either way, you'll most definitely be in with the fash pack.

Shades of brown

Pretty much every shade of brown can be found in the Autumn offerings and some may say that brown is definitely the new black. It’s more than acceptable to wear brown next to black, equally I love to team browns alongside jewel pinks, winter whites, and one of my all-time favourites – mustard yellow. Taking me back to my teens I’m reminded of a brown corduroy skirt that I wore passionately. I look forward to finding a similar version, to wear with a printed shirt and cowboy ankle boots. I also love my two-piece paisley print ‘pyjama-esque’ suit in brown and gold. It’s an outfit that you may have seen me wear in prior posts. I’d also recommend wearing a piece of knitwear in brown next to printed trousers, allowing the leopard or check print to be an option should you choose. Depending on the shade, brown is a colour that works across many complexions and hair colours, and is an elegant and useful colour to have as a neutral.

White boots

I keep looking at white boots and their calling is getting stronger and stronger! The ones that are currently ringing in my ears are again from Zara, however there are lots of choices out there depending on the look you want to achieve. For elegance, opt for a pointed toe. If you want to team with denims, choose a light or dark wash denim shade for the best effect. A glossy leather looks equally fab next to checked trousers too. Tap into the Victoriana trend with a lace up and a pointy toe. Or mix it up with a feminine dress or skirt, worn with a chunky heeled ankle boot.

Hiking boots

Yes, you are reading correctly :) Who would have thought that the hiking boot would be one of the trends that the fashionistas would be sporting for AW18. It’s unexpectedly scaling the heights of style and not purely reserved for the Highlands. They were worn throughout London Fashion Week, and will continue on into Spring/Summer 2019 too. Luckily for me, I’ve held onto several pairs of hiking boots that I have loved over the years and now revived, to ensure that not only will I be super comfortable, but stylish too. I suggest you hike around to find a pair that work for you too, here are a few as seen in Vogue.

Trouser suits

I really am loving the return of the trouser suit. There is something that shouts out 'style' whenever I see a woman wearing one. Once again, it’s a trend that dips in and out of fashion’s revolving circle. Confession time! I treated myself to a second birthday pressie. It's eleven months early, but who knows when the right gift from myself will announce its arrival...! I decided on pinstripe over check, but it was a pretty close call. Whichever you go for, I love to wear suits with a long or short sleeve tee, a white shirt, or one of the vest tops from Become. For footwear, go for lace-up brogues (metallic is a fab and neutral colour), white trainers (there are heaps out there to choose from) or a high heel.

Tweed

One of fashion’s more robust trends for obvious reasons, and not only for the Royals to wear at Balmoral. Tweed is warm and versatile and almost every influencer and editor on the front rows wore a checked tweed blazer. Personally, I like to pair fabrics unexpectedly. I would favour a slouchy jacket over a pretty floral or prairie style dress, or a tweed pencil skirt with a chunky knit. However you choose to wear your tweed, you will be a fashionista for sure.

Corduroy

Looking past all of the leopard print on the high street right now, you’ll come across another trend that’s unavoidable for autumn: corduroy. This '70s-style ridged fabric has long been the uniform of academics, and actually reminds me of my old Geography teacher whom a lot my peers had a crush on at school (but that's for another day to share!). Many of the catwalk collections saw brown cords teamed with chunky knits. This season, cords are on offer in every style and colour palette. I like to wear my favourite colour – mustard – with a soft grey knit.

I do hope that you have enjoyed my blog, which takes you through the door into Autumn with style. I look forward to hearing about any trends that I have tempted you to try.

Enjoy – and keep warm and snuggly.

With love as always

Evey x

Find out more about me at: www.eveyamerykurlander.com or join me on my Facebook page.