By Annette Sanfilippo
Here we are in December! I can’t believe it’s only another 30 days or so until we celebrate and bring in a new year. That means a dress-up or two or three. Though I am still putting away outfits from Spring Carnival, I can’t help already thinking about looks for ‘the party month’ ahead.
Oh… what to wear?
I could start rolling off all the trends for 25/26, but we might end up with a ten-page editorial. The key to survive dressing this month is one word: versatility. No doubt your diaries are already filling rapidly. And as the days progress we may find ourselves with multiple functions on the same date or deep in the conga line of invites and soirees stacked one after the other. By versatility I mean we need to keep our wardrobe choices a little simple to help us stay organised (if that’s even possible) and tick a few things off the to-do list.
‘Ultra-modern minimalism’ is what we are labelling this season’s looks. Good ol’ linen takes the forefront from dresses, culottes, and tops in clean simple silhouettes. Combinations of mixing man-made textiles such as viscose, lyocell and modal have breathed new life into the ever- faithful linen taking that crisp crushing factor away and making it far more ideal to invest in. Clever tailoring with this newly blended, fine-tuned fabric will create polished and effortless pieces to elevate with statement accessories.
From afternoon charcuterie to rooftop cocktails, not unlike a good recipe, you just need a few hero ingredients, and you can change your outfit up to a Oh là là! ensemble. There is also a nod to a touch of vintage flair with lace and bows and romantic details like flowers, brooches, and embellishments. Choose powder pastels like hues of grey blue and stoney whites to keep in the safe zone and those accessories will help complement and style your look to suit your many moods.
Sunglasses are the focal ‘must have’ accessory for summer and apart from the standout colour choices in vibrant and bold colours like emerald, fiery reds, and electric purples, they will eclipse the face and be nothing short of statement. Protecting your eyes is always fashionable.
Look for bold, unstructured bags that are finished with textured fabrics, embossed leather, or bespoke metallic hardware.
This summer, bracelets become chunky cuffs, earrings have their moment, and handbags will look like luxury carry-ons. Look for bold, unstructured bags that are finished with textured fabrics, embossed leather, or bespoke metallic hardware.
We have had a real mindset shift towards individual expression which is seeing us move away from trends that require us to conform and delving back into our wardrobes for a cool find. Choosing a mix of practical expressive pieces leans us into re-use and sustainability, a strongly supported and reinforced culture that many celebrities and social media influencers are tapping into.
Time is of the essence, too, this season, and there is an appeal for the ‘quiet luxury’ aesthetic. Unique and high-quality items like watches are making a wearable comeback and it’s driving a renewed interest for collectors and fashionistas, so maybe pop the phone and smart watches aside and flick your wrist to tell the time once again…there’s a novel idea!
Finally, to top off our versatile celebratory attire we need to start at the bottom! Over the years we have had a good run wearing trainers and blinged-up sneakers with just about every genre of clothing, but I think they may have done their dash. Not unlike recent times when the guys gave up wearing ties. At some point we need to get back to wearing some stylish footwear. Ladies, you may have boxed up your heels but pretty platformed sandals and glitzy kitten heeled flip flops are trying to win our hearts again. It will be hard to leave the laces for a while, but when you look around at all of the other options, (yes, there are plenty that don’t pinch your toes.), you won’t miss them! Is this the end for the iconic stiletto? Say it isn’t so!
So, whatever you’re celebrating this month, experiment, be adventurous and playful with your outfits. As we rebound off the recent Spring Carnival and all its colour and excitement let’s find some confidence to dress up, show up, and look the best we can be. Bring on the party season even if it comes along with that old favourite Mariah Carey song and enjoy all the splendor of December.
Merry Christmas and happy shopping!
Fashionably Yours,
Annette