This report is compiled by Laura Emerald
Heritage
Designers were beating a new drum for autumn/winter 2008 – gone were the arty, whimsical prints and flowery blooms of summer, and in their place tartans, checks, plaids and tweeds, combined with military details, all perfect for the coming winter season. What better to wear on Fireworks night than a bold as brass military coat, and tartan for Christmas – it’s almost as traditional as turkey itself.
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Tartan and plaid was big news for autumn/winter 2008. In New York it was punky at Marc Jacobs, in Milan D&G channelled the Bay City Rollers while iconic American designer Ralph Lauren did classic tartans and plaids that nodded to his label’s country-chic heritage with aristocratic undertones in the shape of plumed hats and equestrian detailing like this horse bit belt.
Lauren’s vision for tartan is the smart way to inject fashion savvy in to your winter wardrobe without looking like you’re channelling a1980s punk vibe. In fact this jacket is such a key look it features at the centre of Lauren’s A/W 08 ad campaign – confirmation enough that the tartan jacket is a new winter must-have.
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The classic winter perennial, tweed, was all over the catwalk. At Bill Blass in New York Peter Som created a collection fit for Park Avenue princesses and Manhattan business women, full of inspiration for chic city dressing and plenty of ideas for how to look smart for work this winter. Unlike brighter tartans or stark black anyone can wear tweed – which looks best tailored in to a sharp, well cut suit.
A belted jacket like Som’s kept the look feminine while teaming tweed with shiny croc accessories and gold hardware added a modern edge to the look.
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Military details appear on the catwalk season after season, so you can be guaranteed it’s a trend that never goes out of fashion. Designers can’t resist the smart polish of gold buttons, epaulettes and cord details. Temperley led the charge with the quintessential military jacket, teamed with everything from evening dresses to leggings and boots. This jacket adds instant cool without being too obvious and is a piece that works just as well on a weekend country walk as it does dressed up for a night out.
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This season Michael Kors gave a master class in lady of the manor chic. Think luxurious camel coats, ladylike suiting, luxe fabrics such as cashmere and silk and this vintage winter floral print. Prints were important on the catwalk this season and this was the answer if you don’t want to wear paisley or plaid - grown up and glamorous, alluding to Hollywood’s screen goddesses of days gone by vintage floral prints are the big sister to summer’s girlie blooms. The perfect way to add colour and femininity to autumnal shades, chunky knits and coats.
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For your list of essential garments
to add to your wardrobe to make this Heritage fashion look work, look at
Heritage in High street.
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