Rethinking the wardrobe for autumn and winter

Snug: Wood Wood sweaters stocked at Goodhood

With the onset of darkening days, the autumn wardrobe is fast becoming a necessary reality. And though half the fun is to rummage in the spare suitcase or under the bed for last winter’s forgotten favourites, a few investments can bring excitement and renewed enthusiasm for the season. Luckily, East London provides a myriad of inspiration through its resident designers and boutiques.

Think Pink

Soft pink, wintery hues took centre stage at LFW AW 13, bringing light to the standard winter wardrobe staples of black and Burgundy. Bubblegum, dusky and fuchsia varieties featured in collections by the likes of Eudon Choi and Dalston-based Simone Rocha. House of Hackney, a home interiors and clothing label famed for their renaissance and Victoriana prints, brought a soft touch of watery pink to their dresses’ floral prints.

Moody Floral

Moody blooms adorned clothes at Christopher Kane’s show back in February, in most spectacular style. Kane, another East London-based designer, created beautiful 3D  orals in mesh and feather-like fabric, played out in shades of deep red wine. Label Walid, also stocked at LN-CC created a range of beautiful silk kimono bomber jackets in shades of plum, dusty pinks and fuchsias.

Statement Pieces

Wintertime is the perfect season for statement pieces, bringing frivolity and celebration to the gloom. Oversized, embellished, textured and various other versions of outrageous featured in the AW collections, from Hackney based Martina Spetlova’s leather sweaters in soft blue and contrasting black (stocked at LN-CC.com) to duo Meadham Kirchho ’s Victoriana, patent wearing chambermaids and mourning mothers. Beyond Retro, the vintage emporium with stores in Dalston and Brick Lane, does a great line in party pieces, with rails upon rails dedicated to sequins, tulle tutus and vintage glamour.

Sportswear

Many designers played with the darker side of sportswear and streetwear for the AW13 collections, inspired perhaps by the US’s Ghetto Goth movement, which blends the gothic with the urban. Primitive London in Shacklewell Lane stock unisex monochrome baseball tops by Japanese label Banzai. Wood Wood – a Berlin brand stocked at Goodhood Store in Shoreditch – created blotted black and white sweatshirts and trousers for their club collection, inspired by the club scene, punk DIY and streetwear.

Britpop

And so the 90s aesthetic continues, exploring the richness and diversity of the decade.  is time, AW 13/14 heralded the renaissance of the Britpop aesthetic, with labels such as YMC (who have a shop on Brick Lane and are stocked in Shoreditch’s Goodhood Store) reimagining the plaid shirt, with a boys- t multiple check variety. Hub shop on Stoke Newington Church Street stocks some tasteful parka jackets, which come in black – as well as the classic khaki version.

Rosie Higham-Stainton blogs at
rosiepapercuts.blogspot.co.uk

Stockists featured:

LN-CC / ln-cc.com
Primitive London / primitivelondon.co.uk
Goodhood Store / goodhoodstore.com
Hub Shop / hubshop.co.uk
Beyond Retro / beyondretro.com