How to look contemporary without buying into trends

How to look contemporary without buying into all the trends was a question that came up in my Instagram subscribers’ Style Surgery and I think it’s a goodie so I thought I would share my thoughts with you on how to achieve this balance.

While micro trends move quickly and the item of the moment changes all the time, the overall fashion mood does not. Today it might be ballet core, tomorrow it may be Mob wife and next week it’s coastal chic. One season it’s all about the silver trouser, the next it’s the leopard jean… but throughout all of this there are general threads and moods that underpin the overall feel of the season or seasons.

For me looking contemporary doesn’t mean copying every trend; rather it’s about dressing with intention, understanding the mood of the moment and blending that with your own personal style.

1. Understand the mood

Trends often manifest themselves most noticeably in shape. Think about how skinny jeans were all we had for years and how that has now given way to wider legged silhouettes or how oversized blazers have replaced neater fitting ones. Dress codes in general have softened and relaxed and tailoring is not about the fitted shift dresses but more relaxed pieces – pleated trousers and relaxed tops. If you want to feel current then it’s this that you need to keep in mind.

Time and time again I find that if my clients update the proportions on their bottoms – trousers and denim – that this will make a huge difference to their whole wardrobe.

Now this doesn’t mean you need to throw out everything that doesn’t feel current but let’s take the example of the skinny jean – instead of pairing it with a short, fitted blazer (which will instantly date you) try putting it with a style that is longer and more relaxed. So what can you put together to make your less ‘current’ pieces feel more contemporary?

2. Focus on getting the foundations right

This is multi layered and means not only focussing on pieces that work for your body but also knowing your style and building a wardrobe that reflects that – whether it’s minimalist neutrals, French chic or boho. You can then always add a touch of trend.

I would always advocate building a wardrobe around timeless items – your list may be different to mine – but for me great denim, a white tee, a blazer/boucle jacket, good quality knitwear etc. However, the silhouette of these pieces will reflect the overall mood of the season ie wide leg jeans, wider legged trousers, longer line coats and so on.

The mood will change at some point put the cycles lasts for years not seasons. So at some point you may need to update your foundations but this is certainly not something you do on a seasonal basis.

You can then always add the odd trend pieces if it’s a trend you love and not just because it’s on trend!

3. Accessorise intelligently

Accessories are the easiest and most affordable way to add a smattering of trend to your look. Think about what the odd piece that works for you might be – is it a particular bag style, or maybe it’s an earring? And footwear is another good option – a mesh ballet pump or the Fisherman’s sandal….

If you choose one or two trend led pieces they can do the talking while the rest of your outfit is clean and classic.

4. Colour

Colours are another big marker of what is on trend – we have all been there when you are after a piece in a colour that you love but you cannot find anything because it’s all about something totally different. Sometimes it’s pastels, sometimes it’s brights like this season’s tomato red, sometimes it’s earthy tones like the red wine trend which was everywhere last season… it is incredibly frustrating when the season’s colours don’t align with what you like and what works for your colouring.

But looking at this differently adding a touch of the colour of the season can anchor your look in the present. You don’t have to dress head to toe in it and if you are worried that it isn’t a colour that works for you then keep it away from your face, wear in accessories or footwear and combine with colours that do work.

Feeling comfortably and confidently you is what you are aiming for when you get dressed and that has nothing to do with chasing each and every trend. Understand the mood, adapt this to your personal style and opt for intentional updates and choices to keep your look in the present. But your style – that is definitely not just for one season.

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