Colour Blocks - October 2008

This week I found myself a beautiful wool mix ¾ length sky blue coat. Slightly old lady like, but with a pair of cowboy boots, red jeans and a big purple scarf, it looks like the latest from Paul and Joe. Except my coat was £8.99 in Oxfam, Paul and Joe’s is £899.

Since the economical environment is changing it is useful be creative.Therefore this week’s column has to be about recycling trends and economising with garments.

We are waking up to a reality I think many have expected and yet when it hits it is almost unreal. Natural resources are not infinite, neither is our disposable income. So in times like this…

Since knitted dresses made a huge comeback last autumn they will have entered wardrobes around Henley as well. Following the latest trend reports, it looks like they will be staying in your wardrobe for a while. They are incredibly useful garments: warm, easy and excellent for dressing up and down. Paired with colour block patterns they are definitely the "It" trend this season, providing a sophisticated modern-looking winter style choice.

Colour blocking was a refreshing trend in the spring and it is still a hot and flattering trend in the autumn collections. There is a tendency of wearing black with a colour, however colour blocking is about wearing colour with colour. Let this include trousers, tops, dresses, tights, handbags and shoes.

Color block clothes add a graphic element to any look. They transform simple clothes into architectural pieces. You can wear different shades of the same colour and you can wear different colour blocks together. It creates a vibrant and warm look for those cold winter days.

Some of you will have had your colours done and, even though you find it helpful, don’t be too rigid about it as colour looks different depending on the fabric it has been dyed on. Silk, cotton, wool and synthetics respond very different to dyes

Have a good look through your wardrobes before hitting the stores in despair. Find the core items you’d like to build on then hit the stores. Charity shops are a good place to start. Whatever you do, spend your monies carefully, there is less and less of them.

If you would like advice or have any questions please email style@asbjorgdunker.co.uk