Jewel tones? Check. Androgyny? Check. Chunky knits? Check. Midi skirts? Check. ‘60s silhouettes and op art colours? Check. Woolworths brings autumn/winter’s strongest trends and hottest looks straight from the catwalk to your closet. Twitter, facebook and blogging, backstage feeds and viral marketing have accelerated the translation of trends from fashion weeks to fashion wardrobes. To be current is to be immediate. Says Head of Brand Communications at Woolworths, Shaheda Sayed: “We’ve narrowed the gap between runway and retail bringing you an edited, relevant interpretation of the most up to date pieces for autumn/winter 2012, right now”. THE TRENDS Modern basics get a fun, fashionable and affordable update as fashion dances with past decades, waltzing with forties femininity, bowing to androgyny and colouring everything with warm jewel tones. The ‘70s plays itself out with flared trousers and midi skirts combined with feminine blouses in sumptuous satins and silk. Rich fabrics are enhanced by decadent jewel shades of scarlet, ruby, midnight blue and sapphire while textured shearling and fur accents in a palette of rust, burnt amber and ivory complete the opulent offering. Key Item: Pussy Blow Blouse from R299.00 Drop waists, tunics, pea coats, polonecks, box jackets, shift tops, drainpipe trousers and mini lengths nostalgically propel us back to the ‘60s. The silhouette is defined by simple, clean lines that are best left unadorned. Eye popping orange, postbox red, royal blue and monochromatic black and white lend the look a modish beat. Key Item: Skinny Pants from R275.00 Vintage romance comes in the shape of ‘40s inspired tea dress with soft colours, flower prints and lashings of lace. Once reserved for after-dark dressing, shimmer, shine and embellishment pair up with new look knits to become legitimate daywear. Equally alluring is the urban pull toward androgyny. Borrowing from his wardrobe has never been so prevalent. There are button up shirts, cropped mannish trousers, winter shorts, boyish blazers and tomboy boots that lace-up, and sometimes, fold over. The secret is in the styling: throw it all together with effortless attitude. Key Item: Blazer from R450.00 Finally, country looks get an injection of bohemian rhapsody. There are faux fur gilets, brushed cotton checks, Aztec prints and a healthy dose of denim in all its guises. THE NEW KNITS The humble knit has been reinvented as a style statement with opulent jewel tones and chic shapes bringing va-va-voom to the loom. From lush mohair and fine gauges to chunky knits with cable, rope, bobbles, fur textured finishes and Fair Isles patterns in a natural neutral palette – welcome the power of the pullover. Soft Power – The Classic Cardigan: The classic button-down cardigan gets an on-trend update in a range of ‘70s inspired jewel tones and saturated ‘60s hues. Wear it layered over a pussy bow blouse or belted with midi length skirts; team it with skinny jeans and minis for a shock of colourblock or wear it loose over a forties floral tea dress for an air of old world elegance. BOOT CAMP Whether flat, wedged, stacked, or stilettoed, skimming the ankle or grazing the knee, boots with substance are this season’s clear message. Worn with hemlines short to mid length to long, they either add glamour or exude a tougher urban attitude. With so much variety on offer, you can’t put a foot wrong. Shoot from the hip – The Modern Pixie: This shoe-boot hybrid (called a shoot) is a contemporary update on the ‘60s pixie boot. Worn with skinny jeans and box shaped shirts, it gives an instant nod to mod. Elevated Status – The Winter Wedge: For a 70’s flare, for a leg lengthening lift to the 60’s, or for a fresh take on the ‘40s pencil skirt: no difference the decade, the lace-up platform is the best way to wedge your bets for winter. Stick to neutral hues like taupe or camel – then mix it up with jewel tone tights. Urban Edge – The Biker Boot: Fashion shows its edgier side with street style biker boots. Wear them with worn-in, washed-out skinny jeans and a leather jacket layered over a slub cotton tee for a Parisienne rock chic air of easy elegance. Back in the Saddle – The Riding Boot: This winter staple adds an equestrian touch to a simple blazer-and-jeans look and a stylish punch to printed shift dresses. Alternatively, pair them with an Aztec-inspired cape and a felt fedora for dressed-down tribal chic. Off the straight and narrow – The Slouch Boot: Denim shorts, chunky knits and slouch boots that end just above the ankle, wrapped with straps and bowed or buckled at the side, make up a youthful trinity of country cool, offbeat elegance and urban smarts. ACCESSORIES Play Your Fashion Hand – Gloves: There is something that feels very put together and right for now about slipping your hands into a pair of lady-like gloves. And it’s not just their Old Hollywood allure, or the practiced discipline of pulling them off finger by finger. Ultra feminine options in every colour deliver this season’s dramatic message.

Jewel tones? Check. Androgyny? Check. Chunky knits? Check. Midi skirts? Check. ‘60s silhouettes and op art colours? Check. Woolworths brings autumn/winter’s strongest trends and hottest looks straight from the catwalk to your closet.