5 Key Accessory Trends For AW14
As the dark evenings close in and warm summer days and lighter layers become a distant memory, our thoughts naturally begin to turn to prepping our wardrobe for winter.
Accessories come into their own during the cold-weather season – we layer up with scarves, hats and gloves to keep warm, and opt for sturdier shoes to tackle the inclement conditions underfoot.
Focusing on the pivotal role accessories play in our winter wardrobe, we pick our five favourite trends from the genre for AW14…
1. Slouchy Bags
While smart structured styles are great for the office, this season’s appetite for softer bag constructions is perfect for off-duty days and a practical choice for travel. Backpacks with sporty finishes, canvas duffles and suede holdalls are a strong feature across AW14 collections.
Military and nautical uniform has always been an influential element in menswear design, and the prevalence of the duffle bag this season is in keeping with this theme.
Spacious and easy to carry, sailor duffles are a comfortable alternative to backpacks and make a practical cabin carry on – you’ll easily be able to fit all your in-flight essentials in it, and still have space leftover for a cheeky bottle or two from duty free.
Unless you’ve been walking around with your eyes closed for the past few years, you would have noticed that backpacks are back in a big way. A favourite of the modern on the go gent, urban cyclist and outdoor adventurer, this season sees athletic finishes, softer silhouettes and artisan treatments give a fresh face to this most functional of bag designs.
Clever details such as media pockets to protect your tech devices and technical finishes nodding to sport luxe style are just some of the features of AW14’s offering. Check out
The holdall and tote are silhouettes that never date, and make the perfect on-the-road companions. This season’s relaxed suede and canvas designs are capacious and stylish, allowing you to squeeze in all your belongings – from essential paperwork, laptops and lunch to your 24-hour wardrobe for a smart weekend getaway. Burberry, Want Les Essentials de La Vie, John Lewis and Mulberry offer a superb selection of slouchy holdalls and totes.
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2. Structured Hats
Hats have always played a focal role in fashion throughout history, and while we no longer live in a world where leaving your house with your head uncovered is considered a social disgrace, headgear has made a comeback as a practical style statement.
This season’s appetite for traditional structured hats has seen the trilby, fedora and pork pie become the headwear of choice for the sartorially-minded.
Traditional milliners like Christys’, Olney, Borsalino and Lock & Co. have reignited interest in these vintage styles by adding fresh twists to the heritage silhouettes – incorporating features such as wider brims, bold colours and textured fabrics for a more contemporary feel.
It might not be the best look to pair a trilby with a suit and overcoat combination unless you’re bound for a 1940s party, but combined with a leather jacket, chunky knit and slim-cut denim, it can make a stylish urban statement.
Choosing a style crafted from a quality wool felt will also keep you warm during the cold winter months, while adding a suitably natty vintage slant to your look.
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3. Oversized Scarves
Faraway lands have made their presence felt within menswear for a number of seasons now – from Middle-Eastern kelim-style motifs to bright and bold geometric prints from South America, Africa and South East Asia, the influence of indigenous cultures is hard to miss.
The oversized blanket scarf seen in a number of collections for AW14 owes its roots to this fascination with the exotic. Inspired by men’s tribal apparel of sub-Saharan African communities and traditional poncho styles from Latin America, the blanket scarf brings a statement cultural accent to this year’s accessory selection.
Leading the way this season is Burberry Prorsum with its ‘Painterly Journey’ collection, which was inspired by the British St. Ives artists of the 20th century.
High street stalwarts Topman and
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4. Heavy Duty Boots
Frost-riddled pavements, freak snow flurries and slippery layers of leaves make a solid pair of boots an essential component of any British autumn/winter wardrobe.
The intrepid explorer trend, seen across many runways and collections this season, borrows from the practical apparel of the great explorers and mountaineers of the last century.
Hiking-inspired boots are a hero footwear silhouette for AW14, with designs from Bally, Fracap, ohw? and Bellfield ticking all the right boxes. And they’re not just for alpine pursuits – explorer style has officially conquered the city, so pair them with your casual urban attire for a considered juxtaposition.
Heritage brogue boots with thick, durable grip soles are another great option for gents who prefer a bit more of a traditional look to their footwear, and combine equally well with denim, cords or trousers.
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5. Luxe Leather Gloves
The time has passed when a thin pair of plain wool gloves sufficed for the cold-weather months. Traditional leather versions and contemporary twists on classic designs are a key investment to keep your fingers frost-free this winter. Opt for a fitted and streamlined pair and remember to measure your glove size accurately for the perfect fit.
Leather gloves with fur, cashmere or wool linings are ideal for those who really feel the chill. British glove maker Dents have been manufacturing since 1777 and provide a wide range of high quality styles, while London-based brand Sage Brown also offers a superb collection, including rabbit fur and silk lined gloves that are exceptionally warm and comfortable to wear.
Looking for something slightly more individual? Dual-tone driving gloves are great for adding a dash of colour to muted winter looks, while sheepskin gloves are ideal for sub-zero days and acknowledge this season’s big shearling trend.
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Final Word
Whether your aim is to maintain a solid footing on the ground, combat the chill or express your individualism, accessories have quickly become an essential part of our winter wardrobe.
And these days, with such a wide variety of well designed, practical and artful creations on offer, cold-weather accessories are as much about functionality as they are making a style statement.
But what are your favourite AW14 accessories? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below…
