Feature

Famous silhouettes by the grand couturiers of the 1950s, 60s and 70s have inspired the design team at H&M this autumn. Legendary couture cuts are updated in sweatshirt materials and wool jersey, and teamed with sports pieces and basic classics like jeans, T-shirts and knitwear. Although the Victorian era is still important, there is also a nod to Scandinavian peasant romantic styles.

“The overall look is clean and simple, focusing on cut and quality. Details and accessories are chosen with great care. Buttons, buckles and ribbed cuffs and waistbands are all important for autumn’s couture-inspired looks. Key accessories are patent. There’s also croc bags and belts, chains, tiaras, hair bands and hair clips,” says H&M’s head of design, Margareta van den Bosch.

Autumn’s romantic style is either soft and modest or sensual and dramatic. Romanticism takes two different directions, both with regard to colours and styling. There are light neutrals, greys, browns and soft vegetable dyes to dramatic black and whites. Tailored styles include jackets, waistcoats and coats, long wide skirts, cropped or long men’s trousers and worker pants.

Heavy knits or feminine hand knits, romantic blouses and granddad shirts work well in combination. Several key items for this season are underwear-inspired pieces such as granddad jerseys, long johns, tank tops, chemises and corsets. Dresses are important too, from Victorian style dresses to black ‘widow dresses’.

Retro couture and British classic style provide great inspiration. A couture-style jacket or coat with chimney collar and 3⁄4 length sleeves, a dressed blouse, a pencil skirt, a shift dress and an A-line dress. The colour palette is equally familiar, including camel beige, grey, navy, off-white and red. Garments are updated in jersey or sweatshirt materials with new details like press studs and zips. There are also British classics with new colours and details, such as the brightly coloured Argyle sweater, the shrunken tweed blazer, the dogtooth check mini-skirt and club striped scarf. For men there are 60s style slim-cut or double-breasted suits with large lapels and wide trousers. Shirts are important, as well as updated knitwear. Outerwear includes lumber jackets and overcoats.

Details are in focus and are few but well chosen. Buttons, buckles, seams, pockets, linings, collars, cuffs and ribs are carefully chosen for quality and functionality. Accessories are equally refined. There are club-striped scarves, leather or suede gloves, wide or narrow belts and braces. Patent shoes, boots and bags are hot for the autumn, and jewellery is classic and simple, with chains and pearls.

Harmony, a one-off collection, will also be available in all H&M shops from September.
The collection’s hallmarks are soft and easy, feminine body-skimming shapes that excel the conventional boundaries between evening clothes, home wear and athletic wear. The Harmony collection mixes pieces to create looks that are both comfortable and comforting.
“By mixing leggings, wrap tops, cashmere jumpers and knitted accessories with
tailored pieces and denim, Harmony reminds us that fashion rules are meant to be
broken and that being comfortable is the key to personal style,” says van den Bosch.

Picture caption: Autumn’s romantic style is either soft and modest or sensual and dramatic.

MyVillage, 15th August