Your Wardrobe, Your Way
With
Beauise Ferwerda
When it comes to fashion seasons, whatever the humble pre-fall 2022 lacks in showmanship, it more than makes up for in wearability – not to mention desirability. Yes, these may be practical clothes, but that doesn’t make them any less impactful, says GILLIAN BRETT. Here, Dutch model BEAUISE FERWERDA showcases the ultimate mid-season masterclass, from high-low layering to after-dark dressing
“Pre-fall is a palette cleanser,” says NET-A-PORTER market director Libby Page. “It’s a chance to build your wardrobe your way, based on your own individual style.” So, if you’re in search of perfect basics to plug the holes in your closet – sleek shirting to elevate your nine-to-five look, a timeless trench to shrug on over everything, impeccable separates to play a supporting role to your statement runway pieces, a smattering of classic eveningwear options – now is a great time to shop for them.
“Pre-fall is like fall/winter’s cooler sister… It is subtly experimental and an inspirational dynamo, while still looking relaxed and nonchalant,” explains NET-A-PORTER fashion director Kay Barron. “Basically, pre-fall ’22 is the girl we all want to be.”
Here, we share the key pieces and styling tricks for nailing that in-between-season style.
“Three WORDS to live by: learn to layer. Pre-fall ’22 is about PILING it on, in case you need to take some of it off because of a CHANGE in weather”
Kay Barron, fashion director, NET-A-PORTER
Perfect the art of layering
“Three words to live by: learn to layer,” advises Barron. “PF22 is about piling it on, in case you need to take some of it off because of a change in weather.” The key here is playing with textures and dress codes, as well as balancing proportions. Sporty separates become lunch-date-appropriate when styled with a directional yet timeless trench coat that lends instant polish. For this shoot, Givenchy’s cool cotton-gabardine trench is paired with retro shorts from Sporty & Rich; it’s exactly the kind of high-low look that Sporty & Rich founder Emily Oberg might be spotted wearing out and about in LA. “[My brand] is very much about the combination of sportswear and elevated dressing,” says Oberg. “The balance is what I love, and I think you need to mix in tailored pieces in order to not look too casual or underdressed.”
Take your LBD out on the town with SNEAKERS, and go from boardroom to bar by switching your tailored pants for a SEQUIN skirt. Is there anything COOLER than a scintillaing mini with a masculine blazer?
How to dress down after dark
As the period before party season, when we’re not quite ready for heels and high-octane glamour but are craving a little sparkle on darker days, we can take a more relaxed approach to after-dark dressing. Take your LBD out on the town with sneakers, and go from boardroom to bar by switching your tailored pants for a sequin skirt. Is there anything cooler than a scintillaing mini with a masculine blazer? It’s a style philosophy that Isabel Marant – fashion’s reigning cool girl – would surely approve of. For PF22, the Parisian designer explained how a woman can dress in a way where comfort and sex appeal co-exist. “She wears something super-tight, but she has a very big coat over it – it’s not in your face,” Marant told Vogue. In essence, this look is about tempering lingerie-inspired pieces and micro-hemlines with looser shapes – think bra tops under blazers, and mini dresses with long overcoats. “The bralet has shifted from sexy evening piece to something more understated, which I love,” says Page. “I’ll be pairing it with an oversized shirt and high-waisted pants.”
Invest in hero separates
Pre-fall is all about the separates; there is a mix-and-match feel to its seasonless sensibility. It’s also a prime opportunity for trying out trending silhouettes in a more dialed-down manner. While runway looks come with a certain degree of razzle-dazzle, pre-fall’s pared-back take on key seasonal trends ensures a timelessness that ups their investment value. “Luxurious and versatile essentials are key to any stylish woman’s closet, as they are staple pieces that you can wear with any trend-forecasted styles,” says Courtney Michelle Ogilvie, founder of Les Tien, an LA-based brand that creates dreamy basics with a sports-luxe feel. “More importantly, they are classics that can be worn from each season to the next,” she adds. This kind of longevity is key to building a more conscious closet, and it pays to shop early in the season to find the best pieces. Truly, searching for your winter coat is a wise way to spend your poolside scrolling as we reach the end of summer. “The secret is to buy it before it is quite cold enough to wear it. Bank it now so you don’t miss out later,” advises Barron.
RELATED READING
PRE-FALL PERFECTION
11 items