Autumn Winter 2019: the fashion trends you need to know

With the fashion month roundabout over for another season, thoughts here at the Telegraph fashion desk turned to the trends that have emerged from the shows in New York, London, Milan and Paris which we might actually be wearing come autumn. Spoiler: we will be giving micro bags a miss.

But there are plenty of trends to choose from: take classic capes and heritage checks for some seasonal starters, then head through to silky slips and dainty shoes, and even a new way to tie your scarf.

Here are our top 12 trends you need to know for Autumn Winter 2019...

Up the baggies

Ideally worn with a chunky flatform shoe to allow the fabric to bunch around the ankles, baggy trousers walked casually along the catwalks at Loewe, Chanel and Gucci. Worn high over the hip, these slouchy slacks came in heavy tailored fabrics and neutral colours. Pockets essential.

Dainty does it

We were reaching to the back of our wardrobes for our pointy pumps after seeing a more elegant line of shoe showcased last month, but there’s no need to bulk buy Party Feet pads. Next season the heel is keeping it low at kitten height - see Christopher Kane, Christian Dior and Emilia Wickstead for details. Just add ankle socks.

Just checking

Checks and tartan: not groundbreaking for an autumn winter season, but always welcome, and there was more than usual on show for next season. Even the master of heritage checks - Burberry - mixed it up a bit with some grid-like designs which were a mile away from its signature plaid, while Victoria Beckham showed a cracking three-piece blazer/cape/skirt combo.

The long and the shorts of it

Knee-high or even longer leather boots, preferably with a bit of a slouch in the leather, were everywhere. Always with a block heel, but in any colour that takes your fancy (we love the chalky off-white at Dries Van Noten). Perhaps the easiest and most flattering look to adopt is Celine’s long boots with shorts or culottes.

Give it the slip

A slinky, silky fabric is the name of the game when choosing a new frock for next season, but there are myriad choices when it comes to the shape. From floor-grazing gowns at Philosophy, to bohemian billowy dresses with appealing sleeves at Chloe, this democratic trend will provide something for everyone.

Knots landing

Once you’ve decided on your scarf style - we saw printed silk at Celine, quilted bright colours at House of Holland, and trailing taffeta at Roksanda - you just need to master the new season knot. The key is to leave a large loop sticking out, or ideally, sticking up, like half a bow. Head to YouTube for tutorial videos.

Waisting time

To balance out the new proportions that next season brings with it - wide leg trousers, A-line skirts and broad shoulders - many houses showed waists nipped in with wide belts. At Acne Studios and J.W. Anderson, they gave shape to jackets, while Off-White used contrasting sporty colours to break up bright long-sleeve dresses.

Shoulder pump

We’re not suggesting that most people will be buying into the kind of shoulder volume seen at Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton and Alexander McQueen, because that would have you shimmying sideways through doorways. But the more subtle power shoulders at Givenchy will no doubt make their way to the tailoring on the high street in no time.

Tights spot

Finally, fashion’s obsession with bare legs seems to be abating, to the welcome relief of shivering style addicts everywhere. And while some designers opted for a practical 100 denier black opaque (hallelujah!), statement hosiery is also in order. If you lose the Phantom of the Opera-style mask and spiked necklace, even Gucci’s purple lace feels doable.

Capes of good hope

Great news for anyone who has been carefully storing their long wool capes away from the moths, because they’re back in a big way for next season. For the brave, Valentino and Marc Jacobs went bold with block colours and animal prints. Meanwhile, Miuccia Prada had a more subtle take, with lace over-capes and even military-style bomber jacket versions.

Think pink (and red)

Autumn Winter 2019 is all about creative colour combinations, and our favourite is also one of the most widely used: pink and red. Usually at the tomato and fuschia ends of the spectrum, this look works particularly well with lots of long layers, as seen at Jacquemus and Valentino. If you can find a red carpet to be photographed on while you’re wearing it, all the better.

Mixed media

Next season is a joy for the eclectic dresser, because along with the look-at-me tights, floral prints and checks on offer, there’s also licence to wear them all at once. At Versace, plaid skirts were split thigh high to reveal silk slips with colourful lace trims. Elsewhere, Preen by Thornton Bregazzi spliced long tartan half-mini-half-maxis with lace petticoats. An easy look to DIY.