TIME FOR CHANGE

It’s no secret that London girls wear black.

Black is so practical for the tube, the weather, the work dress code. It’s so flattering on so many – not all, but even those who won’t admit it’s not their best shade, mix it in.

Black can make most other things work, black included. No need to change – if it ain’t broke, why fix it?

But when it comes to colour, the story is quite a different one. It’s harder. More noticeable. Less anonymous. More, well, colourful. Which is ideal for seasonal change, especially in the autumn. The seasonal change is with us every day, as the clocks make the days seem so much darker. The leaves are falling, brown and rusty, and inside we need a bit of cheering up.

Mary Katrantzou to the rescue. As the designer has grown in confidence and moved away from her highly recognisable prints, the clothes have become ever more desirable. And wearable.

Mary Katrantzou AW15

By summer time, it’s more manageable for all of us. Change is something we are all ready for.

Roksanda does colour beautifully. Even if yellow isn’t your thing she makes it look like it is.

Roksanda SS16

With this flowing fabric, she convinces me it’s a good idea. Which is unlikely to be true.

Alice Temperley did a good job on the colour yellow recently too. The mannish hats and the casual footwear appeal, giving a nonchalance to this organic shade of egg yolk. With next Spring/Summer in mind, that is.

Temperley SS16 shows us the way to the sunshine

Jonathan Saunders, on the other hand, does have some easier ways to wear colour. If reds and pinks are your thing more than dazzling yellows.

Jonathan Saunders AW15

Well, less yellow in any case. There’s a lot to be said for a colourful coat and his sweaters, ever reminiscent of his Scottish design background, really stand out and ask to keep you cosy. Hello, they say, I am colourful but friendly. You don’t have to change, you can just look brighter.

Which, after all, has to be the best message of all.