2016 has played a strong hand of fashion trends, accommodating everyone from the sartorially sophisticated to the experimental maximalist. As always, garments such as denim shorts and fur coats have made an annual comeback, but the past twelve months have also witnessed multiple refreshing revivals and inventive introductions too.

This year, the twist on jeans finally went further than an acid wash or turned-up hem. Vividly coloured floral embroidery, beaded embellishment and ‘reconstructed’ designs were the boldest styles on offer in the denim department, and customisation has also become popular, with a choice of patches and pins on offer for you to make a pair of jeans truly your own. Even for everyday wear, ripped jeans have been the choice of the year, with a whole spectrum of distress and decay ratios from the subtlest tear to pairs which are more empty space than fabric, meaning there’s something to meet all tastes.

Dresses have taken on a more fuss-free, cool vibe. Gone are clingy body-con materials and cutesy skater styles, and instead, T-shirt and slip dresses have taken centre stage. Beginning as a revival of the underwear-as-outerwear trend which surfaced a few years previously, by summer, a simple black slip dress was this year’s designated partner for the plain white tee. Currently, as the festive season approaches, the slip dress is being produced in suitably sparkly fabrics, but the relaxed cut retains a rare combination of fun and sophistication. The T-shirt dress itself is more casual, but still chic when coupled with knee high boots, or a grown-up rucksack (2016’s bag of choice). These two modern evolutions of the shift dress, the slip and T-shirt dresses are both practical yet stylish.

It’s been a great year for exciting fabrics: stripes made a striking return this spring, mainly in monochrome and primary coloured palettes, and then ‘patchwork’ patterns, with a combination of ditsy florals or petite paisley designs, gave a bohemian feel to classically-tailored shirt. Bringing back the 90s for all who dare to bare, mesh has made a big comeback, colliding with the 21st century by using a palette of iridescent jewel shades, not just the plain black of quintessential 90s grunge.

The most interesting textural introduction has definitely been the micro-pleat: a way to add variety to everyday pieces, such as culottes and midi skirts, if embellished jeans aren’t your style. With such a heavy focus on decorated fabrics though, statement jewellery has been sacrificed. Chokers are definitely hot right now, but for other pieces, use of multi-coloured rhinestones has been switched for focus on the metal itself, and layering up on simple pieces is preferable to one outstanding item. 

Velvet back above the ground

As 2016 draws to an end, sartorial luxury is in vogue. Each and every garment imaginable, from relaxed loungewear to party outfits, is available in velvet, and statement embroidery has been used liberally to adorn not just jeans, but tops and sweaters too. These two trends might do away with the idea that less is more, but they are certainly wearable, and also far more interesting than the plethora of knitted jumpers which usually fill the high street this time of year.

The fashion trends of this year have clearly been more inspiring than predictable, and many of them will certainly be the foundations of the styles which develop over the coming months