Global exploration is on the fashion horizon right now, with
a plethora of ethnic references dominating key catwalk trends. Many designers
have demonstrated a taste for faraway climes in recent collections, with a host
of exotic looks that visually celebrate global cultures; from the mystical
Aztec and Incan tribes of Meso-America to Wild-West rodeo girls and glamour-jewelled
gypsies; every stone has been unturned in an international trek for the most
innovative ethnic ensembles.
A key trend to come out of this world fashion tour is the
statement blanket coat, which has appeared everywhere in the last few seasons,
from Chanel’s striking ‘Dallas Cowboy’ AW14 collection to Burberry Prorsum’s
boho brilliant aw14 show and Saint Laurent’s recent spring summer 15 Navajo
masterpiece for men. The coat has a striking oversized silhouette that
perfectly lends itself to autumn winter layering, and when combined with rustic
prints from the runway, becomes an atmospheric and totally wearable piece for
the autumn winter season ahead.
The blanket coat has been spotted in various formations
across the different fashion shows recently, demonstrating its surprising
versatility as a key autumn look. It is warm and snug due to the oversized
proportions and wrap-around draping, and lends itself to a visually stimulating
bohemian vibe when added to layered, patterned outfits like the ones in the
runway shows. Burberry Prorsum led the way with this evocative look when it
showcased models waltzing down the catwalk in flowing woodland foliage skirts,
rustic belts and floral blanket jackets, to create a wild wilderness look that wholly
embraces the autumn equinox.
Other brands that have played with boho autumnal layering in
a slightly different manner by emphasising the rich colours and rustic textures
of the changing seasons ahead, as the leaves on the trees begin to deepen from
emerald greens to burnt-orange tones. Kenzo took a trip to evergreen alpine
forests with an oversized coat that that wrapped around perfectly like a
blanket. It contained interesting prints of machinery cogs which had been
crafted so delicately in leaf green colours against a brown bark background
that they resembled leaves on an old oak tree. Fendi took the autumn ambience
even further with a layered wrap-around coat containing maple-leaf orange
patches and woody cocoa colours for a warming and wonderful ‘mother-nature’
style.
Whilst many designers opted for a rugged woodland feel,
others embarked on a wild adventure to the arid desert planes of North America,
to unearth the ancient cultures of colourful Navajo tribes. Renowned labels
such as Chanel and Etro beautifully referenced the Wild-West in their autumn
winter collections, with ethnic patchwork blanket knits, cowboy inspired boots
and Native Indian feather jewellery. Chanel went full-throttle with this Native
Americana theme by showing their collection in an authentic Dallas cowboy
ranch, filled with haystacks and wooden interiors. The blanket coats fitted in perfectly
with their ancient Navajo tipi silhouettes and Indian shaman patchwork cloak patterns.
Saint Laurent and Sacai chose to venture even deeper into
the alluring cultures of America by heading to the southern continent with
vibrant South American themes. Sacai’s statement blanket coat in sapphire blues
and rich reds was painted in Aztec hieroglyphs and mystical geometrics, whilst
Saint Laurent’s menswear looks for ss15 featured rainbow knitted blanket cloaks
that echoed the layered tribal knitwear designs of ancient Andes farmers in the
Peruvian Andes foothills. The looks were rounded off with chunky charm
necklaces that evoked the decadent jewellery worn by revered Mayan gods in the ancient
Mexican cities. The nature-inspired
bohemian style has therefore remained, with a new South American twist.
As we can see from these different designer interpretations,
the blanket coat has risen to become one of the most coveted styles of the
season ahead. It has shown itself to be the perfect piece for playing with
travel fantasies and embracing different cultures by experimenting with
esoteric patterns and prints. Whether you go for a verdant countryside vibe
like the Burberry or Kenzo shows, or the exotic tribal styles of Saint Laurent
or Etro, you are sure to pull off a look that will get you noticed whilst
keeping you warm snug in the autumn winter months.
With this in mind, we have pieced together an unmissable
edit of key blanket styles that you can purchase now for your ultimate layered
looks...
This Burberry Prorsum wool and cashmere blanket coat comes
in beautifully rich and sensual autumn colours, and is perfect for a
countryside look when layered up with turtle neck knits and washed denims.
Stella McCartney has chosen a chocolate brown houndstooth
print and gypsy-style tassles for her striking blanket coat, which is made of
Alpaca wool and directly references the Peruvian mountain trend.
Multi-coloured virgin wool and ethnic stripes typify this
oversized blanket coat from Isabel Marant, and would suit a South American
style when paired with feathered jewellery or layered tribal necklaces.
Missoni has designed a wool-mix draping cloak that features
cryptic Aztec zig-zag patterns for a romantic and adventurous look. Wear with
brown suede ankle boots and burgundy leather trousers for an edgy indigenous
outfit.
Band of Outsiders:
Matches - £1,105
Band of Outsiders have chosen a voluminous blanket coat in
colourful plaids and buckled details for a Scottish Highlander ambience. Add to
the evocative outsider look by pairing with an orange tassled
scarf and brown
leather boots.
