The Minimalist

• With temperatures already starting to cool, we're beginning to see our brief summer draw to a close. As depressing a thought as that is, a shred of excitement remains by seeing what trendy treats AW15 has in store for us. AW15 will see the revival of one of my favourite trends: Minimalism. The Minimalist trend has been championed by the likes of Alexander Wang for years; we will finally get a chance to pay homage to the sleek era of the 1990s which saw catwalk giants such as Calvin Klein and Helmut Lang dominate the scene with key pieces in luxe fabrics which oozed both sophistication and simplicity at once. The Minimalist is elegant without being in your face; it is simple yet luxurious; pared down but on point - relaxed but never boring. 

Shop our entire collection here

To channel The Minimalist trend, you should keep your eyes peeled for details such as spaghetti straps, square cut necklines and luxe, delicate materials that are reminiscent of  the boudoir trend; but the key thing to look out for will be silhouette - The Minimalist is all about loose fitting styles which move fluidly as you walk.  For a more daring take on The Minimalist, look out for plunging necklines but aim for a longer hem than you would normally consider. If done carefully, The Minimalist trend can ooze sexuality in an understated way due to the lingerie-inspired materials which move in tandem to your body - skimming over any problem areas whilst clinging to your shape briefly enough to subtly suggest the possibility of sensuality. It's also best to stick to a palette of black, navy, camel, grey and white, and most importantly of all - don't be tempted to overdo the accessories!

We can't wait to embrace this pivotal trend of the 1990s, but we know that the best way to do this is through vintage clothing! As I've said time and time again, an original will always be more fascinating than a replica - let's immortalise this crucial trend by wearing something which lived a life of its own in that very decade!

Double Act

Co-ordinate sets have taken the fashion world by storm this year, and appear to be continuing their reign of superiority right through AW15. Whether you choose colour-blocking or all-over pattern; sharply tailored or loose fitting - this season is all about matching separates whilst enabling you to pick your own silhouette and relish in individuality.

Vintage M&S check skirt suit - Sold Out  |  Vintage Mondi prep co-ord set - £45 (15% discount code below!)

You can shop our entire collection of vintage co-ordinates and suits here

With the temperatures set to cool as we move into Autumn, we'll shift away from the Summer staple look of a sleek pencil skirt and matching crop top; yet co-ordinates will still reign supreme. Instead we will see a flattering combination of structured tailoring infused with the youthfulness of coordinating prints or colours - think pencil skirts and matching blazers. Admittedly, on the surface, co-co-ordinates seem as if they may be restricting in the sense that 90% of your outfit is now defined by one single print or colour, yet with a few simple tweaks, co-ordinates could be just the double act that your wardrobe needs. If nothing else, co-ordinates are perfect for office-to-dancefloor outfits. A tailored two-piece can look chic in the boardroom whilst also remaining effortless for post-work drinks; the combination of a matching skirt and blazer layered over a sleeveless blouse oozes sophistication, yet layered over a simple camisole the same two-piece instantly becomes more youthful and fresh. A few adjustments to your jewellery, a quick ruffle of your hair and a swift double vodka and you're straight out of office-mode and good to go!

We currently have a 15% discount code running on all orders over £15 until 24/08/14, visit our shop here and use the code VINTAGE15 at checkout!

Prep School

The prep-school look is a trend that is recycled year after year on the catwalks; championed by designers such as Ralph Lauren and Henry Holland - yet instead of growing tiresome, the look remains timeless season after season. The quirky prints, cute coordinates and minimalistic accessories have been big news this year already, and it looks as if the preppy look will prevail through AW14.  However, this year the preppy look has got a new edge, moving away from the prim and proper Kate Middleton look that was popular in 2011, and instead taking inspiration from the ultimate 90s icon: Cher Horowitz from Clueless.

This season's preppy look distances itself from the more modest vibes of the past and instead pays tribute to the vintage inspired campus looks of Clueless: think chunky platforms, tartan blazers and understated make-up. This season is all about quality labels and quirky styles; it's about having fun with fashion and encapsulating the vibrancy of youth whilst embracing grown-up tailoring for that crucial silhouette to bring the whole look together. With tailoring playing such a crucial role, it's important to invest in quality pieces that will maintain that key structure and shape, which is why vintage clothing is your best friend when it comes to mastering this look; vintage clothes have proved they're worth their salt when it comes to standing the test of time and longevity. So, here at the Vintage Clothing Collection, we transported ourselves back to the 90s and created some looks that could have just as easily stepped out of Cher Horowitz's enviable walk-in wardrobe.

Yellow tartan Mondi check jacket - Coming Soon to our Etsy shop

Vintage Mondi black and red blazer - £34

The 90's preppy look is something to really have fun with and can add some much needed colour and print into AW14 fashion; so enjoy yourself and try out some new looks whilst emulating one of the most fashion forward films of the generation. Just like vintage shopping, the 90s revival is all about having fun and experimenting with fashion.

We currently have a 15% discount code running on all our items, visit our shop here and use the code VINTAGE15 at checkout!