10 trends you don't want to try - but should

Snakeskin, flares, bare nails and statement boots - some of the trends you should try. Photos / Instagram

The biannual hamster wheel that is "Fashion Month" has rolled through New York, London, Milan and Paris - finally halting and giving designers, media and consumers alike the chance to catch their breath and consider which trends (both new and those still holding on for dear life) will be gracing their wardrobes over the next few months. There is a mystery to the collective fashion consciousness; season after season, numerous designers will independently present their own riff on a common theme or concept - sometimes executed so flawlessly and irresistibly that you find yourself desperate for an item, material or silhouette you previously abhorred. We all drink the sartorial kool-aid and ask for more. But what's on tap now?

1: Flares

Forget all memories of esoteric hippies, and certainly forget all those deplorable (yet amazingly iconic) bootcut jeans from 2003; the flare is BACK with a vengeance. Sometimes it takes a forgotten and jarring (although not necessarily original) silhouette to make everything feel fresh again; after what feels like an eon of skinny denim and tapered trousers, the high-waisted flare has appeared everywhere from Louis Vuitton, Marni and J. W. Anderson to Topshop and ASOS.

There's something refreshingly elegant and fluid about the dramatic sweep of a flared leg mid-stride, not to mention it grounds a silhouette like nothing else. Keep the fit streamlined and the rise high to balance out a wider leg and create a supremely flattering waist; best paired with skinny knits, abbreviated proportions and fitted jackets to avoid looking swamped. Locally your best bet is the sassy cropped pair from Georgia Alice, Karen Walker's formidable flares or (of course) a dedicated hunt at your local Salvation Army store.

2: Pie Crust Collars

The surprise hit of the Fall season was the dramatic and romantic pie-crust collar shirt, popping up on up on multiple runways - from Giles' gothic Victorian heroines to Altuzarra's homage to patrician style icon Slim Keith.

Channel Princess Diana's knowing side-eye (they were, after all, an iconic part of her wardrobe arsenal) and relish the refreshing sex appeal of hiding skin. Refined, romantic and intriguingly repressive - a high collar and carefully executed ruffle oozes drama and sensuality, acting as the perfect foil to a leather pencil skirt or pair of old jeans.

3: The Kitten Heel

Not so much a trend as a slow burn renaissance, this shoe fell from grace swiftly after it's boom in popularity - being banished to the sartorial hinterland, and search engine auto-fills like "kitten heels are the boiled carrots of fashion". However nothing disappears forever, and reincarnations give a once maligned style a new sense of desirability and appeal. The kitten heel has been making quiet yet influential appearances at the likes of Miu Miu, Balenciaga and on the original re-adopters, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen.

Their awkwardly low pitch yet ladylike shape makes them the perfect dichotomy between sensibility and elegance. The key is embracing these contrasts; pair a sharp kitten heel with some relaxed menswear or a sumptuous oversized sweater.

4: Suede

Because you should always wear something that says "TOUCH ME", no recent trend has been more sweepingly dominant than the prevalence of suede - everywhere from the runway and front row to the sidewalk to the high street. With J.W Anderson's near-singlehanded 70s revival, the sleek ladies of Hermes and the bohemian Chloe girls, its endless incarnations and interpretations allow it to seamlessly transcend aesthetics and be far more accessible than most trends.

Like most good things in life, it's high maintenance but worth it. Care is required to keep suede's nap in tip-top shape, and rain is to be avoided at all costs. But you will be richly rewarded by its appealing blend of luxurious tactility and earthy history. Invest in a simple, a-line skirt for a refined take on the seventies resurgence - or try a suede coat for outerwear with extra interest.

5: The Statement Boot

Autumn is here, Winter is on it's way and it's time to start thinking about functional footwear. Even though every sensible bone in your body (and the motherly voice of reason in your ear) is telling you to buy a black boot, life is far too short for boring shoes. From the velvet boots at Dries Van Noten, to Dior's thigh-high PVC and Marni's snakeskin boots, Fall's runways proved cold-weather footwear needn't be dull.

It makes all the sense in the world to pair the universal Winter uniform of knitwear, coats and jeans with a boot that has colour, texture and animal magnetism. Go for a reptilian finish, brightly hued suede or bold zebra print;
relax in slouchy denim and a classic sweater knowing your footwear is doing all the work.

6: Bra-Free

Not so much a trend (although increasingly popular) as a lifestyle choice; seize the opportunity to eschew the bra whenever possible - and, of course, if cup size allows. Not only is it comfortable and liberating, it remains somehow tantalisingly subversive (even though it's 2015 and the bra-burning seventies are a distant memory). Nothing gives a sensible sweater or plain t-shirt immediate sensuality like foregoing underwear, although obviously this is an occasion-dependant look and not recommended for the office.

7: Snakeskin

It's time to rethink this old classic; it's not just for members of Poison cover bands or auxiliary Jackie Collins characters. Undoubtedly more chicand far cooler than leopard print (which itself is essentially a wardrobe neutral anyway), snake manages to combine texture, print and density in a way that elevates even the simplest shoe or skirt.

Most offerings on the market are actually embossed leather - unless of course you have the luxury of getting out the black Amex for a crocodile backpack from The Row. From the snakeskin boots at Chloe, to the grand swathes of python in coat for at Miu Miu and Proenza Schouler - reptilian finishes in their newest incarnation combine tongue-in-cheek sex appeal with a functional utilitarianism; wear python to the supermarket, because why shouldn't you.

8: Bare Your Nails

Sometimes a trend centres on what you remove rather than add to your look; nail art fatigue has well and truly set in, with the mania of manicures and novelty polish reaching saturation point. More and more, runways and editorials are becoming bare of polish and adornment - with a bare nail (and face) communicating a new kind of class and refinement ties back to the confidence of honest beauty. What once seemed refreshing and quirky, is now already dated and borderline infantile - after all, do grown women really need love hearts and cupcakes on their nailbeds?

Not that effort shouldn't be put into your hands and nails - on the contrary, often a lot is required in order to look effortless and pulled together. However when all that effort becomes visible, it all seems rather too desperate and too gimmicky. Bare nails, regardless of what length, look clean and fresh; a refined shape and flawless cuticle looks polished (in the true sense of the word) and elegant - it's worth investing in regular manicures. By all means, go for a super long talon, but keep it bone nude for a twist on beauty standards. Bare or nude polish allows the focus to be on the nail shape and the elegance of the hand itself.

9: Statement Earrings

Sometimes all it takes is one thing to completely elevate your look, and nothing does this better than a bold pair of earrings worn alongside little (or ideally no) other jewellery. From the signature giant crystal earrings of Miu Miu, to Celine's golden drop earrings and the array of giant pearls at Balenciaga, it's the season to frame the face. Designers and style setters alike are embracing the visual extravagance of costume jewellery, and it's the perfect foil to the simplicity and austerity of apparel right now.

Naturally any ear adornment is immediately in people's vision, guaranteeing you draw attention; a statement earring is best worn with a bare face for a refreshing and jarringly beautiful look. Go the vintage route, for something that's unique, beautiful and possibly even an original clip-on.

10: Or just wear whatever you love

Because at the end of the day, nothing is worse than a trend - especially when everyone else is wearing it too. A trend, by nature, is about popularity and mass adoption; why go with the herd? Clothes are inherently autobiographical; they reflect your values, influences, passions and life - so treat them with the same consideration and gravity.

Think about why you shop and purchase - and why you don't. Shop for reasons more important than what ever is "on trend". Shop for quality, investment and the thrill of finding a unique piece - something that makes you feel as good as it looks. You should feel good because you love what you're wearing, not because you're ticking a prescribed box. Take risks, but also take the time to embrace your comfort zone.

- nzherald.co.nz