UrbanWire’s guide to nailing two of fall’s fashion trends – statement collars and printed blazers – that will amp up your outfit.

Pop Those Collars

Alexa Chung, Carey Mulligan and Victoria Beckham are just some of the few celebrities who love their collars. The trend, popularised by Miu Miu in Spring 2010, still stands strong this fall. So button those collars and pop them up because this fad looks like it’s here to stay.

Wear it with a dress, sweater, blouse, and heck, even a t-shirt! Fuss-free and versatile, simply button up and this pseudo-fashion accessory will transform your entire outfit.

Unlike most trends that are best admired from afar than worn,by those of us who aren’t stick-thin models—think skinny pants or stretch jersey apparel—this look can be rocked by anyone from a Size 0 to a Size 10.

Available in an assortment shapes, sizes and textures, there is a collar for every girl out there. As the Rodarte sisters demonstrated with their romantic and dainty pieces, Derek Lam with his grandma-chic lace collars and Phillip Lim with his futuristic, metallic creations, it’s time to banish all notion about collars being strictly for schoolgirls and staid office workers.

For one special girl (or boy; who’s judging?), your collar could even be embellished with diamonds.

Chanel’s king, Karl Lagerfeld, who’s almost never seen without his high collar, recently designed the world’s most expensive collar worth  £29,000 (S$57,000). The exclusive piece was a diamond-studded collar complete with an emerald centrepiece for a jewellery exhibition.

Lagerfeld told Vogue UK, “I’m renowned for my love of a high collar and I wanted to create a true collector’s item with this one-off piece.”

Once a man like Lagerfeld shares his tips, what choice do us ordinary mortals have but to follow them? UrbanWire shows you 2 different ways to spice up your outfit with detachable collars from Topshop.

3 Tips:

  1. Invest in a detachable collar that can match your sweaters, dresses and shirts.
  2. Is there something even better? Do-It-Yourself (DIY) collars, of course! Just follow this tutorial and you’re on your way to becoming a designer.
  3. To go beyond the simple collar, take a cue from Oscar de la Renta and bling it up with a brooch.

 

Pretty In Printed Blazers

If you find yourself exclaiming, “I have nothing to wear” after staring at your wardrobe and have no means to do a major revamp of that wardrobe, it’s time to invest in a couple of printed blazers. Printed outerwear is all the rage now and will instantly inject a new lease of life into your current closet.

For Fall 2012, Roberto Cavalli went wild with reptilian prints, Dries Van Noten experimented with the oriental culture and Prabal Gurung kept it safe and pretty with floral motifs.

If you’re new to the world where more is more, just slowly dip your toes into this trend by matching the printed blazer with basic solid-coloured garments as shown by singer Solange Knowles.

Once you’re ready, go on and take a plunge by donning the print from head-to-toe to pop out from the crowd. Caution: A full-on printed outfit is usually donned by the bold. Stay away from this ensemble if you’re one to shy away from the spotlight.

UrbanWire shows you 2 different ways to amp up your outfit with printed blazers from Topshop.

3 Tips:

  1. Before investing in a printed blazer, make sure the print suits you well and draws focus to the right places.
  2. Size of the print matters. As a rule of thumb, petite ladies should go for smaller, dainty prints and vice versa.
  3. Nail 2 trends in one go by matching statement collars with your printed blazer… but be sure to keep one low-key if you’d rather not become a fashion disaster.

So now that we’ve given you the dibs on statement collars and printed blazers, run along and have fun dressing up!

If you fancy any of the clothes you saw on our guides to sporting these 2 hot trends for fall, well lucky you, you can get them at Topshop, H&M and ASOS.

Don’t worry about draining that bank account, either—all items are under $160!

Images courtesy of Alwayssometimesanytime.com, Aura-b.com, Blkpeach.blogspot.sg, Asos.com, Breakingdawnmovie.org, Elle.com, Hm.com.sg, Jazzimcg.com, Nataliamccarthy.wordpress.com, Net-a-porter.com, Posh24.com, Style.com, Socialitelife.com, soundbites.typepad.com, Talkingwithtami.com, Thestyleumbrella.com, Topshop.com, Vogue.com and Voice.fi