I usually like to think that I'm the sort of person who doesn't necessarily follow trends. When it comes to fashion, I know what I like. And I definitely know what I don't like. That being said, I love seeing the way designers cater to the on-trend looks in unique and distinctive ways every season — the way they take whatever is actually fashionable in that moment and blend it with their own staple vibes. When it comes to fall 2014 fashion trends, there's actually a lot to fall in with, and there's certainly a lot that I'm swooning over as we speak. But shopping trends in plus-sizes is never an easy feat.
We've been seeing a lot of new and quirky things this season, from the explosion of orange to the second wave of pastels. Autumnal color trends and exaggerated silhouettes, for instance, are really making this fall's fashion all about statement pieces. Think wrap dresses and longline kimonos and faux fur, all in dazzling shades and textures. Toward the end of 2013, we saw something of a vintage fashion comeback, and as a lover of '20s, '40s and '50s fashion, this is definitely something that makes me giddy inside. Luckily, fall trends are embracing said comeback, too. And for the first time in a long time, the majority of plus-size fashion designers and brands are perfecting the balance between on-trend looks and individuality.
I don't know if it's just me, but what I seem to be seeing this year in the world of plus-retail is the embracing of one or two particular trends per store or designer. So whether you're looking for leopard print dresses or classic plaid coats, someone out there is making sure you get it in sizes 12 and up. In vast and beautiful quantities.
Leopard Print
Leopard Crop Top, $23, fashiontofigure.com
Leopard Open Cardigan, $25, fashiontofigure.com
Leopard Print Dress With Piping, $37, fashiontofigure.com
Leopard Lace Crop Top, $27, fashiontofigure.com
Animal Print Romper, $29, fashiontofigure.com
Fashion to Figure jumped on the leopard bandwagon with full force this season, producing everything from rompers to crop tops. Animal prints in general tend to float in and out of fashion, being deemed classy and fun one second and hideously corny the next. But as Glamour noted in their fall trend report, what's interesting about leopard's comeback this time around is the "ultra-feminine take on it," something you can see here in the chic cardigan and silhouetted dress.
Orange (Is Definitely the New Black)
Mallory Longline Kimono, $35, boohoo.com
Jenna Cold Shoulder Oversized Dress, $20, boohoo.com
Frankie Printed Boxy Shell Top, $24, boohoo.com
Kathryn Woven Dip Back Kimono, $24, boohoo.com
Chantelle Oversized Boyfriend Coat, $70, boohoo.com
Since plus-size model and blogger Nadia Aboulhosn announced that she would be Boohoo Plus's brand ambassador, the brand has been on all our radars. They've been doing some amazing things this season, like perfecting the faux fur jacket (did you guys see the rainbow coat) and working really elegantly with metallics. But one of their strengths is definitely the use of orange. I never thought it would be possible to make orange truly work, but Boohoo is definitely making me reevaluate.
Faux Fur Accents
Hell Bunny Sarah Jane Coat in Teal, $123, blamebetty.com
Hell Bunny Lavish Luxe Coat Bordeaux, $188, redressnyc.com
I Came, I Saw, I Pondered Coat, $250, modcloth.com
Straight Plush Coat, $150, modcloth.com
Archetype It Up Coat, $250, modcloth.com
Now that we were reminded of the whole faux fur thing, we can turn to the faux fur coat's comeback. Fur accents have been popping up like crazy recently — on pants, on dresses and most obviously, on coats. There's something so beautifully vintage about this trend, so it's no wonder that some of our favorite retro-spired brands (ModCloth and Hell Bunny, naturally) have totally taken over it.
Plaid
Studio Tartan Plaid Midi, $88, eloquii.com
Studio Tartan Plaid Coat, $198, eloquii.com
Tartan Plaid Top, $68, eloquii.com
Love & Legend Faux Leather Bustier Dress, $130, additionelle.com
Love & Legend Plaid Coat, $250, additionelle.com
It's quite possible that plaid is just one of those trends that pops up every autumn, but this year we seem to be seeing a bigger return than ever. Previously, plaid seemed exclusive to fall jackets or teen-emo skirts and pants. Now, it's everywhere, and Eloquii are Addition Elle are proving that it's a pattern that works on just about everything.
Full Skirt
ASOS Curve Pleated Midi Skirt in Metallic, $66, asos.com
ASOS Curve Exclusive Midi Skirt in in Gingham Check, $57, asos.com
ASOS Curve Midi Skirt in Pleated Leather Look, $114, asos.com
ASOS Curve Exclusive Circular Skirt with Zip Front, $34, asos.com
ASOS Curve Exclusive Circular Skirt in Ponte, $47, asos.com
From midi to circle skirts, the full silhouette is definitely in when it comes to fall shopping. Like faux fur, there's something distinctly vintage about this look. But as with all retro-inspired trends, ASOS Curve perfects adding modernity's twist — be it through the use of metallics or texture.
The Layer Effect
Claire Richards Spot Mesh Prom Dress, $132, simplybe.com
Grid Design Mesh Dress, $110, simplybe.com
Mesh Trim Dress, $110, simplybe.com
Lace Layered Dress, $80, simplybe.com
Joanna Hope Scalloped Sequin Dress, $140, simplybe.com
The layered look is definitely something that's been getting progressively bigger all year, and it seems to have hit an all-time high this fall. Sometimes the trend manifests itself in layered dresses that can pass for co-ord sets. At other times, it's simply an "effect." Using mesh trims or cut-outs can often make it look like you're wearing a sheer cardi or a cute undershirt in conjunction with a dress, for instance. And SimplyBe is really taking the look to stupendous places.
The Cape
Adrianna Papell Cape Sheath Dress, $180, nordstrom.com
Fleurette Loro Piana Wool Cape with Fur Trim, $1295, nordstrom.com
Jones New York Plus Jewel Accented Cape, $139, lordandtaylor.com
Ralph Lauren Plus Suede Trimmed Mockneck Cape, $435, lordandtaylor.com
Adrianna Papell Plus Asymmetrical Cape Dress, $180, lordandtaylor.com
There's something so elegantly Old Hollywood about a cape dress or coat — it's no wonder that this trend is predominantly being embraced by higher-end designers and brands, like Adrianna Papell and Jones New York. The cape silhouette, like the full skirt, is an exaggerated and over-the-top look — something that is definitely trending as of late. Capes are definitive statement pieces, often played down by using solid colors and prints. Regardless, though, they're worn to be seen.
Scuba
Heart Print Scuba Pencil, $68, eloquii.com
Side Ruffle Scuba Dress, $98, eloquii.com
Cutout Shoulder Scuba Dress, $40, eloquii.com
Floral Print Scuba Dress, $110, eloquii.com
Scuba Midi Skirt, $78, eloquii.com
Those of us who follow plus-size fashion bloggers have probably been obsessing over the scuba trend since seeing Danielle Vanier in an ASOS Curve scuba co-ord set a few months back. Something about the scuba look and feel is quirky and fun. It doesn't seem to take itself too seriously. Just as Eloquii embraced the plaid trend this year, the brand is also embracing the whole scuba thing. By throwing in beautiful floral patterns and seasonal colors and silhouettes, they've pretty much ensured this trend will last through winter.
Pastels
The Nicolette Dress, $125, modcloth.com
Creative Consultant Coat, $150, modcloth.com
Arcadian Dreams Top, $40, modcloth.com
As Grid as it Gets Dress, $130, modcloth.com
Literary Connoisseur Dress, $110, modcloth.com
As gorgeous as deep burgundies and forest greens are, fall colors can get a little dark. Sometimes you just need a little (or a lot of) pink, and luckily pastel colors are in no shortage this season. We're seeing pastel greens and blues and pinks everywhere, even in hair (need I remind you that Lena Dunham has dyed her hair a fabulous shade of green?). As per usual, ModCloth has embraced this recurring theme this season, but with its wonderful vintage twist on everything.
Images: Courtesy Brands
