It’s back to school time! As any returning student knows, this is one of the few times of the year in which you can have a totally guilt-free shopping spree and also one of the best times to interpret trends from the fall/winter collections for practical purposes. Here’s three trends we’re loving at Style Nine to Five and how to take the looks from the catwalk to the classroom.

The Swinging Sixties

The mod look doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. The reason for its strong presence on the runway and in real life is how stylish yet practical this trend is. What better way to stay warm in the winter than with a cocoon-style jacket? It’s chic yet functional.

Make this look appropriate for class by pairing a simple shift dress in a punchy colour (think bright orange, turquoise, etc.) and throw a cleanly cut coat over top. Pair with boots or flats with a slim shape and you’re set!

Colour Blocking

Graphic, bold and fun – this trend is just the thing to brighten up a bleak and grey autumn day. The thing that’s amazing about colour blocking is that you can achieve a high-impact look without having to put much more thought or effort into your look. Simply throw away the rules of colour-matching and look for pieces with strong, graphic prints.

Try mixing a striped tee under a graphic-print cardigan or jacket. Bonus points if they’re all brightly coloured. Extra points if you add in another one of fall’s trends: candy-hued denim.

Dotted

Dots are like stripe’s oft-forgotten sister. Just as strong and fun, yet more feminine and slightly more understated. In a similar way to stripes, dots not only function well as a base pattern for pattern-on-pattern looks, but you can throw a variety of dotted pieces together.

Try adding in dotted pieces in unexpected textures and sizes. Pair a blouse with a large-dot pattern with a leather skirt. Adding in pieces with a bit of edge or layering your dotted pieces together keeps the look from being too femme and delicate.

Images courtesy of Style.com

By: Alexandra Grant, Vancouver

You should follow me on Twitter @tovogueorbust.

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