Y! Lifestyle visited the River Island press event to catch a sneak peek at what's on the fashion radar for autumn
It may still be August but autumn / winter collections are already making their way onto the great British high street. As we did at the Matalan show, we've identified the key trends to keep an eye out for in River Island stores as the summer closes.
Trend 1: Embellished necklines
Embellished necklines at the River Island A/W12 press day © Yahoo! Lifestyle
This autumn, leave the jewellery at home and let your embellished neckline do the talking. River Island takes inspiration from the Givenchy A/W '12 catwalk show and has designed embellished necklines on many of its lines, in a variety of metallic shades. The look has been spotted on celebs including Emma Stone, who wore a stunning Burberry Prosum embellished neck piece at the recent The Amazing Spider Man press conference. Make like the models at Dior A/W '12 and team your neckpiece with an on-trend aubergine dress for instant glam.
[Related blog post: Three key trends at the Matalan A/W12 press show]
Trend 2: Fur
Fur at the River Island A/W12 press day © Yahoo! LifestyleNext up is a trend that's not only stylish, but practical too. Come autumn, we'll be keeping snug in these fur numbers. Seen on snoods, jackets, collars and cardigans, fur is here to stay for the rest of the year, which (almost) makes us wish for a cold snap. It's been spotted on the catwalk too, with Karl Lagerfield draping his models in fur at the Fendi A/W '12 catwalk show in Milan. Just as long as it's faux…
[Related article: Paris Fashion Week key trends round up]
Trend 3: Velvet
Velvet at the River Island A/W12 press day © Yahoo! LifestyleAs seen on the runways at Milan Fashion Week, ever-popular velvet makes a comeback in time for Christmas parties. Seen on everything from tops and skirts to trousers at River Island, it's an effortless trend that's hard to get wrong . Models at the Versace A/W '12 show strutted down the runway in velvet pencil skirts, while the models at Gucci wore velvet jackets and velvet florals in plummy red, black and dark green. Wear yours with an embellished neckline as seen above (top right) and you've nailed two trends in one.
[Related article: Rihanna for River Island Collection Announced!]
Trend 4: Fringing
Fringing at the River Island A/W12 press day © Yahoo! LifestyleFinally, we couldn't help but notice the abundance of fringing on display. Capes, cardigans, even shorts were detailed with black fringing. Elsewhere, leather fringing was seen at the Givenchy A/W '12 collection as well as a lace version at the Chanel A/W '12 catwalk show in Paris (with none other than Hollywood royalty Diane Kruger paying close attention in the front row). Complete the look by teaming a fringed cardi with leather leggings and a studded clutch. Ooh la la…
[Related article: Milan Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2012 key trends]
What will you be wearing this autumn / winter?