What Dresses for Autumn? Shock of the Baroque

It may seem strange to be thinking about this autumn fashions when in the UK Summer seems to have only started a few days ago. But the poor weather may mean that people are already focusing on autumn / fall fashions. Whether we have an Indian Summer (i.e. one where good weather stretches until the end of September) or this current sunny weather is just a blip that will be gone by mid August, the fashion houses are ready and willing to unveil their collections to an expectant public – You! So what’s trending?

While a number of fashion producers went for minimalist and relatively plain ideas for autumn, perhaps reflecting austerity, a few others went for the totally ornate Baroque look.  The features here are over ornamentation; over-worked and over-wrought details to create a dense layered effect of sumptuousness and indulgence. The key word is, therefore, ornate. Whether in the embroidery, the type and layers of material – corduroy, silk, satin quilting, or the patterns and overall shape of the dress, this will be one to catch every eye when walking into a room.

We love this Bonded Lace Peplum Dress from Warehouse. Click here for more dresses like this one from Warehouse.

Capes often play an important role in baroque fashion, as do robes and sweeping dresses. Some look as though they have been borrowed from the simple designs of communion dresses, or a bishop or cardinal’s frocks, but then ramped up by a few hundred degrees, and injected with the Midas touch of the world’s best designers. So, if you fancy something a bit more low key and just want to casually nod to this autumn’s hottest trend, try a Baroque t-shirt.

 Foiled Baroque Burn Out Tee and Baroque Lace Tee from Warehouse from Warehouse

The colours involved in the baroque fashion we expect to see this autumn are not always Gothic blacks and purples. Greys, deep oranges and blues will be seen along with plenty of gold trimming and accessories. In the dresses (from Topshop and River Island0 below, however, black and gold do feature heavily – the baroque livery of opulence and wealth!

So where did the expression “baroque” come from? It relates to the characteristics of a style in art and architecture developed in Europe from the early 17th to mid-18th century, emphasizing dramatic, often strained effect and typified by bold, curving forms, elaborate ornamentation, and overall balance of disparate parts. In music baroque was and is marked by expressive dissonance and elaborate ornamentation. Complex rhythms, extravagant sweeping textures and sometimes a touch of the bizarre. These are all the exciting things that can come out in baroque fashion.