These Are The Six Autumn/Winter 2018 Trends You Need To Know

Leggings got a glam makeover for autumn/winter 2018, with everyone's favourite loungewear cast in sequins, animal print and wet-look leather for a look that is more going out than working out. Tom Ford was the undisputed ringleader in this respect, sending the most outré versions down his catwalk, while Alexander Wang's were more sport-inflected and Victoria Beckham's flattering and practical, with Saint Laurent's the most grown-up of the pack, being a hybrid between leggings and slim-fit cigarette pants.

The leopard print renaissance begun in New York, with unlikely champion Victoria Beckham showing one of the most talked about items of the week, a lightweight classic leopard print mac with belted waist and elegant midi-length. Elsewhere, designers opted for more wild takes on the trend (please excuse the pun), with Tom Ford in particular going for a more-is-more glamorous aesthetic with a sequinned red tux. Carolina Herrera took the theme one step further, including a big cat print on some of her dresses, although out favourite look was an elegant snow leopard print collarless coat in white.

Christopher Kane, Simone Rocha and Fendi all opted for a high shine finish for autumn/winter 2018, with trousers, jackets and skirts all squeaking down the runway. At Christopher Kane, black patent leather was teamed with a muted colour palette of beige tones, while at Simone Rocha it was all about the one patent piece – namely an olive-green mac, with balloon sleeves and embroidery detail. Fendi also favoured a glossy finish for its raincoats and puffa jackets, as well as knee-high boots, miniskirts and bags, all in the classic Fendi check.

Following on from last season, designers were continuing to look to the American outdoors for inspiration, and specifically the Wild Wild West to make America great again. At Coach, Stuart Vevers created Seventies-inflected ankle-grazing prairie dresses with tassel and leather details fit for a cowgirl; Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini's dresses were more buttoned-up, with Edwardian collars and ruffles; while the king of Western fashion, Calvin Klein, sent his models down the runway in floor-skimming tiered skirts in gingham and lace, styled with a jumper over the top.

Power dressing made a comeback this season, perhaps inspired by the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, or maybe just because fashion is cyclical. At Eckhaus Latta, the look was oversized and masculine, as if you had borrowed your significant other's tux instead of his shirt; at Dion Lee the shape was more slim-cut and flattering, while at Area it was tweed and prim, with matching gloves. Our favourite was probably the LBTD – that's the little black tux dress – at Milly, which we can see ourselves rocking from boardroom to bedroom easily.

Last season, every influencer and editor on the front row wore a checked tweed blazer; this season, that has translated to the catwalk, with the heritage fabric making a quiet comeback. The Olsen twins used it to make long pleated skirts with matching jackets, while at Calvin Klein, granddad style coats were contrasted with floor-skimming pretty dresses. Meanwhile at Prada, tweed was used as a foil to fluorescent and digital prints, and was seen in bandeau dresses, mid-length coats and cropped trouser and top combos.