Choosing the right sweatshirt

Last week I was fortunate enough to spend an afternoon sitting in on fashion buyer meetings, (which I must say any girl who likes clothes would LOVE), and they were discussing what is next on the fashion agenda for Autumn/Winter 2013. I will start by sharing a little of some of what I learnt from one of the representatives for USC.

Currently in trend are ladies sweatshirts. The types that are set to be most popular are bold animal prints, patterns, floral, textured materials and even velour!
When it comes to choosing the right sweatshirt for you:
There are many styles of sweatshirts; crew neck, round neck, scooped neck, high neck and v neck, the list goes on.. It is important that you get the correct sweater for your shape and fashion style. There are online guides to choosing the right sweatshirt for your figure, so it may be an idea to look at these first if you are still unsure about what best suits you. Choosing the right style for you is just as important as choosing the right colour!

Colour wise, a favourite all year rounder is black, yet marl colours are also doing well (the ones which have an all over speckle) . Greys and golden brassy tones are also set to be the next big thing, in keeping with the autumn weather which sees the leaves changing to a lovely array of burnt orange and reddy brown tones.  The least popular colours are expected to be neon. Sales have slowed a little over the past year, and as they are bold statement pieces, they aren’t expected to do as well this time around. That’s not to say that if you fall in love with a neon sweater that you shouldn’t buy one! If you have enough style to pull it off then why not bring back the neon trend yourself!

If you are tall, make sure you try the sweatshirt on before you buy if you can! You don't want to get home and find that the sleeves are far too short for you, as a lot of styles are not very generous. Another idea is to buy clothes that are specially designed for those who are taller, as many shops do have separate sections now for tall and petite!

If you are a legging or jeggings wearer, why not invest in a dipped hem sweatshirt that will allow you to show off your pins and feel comfortably covered at the same time. This saves you having to wear jeans when you’re settled at home watching a movie.
A final point to consider is whether you want a loose fitting or a fitted sweater. There is a big difference! Boyfriend style/ oversized sweaters are baggy and go well with a pair of statement leggings and pumps. You may feel like you are a little girl again playing dress up the first time you put one on but they are the ultimate comfort! Fitted jumpers can be worn with a pair of skinny jeans and heels, or a smart pair of trousers depending on the occasion. Both types can be glammed up to look nice for evenings out, throw on a neckscarf or a chunky necklace and you are well away!