Australian fashion is a world apart with distinctive designs that shape the industry. Australian fashion trends differ slightly from global trends but follow the central theme. A fashion trend for apparel like knit tops would look different in Australia, though the knit top would still be a trend. The Australian fashion industry brings in around 20 to 30 billion AUD every year, and this collective figure represents the industry’s popularity. With brands like Bottega Veneta in Australia, Australian fashion ideas are finding a growing follower-base outside. Australian fashion has sharper features and is more suited to Aussie weather.
Australia has hot climates usually, and the fashion reflects the weather with clothes comfortable for the heat. The greatest influence on early Australian fashion was that of France rather than that of Great Britain. The clothing of Sydney is stylistically closer to the US, with Melbourne being more British, and that of subtropical cities like Perth and Brisbane favouring casual, brighter, clothing.
THE TRENDS IN AUSTRALIA TODAY: TOP TO BOTTOM
Fashion trends include apparel and accessories for all genders, ranging from hats and caps to shoes and socks. But fashion trends are usually less straightforward and refer to overarching themes rather than particular apparel pieces.
The Nudes
Pastel nudes are back this season, filling shelves of apparel and accessories. Nude is everywhere, from make-up to shoes and sunglasses. Nude comes in various shades, ranging from dark earthy colours to light tones, and people can choose the shade they like best. It apparel pairs well with rose gold or gold accessories, or bolder fashionistas can try a nude and silver pairing. This colour is subtle, and people can pair it with bold statement jewellery for an eye-catching look. Or they could dress it down with whites or golds for a more understated look.
Blocks of Colour
An unprecedented trend taking over Australia is the “colour blocking” trend, which pairs unrelated colours together to form an overall aesthetic. Colour blocking refers to wearing plain apparel with a solid block of colour, for example, a solid pink crop top with a forest green pencil skirt. The colours have no patterns or gradients on them, and the piece has only one colour. These two blocks of colours, juxtaposed together, create an intriguing outfit. People can choose to accessorise with complementing colours, though the dress itself sets a statement.
Patterning
Alongside colour blocking, bold patterns are also in trend, from loud checks to colourful zebra stripes. Patterns in loud colours or colour combinations paired with colour blocks are all the rage. Magazine covers shop windows, and social media feeds constantly advertise this trend, as celebrities and influencers embrace it, flaunting their latest apparel. Patterns can range from animal prints to retro styles like polka dots, pinstripes and tartan, but the colours are modern, from neon colours to pop shades.
Bringing Back The 70s
The 70s fashion of velvet suits, flowing silk dresses, jewel shades, etc., are making a comeback this season. The 70s trend began trending after OTT platforms released several series based on that time, sparking an interest in this fashion. This trend is an excellent example of how media influences fashion. Series with first-time actors and crew rarely influences trends. But today, this situation is more of a reality.
Ethical Fashion
One trend that extends beyond fashion is “choosing ethical”, which requires people to opt for brands that follow ethical protocols and uphold green values. Several couture brands are under scrutiny for sourcing materials from forced labour or for using non-vegan products. More consumers are actively choosing ethical brands for their daily needs.
In Australia, actually nine out of ten people choose ethical, green, vegan, and cruelty-free brands. This shift encourages more brands to change their processes. Leading designers like Bottega Veneta in Australia are bringing the Aussie twist to the world. Their designs are catching the attention of worldwide audiences, with more people trying out Australian couture.