We’ve chosen our top winter trends and we are delighted to report that they are looking FABulous!

When it comes to shopping for a new season, and updating your wardrobe with the key elements, it’s important to get some expert insight. We trust you enjoy our series of winter trends – a series of gorgeous fashion, combined with practical tips, on how to make these must-have trends work best for your skin tone, body shape and lifestyle.

This week we showcase the following five trends: Animal Print, Boots, Tribal Prints and Textures, The Basic Pant Suit (Updated!) and Cardigans.

ANIMAL PRINT

Animal prints are showcased again, and we love it, love it, LOVE it!!! Made famous by Marilyn Monroe, Kate Moss and Kendall Jenner this gorgeous print is so stylish, so versatile and so striking. Wear it with basic or bold colours, wear it to the office or over the weekend, wear it as an elegant statement or as a fashion-forward on-trend statement. We hope the versatility excites you as much as it does us! To pull off the look successfully, resist the urge to wear too many animal prints all at once. For our fashion-forward readers we suggest you choose one item, then boldly showcase it. For our classic readers we suggest you opt for an accessory be it a scarf, a bag, bracelets or shoes. Either way this perfectly versatile and super-stylish trend will make you feel like the queen of the jungle – so take a walk on the wild side!

This trend was brought to you by Chata Romano Image Consultant Marlise du Plessis

BOOTS

We are loving the knee and over-the-knee length boots this winter season! And everyone can wear this on-trend style, whether you are short, average height or tall. Either way make sure your boot always covers your knee – if it sits just under your knee it is extremely unflattering. Make sure your boots fit you well – not too loose as the boots will fall down and bunch around your ankle. Choose a slimmer heel if you want to look taller and slimmer. Thicker, chunkier heels work well, but you have to be tall to get away with this style option. An added tip if you want to look taller and slimmer: Make sure the colour of your pant (or skirt or leggings) matches your boots. We have shown some other colour options in this collage, which are so divine, but these will only work if you are tall as the break in colour will make you look shorter. Invest in a colour and style that will go with everything in your wardrobe – a tan, brown, grey or black boot works best. Enjoy!

This trend was brought to you by Chata Romano Image Consultant Alia Motani

TRIBAL PRINTS AND TEXTURES

Also known as Electro Boho or Tribal Pursuit – simply described, this trend equals lots of patterns, lots of colour and lots of texture! Here are my top tips on how to incorporate this fun, eye-catching, trend into your winter wardrobe: Be confident and mix prints keeping the rest of your outfit simple to avoid an overload. If you’d like to look taller and slimmer opt for vertical tribal prints instead of horizontal prints. Add lots of texture! Tribal texture has a weight to it and will look amazing with other textures (like leather, suede and denim), lots of embellishments (like bling and pom-poms) and accessories (like stacked bronze bangles, chunky earrings and layered necklaces). The rustic vibe of this texture works well for all skin tones – Soft, Medium, Deep and Rich – in the tones and shades that work best for your skin tone. Click here to establish your skin tone click here for more about The Chata Romano Colour Chart And, last but not least, tribal texture can be quite dramatic, so don’t be shy when it comes to makeup application – a smoky eye or a glossy lip will go a long way to completing this super fabulous gorgeous fashion statement.

This trend was brought to you by Chata Romano Image Consultant Wendy Hind

THE BASIC PANT-SUIT, UPDATED

The pant-suit has made a big comeback! No longer is this ultimate wardrobe must-have reserved for the boardroom only – it can also be worn for a night out on the town. Simply swop your day top for an evening top and your work shoes for glamourous ones and you are good to go. A pant-suit can give you many creative options when you mix and match the jacket from one suit with the pants of another suit. Proportions play a starring role: The length of your jacket is important. The best overall length is a standard length, the halfway point from your shoulder to the floor. This creates a perfect proportion. A hip length is also gorgeous – if you have a rounded tummy make sure the length of your jacket ends just past the fullness of your tummy. If you want to look slimmer it is best to avoid baggy pants, opt for a tailored pant instead. A suit can look a tad masculine so beautiful jewellery (elegant earrings or a statement necklace) will add a softer touch.

This trend was brought to you by Chata Romano Image Consultant Carla Pattison

CARDIGANS

The traditional cardigan can be a tad granny but it can also be gorgeous! It is one of your most important wardrobe essentials, no matter your age or style preference. Here are some ideas: Wear it belted or loose: Belted will, instantly, give your body shape. Loose will make you look taller and slimmer as it creates a vertical line. Wear it short, medium, standard or long: Wear it short if your tummy, hips and bottom are good : ) Not over the widest point of your hips if you opt for the Medium length. The perfect standard length is the halfway point between your shoulders and the floor. The longer length (stunning at knee length!) will only work with a bottom (dress or skirt) at knee length – it’s all about proportion. Wear it day or night – both look equally fabulous. This practical item can be worn in a classic way to the office or in a cosy way over the weekend – it is the perfect must-have, transitioning from winter to spring.

This trend was brought to you by Chata Romano Image Consultant Marida Pretorius