Cityscape catches up with Ballantynes’ fashion guru Josie Pasane about layering up for autumn and getting in touch with your outer animal.

From the perfect print to the coats you’ll be clamouring for when the temperature drops, here’s a few tips to get you through AW19. Fashion is going wild this season; think animal print. It seems our wardrobes will be getting a whole lot fiercer with zebra, tiger, snake and crocodile prints joining the classic leopard that we know and love. It’s a jungle out there! Whether it is a bag, a coat or a statement belt, animal print is like wearing a red lip. It instantly elevates any outfit and always looks great.

Stylist Tip: For a more day-to-night piece, invest in a leopard print midi skirt and you will not regret it.

The key to dressing fashionably in the cooler months without compromising comfort? Transform yourself into a human artichoke. Or, in other words, learn how to layer by playing with texture and volume in a masterful game of accumulation. Get ready to pile it on!

My favourite three layering pieces are: roll necks, sweaters and ponchos/capes. Not only will a roll neck keep you snug all season long, it looks good with anything – layered under a sleeveless dress, paired with a sweater or simply worn on its own. There’s no denying that sweaters are the building blocks of every well-rounded autumn wardrobe which is why, as it cools down, our hunt for the perfect sweater heats up. Look for styles that are cosy, cute, and easy to layer. For the finale, add a loose-fitting poncho or cape.

Every stylist, influencer and fashionista will agree – checks, plaid and tartan are no strangers to the winter wardrobe. From jackets to pants, oversized scarves to statement coats, the timeless print is on fire this season and there are no signs of it slowing down. Try mixing your plaids not just by colour but by material too and if statement pieces aren’t your thing, you can make a more subtle nod to the look with your accessories.

Stylist Top Tip: If you’re buying one checked piece this season, I’d recommend a Prince of Wales blazer. Use it to smarten up denim, to offset the floatiness of a chiffon floral dress or as a stylish cover-up for evenings. Add a pair of matching trousers, and your new trouser suit will check off two trends at once.

ballantynes.co.nz