Autumn fashion season: fantasy, color and the joy of dressing up

This autumn and winter's fashion season is moving away from everyday, grounded aesthetics toward a more fantastical direction. If summer was defined by a so-called "anti-algorithm" approach to dressing, fashion houses are now taking things a step further, bringing more playfulness and imagination into their collections.

Color and texture make a comeback

While street style still leans toward a fairly restrained approach, recent fashion shows have been unusually colorful, both literally and figuratively. Designers are offering bold prints, expressive textures and accessories in vivid tones. The overall mood this autumn stands in contrast to the gloomy season — unexpected and joyful.

Fashion stylist Chani Ra told Britain's Who What Wear UK that what matters most isn't the cost of a garment but the joy it brings. Prada designer Miuccia Prada has likewise encouraged embracing life's pleasures, while Louis Vuitton designer Nicolas Ghesquière's motto for the season centers on bringing folklore elements into future fashion.

How you wear it matters more

One of this autumn's key takeaways is that it's not just what you buy that matters, but how you combine and wear it. Fashion experts suggest experimenting with unconventional combinations — such as wearing eveningwear fabrics during the day or pairing athletic wear with silk. It's recommended to look closely at what's already in your wardrobe and find new ways to style familiar pieces.

Barbara Janeczek, head of the global fashion shopping platform Lyst, notes that in recent years shoppers have searched for the perfect classics — the ideal blazer, loafers or white shirt. Now the trend is shifting: people still want these staple pieces to be practical, but they also want them to say a little more about who they are.