September may be fashion month, but this year it means something slightly different for one-half of A Style Album. Louise Redknapp is swapping her usual style uniform for sequins, glitter and spandex, and she's taking to the dancefloor on Strictly Come Dancing 2016. The timing is impeccable when you think about it: Ballroom-inspired clothes and accessories are genuinely on-trend for the autumn/winter 2016 runways.
The new season catwalks were awash with plenty of sparkle in all manner of sparkly finishes (from gem embellishment to high-shine metallics), not to mention ruffles, velvet and party heels being worn for day. With all of that in mind—and now Lou's inside track on how these costumes are made IRL—here's how we’ll be interpreting the trends for the upcoming season, taking the ballroom glamour from the dance floor to the streets.
Keep reading to see the Strictly Come Dancing trends we'll cha-cha into our own wardrobes…
To avoid looking tacky in sequins, don't show too much flesh. Really cheap iterations can fall apart after one wear, so don't be afraid to splash a bit more cash on this trend—it's a perennial favourite come party-dressing season, so you'll always have a piece you can get more wear out of. And who wouldn't be thrilled with this Preen dress forever more?
We’ll be dressing down ours with heavy boots and knits by day for an off-duty spin on the trend (add heels if you want to be more sophisticated like Giovanna Battaglia, pictured here), and going head-to-toe sequins by night for ultimate after-dark glamour.
Shop our sequin picks:
Related: The Ultimate Not-Autumn, Not-Summer Shoe Style You Need
Velvet was one of the standout trends for A/W 16, heavily featured at Topshop Unique, Preen, Erdem and Valentino (pictured here), to name but a few. The slip dress is an easy way to work the velvet trend into your wardrobe and will become your new go-to, but we're also into the trouser suit—it's a coolly casual way to buy into the sumptuous fabric.
We’ll be teaming a crushed velvet blazer with beat-up jeans and heels this fall for daytime decadence—think of Alexa Chung in this combination and go forth!
Shop our velvet picks:
Related: Velvet Shoes: The #1 Affordable Trend You'd Be Insane to Miss
Cha-cha your way into autumn with ruffles aplenty, and you’ll have endless fun shimmying and swooshing in real life—this Gucci gown being the dream choice. Ruffles work equally as well by day as they do for an evening—so you can choose them 24/7.
Team a frilled jumper with a leather pencil skirt for a day-to-night look, or go all-out dancing girl emoji in full-length ruffles like Charlotte Groeneveld of The Fashion Guitar.
Shop our ruffled picks:
Related: Your Autumn Shopping Guide, According to a Fashion Expert
Lou can’t wait to pull on her dancing shoes for her opening Strictly dance, and it looks like the designers have been taking inspiration from the ballroom: From sandals echoing the '70s disco era at Gucci to the jewel-encrusted stilettos at Miu Miu (pictured here) and Valentino’s balletic slingbacks. Shoes this season are opulent, decadent… and high!
You can wear your dancing shoes as and when you feel like it. Casually with denim is always a good call when your outfit needs smartening up, but don't be afraid of going entirely girlish and wearing them with a pretty dress. These shoes may not be made for walking great distances, but they do make a great statement.
Shop our dancing shoe picks:
If you love dressing up to the nines, you have to check out these amazing date-night outfit ideas.
