Spotting Autumn Trends: Blanket

In part three of our search for autumn’s hottest trends we’re going beyond apparel and crossing over to home decor. Fashion is funny in this way and can sometimes really surprise you with its practical value. It once again proves it’s not all just about the appearance but it also strives to be as of the functional use as well.

We first spotted our favorite style icons wrapped into blankets at fall/winter 2013 collection presentations when winter really showed its teeth. Back then it seemed no one really registered it as a trend but rather used it as a warm-up. Chilly streets of Paris were full of cashmere and quilted blankets with big Kenzo logos and graphic LV prints. Worn as scarves or ponchos they kept the cold away and attracted street-style photographers.

Burberry | Ermenegildo Zegna

All wrapped up
And then came the Burberry FW14 show. Christopher Bailey seized the opportunity and wrapped his models into blankets for the defile. The trend was born. We cuddled with the blanket idea on Men’s Fashion Week in Paris and after some research found various takes on the trend. The easiest being to simply take your favorite “blanky” and lay it over the shoulders, like they’ve done it over at Sacai, Boris Bidjan Siberi and Missoni.

If you decide to swap your scarf for a soft blanket this season then make sure it has an interesting print or an unexpected texture. One of the ideas is to make a cape out of it. You’ll achieve the superhero look with committing the two ends together or pinning one down at the shoulder. Take a look at Y-3 and Ermenegildo Zegna for reference. Although the latter might have used an XXL coat to achieve the look of a blanket which is another great styling idea. Talking about coats, stealing the idea from Walter Van Beirendonck, you can also transform your blanket into a warm coat by using safety pins and a belt.

Walter Van Bierendonck | Y-3 | Boris Bidjan Siberi | Louis Vuitton

It’s not just menswear, women also hijacked this trend and made it their own. When fashion offers something so useful, there really is no boundaries, is there? We all slip under the blanket on occasion so why not take that blanket outside the comfort of our home and keep the comfort going. We can’t think of a single reason against it.

Shop the Home Decor section
You get chills just thinking about long winter nights? If your current blanket doesn’t meet the fashion standards than adding some of our finds to your wishlist just might warm you up. Rather than wasting your time going through accessories tabs of your favorite online shops head over to home décor stores and look for your favorite brands there. All the major brands have their home section, think of Louis Vuitton, Missoni and Burberry. There really is no need to search for scarves as blanket, just go straight to the source.

Missoni | Sacai

We love the lifestyle section at Mr Porter, it features elegant blankets that can easily be transformed into capes, scarves or ponchos. The only thing you need to look out for when going for a real blanket is the thickness and its edges. If the blanket is too thick it will be harder to manipulate and therefore harder to pass as a piece of clothing. Fringes are fine, they give a bit of that tribal look, but watch out for silk finishing that can look dated and well… like you’re wearing your bed covers.

There’s a lot of grey out there, neutrals and indispensable black. If you dare to be noticed then we suggest to go for plaids, the Vivienne Westwood is just awesome. Stripes are also huge this season, go for a bit of Missoni or try on The Elder Statesman cashmere blanket. The ultimate fashion piece would be the Sacai tribal print blanket.

Burberry Prorsum Patterned Blanket: Mr Porter $1,495
Missoni Home Funny Blanket: All Modern $995
Paul Smith Cashmere and Wool Blanket: Mr Porter $595

Monogram Blanket: Louis Vuitton $1,420
Denis Colomb Two-tone Blanket: Farfetch $1,239.34
The Elder Statesman Stripe Blanket: Mr Porter $3,725

Vivienne Westwood Plaid Blanket: Farfetch $240
Sacai Tribal-pattern Blanket: Barneys $675
Private 0204 Cashmere Blanket: Farfetch $1,195

John Smedley Wool Travel Blanket: Mr Porter $265
Alexander McQueen Wool Blanket Scarf: Neiman Marcus $745
Doriani Cashmere Blanket: Mr Porter $1,170