5 Key Accessory Trends For AW14

As the dark evenings close in and warm summer days and lighter layers become a distant memory, our thoughts naturally begin to turn to prepping our wardrobe for winter.

Accessories come into their own during the cold-weather season – we layer up with scarves, hats and gloves to keep warm, and opt for sturdier shoes to tackle the inclement conditions underfoot.

Focusing on the pivotal role accessories play in our winter wardrobe, we pick our five favourite trends from the genre for AW14…

1. Slouchy Bags

While smart structured styles are great for the office, this season’s appetite for softer bag constructions is perfect for off-duty days and a practical choice for travel. Backpacks with sporty finishes, canvas duffles and suede holdalls are a strong feature across AW14 collections.

Military and nautical uniform has always been an influential element in menswear design, and the prevalence of the duffle bag this season is in keeping with this theme.

Spacious and easy to carry, sailor duffles are a comfortable alternative to backpacks and make a practical cabin carry on – you’ll easily be able to fit all your in-flight essentials in it, and still have space leftover for a cheeky bottle or two from duty free. Zara’s textured faux-suede design and Fred Perry’s canvas Millerain duffle are just the ticket (below).

Unless you’ve been walking around with your eyes closed for the past few years, you would have noticed that backpacks are back in a big way. A favourite of the modern on the go gent, urban cyclist and outdoor adventurer, this season sees athletic finishes, softer silhouettes and artisan treatments give a fresh face to this most functional of bag designs.

Clever details such as media pockets to protect your tech devices and technical finishes nodding to sport luxe style are just some of the features of AW14’s offering. Check out Zara, Sandqvist and Herschel for some great options.