Q. I’m 19 and just about to start university. I’m saving up for a new college wardrobe and I know an aviator jacket would be the perfect addition, but I’m on a budget of €150 or less, so I was wondering if there are any high street versions you could recommend. I’m also not quite sure how to wear it with my existing wardrobe. Have you any suggestions?
A. The show that catapulted the aviator trend was the Burberry show at London Fashion Week last February, when the fashion crowd went wild at the sight of Burberry's chunky sheepskin flying jackets. Christopher Kane's sexy versions of the aviator came in patent black leather embroidered with flowers, and Topshop Unique, Philip Lim and Etro also featured aviator jackets in their catwalk collections.
Take a look at our picks from the high street here.
Burberrys gorgeous aviator jackets come with a wallet numbing price tag of €2,200 but, thankfully, high streets all over the UK and Ireland have produced their own versions of the look at a fraction of the cost. The bad news is that they will sell out fast. As the autumn season sets in, sales of aviator jackets have already gone through the roof. On Net-a-porter.com, the leather Burberry aviator jacket has sold out already and at ASOS there’s already a waiting list of 400 people, eager to get their hands on autumn’s most covetable piece.
You won't be able to escape the aviator jacket this autumn, so snap one up now before the best sell out by the end of this month. Next's faux sheepskin one (€101) has just hit stores and is likely to be snapped up (although it will be replenished) and Topshop has some great styles from chunky sheepskin to bikers with faux fur collars passing themselves off as aviators. Dorothy Perkins also has an eye-catching aviator leather jacket with faux fur lining for only €78, while Pennys has a cheaper faux leather version for €31, leaving you with plenty of cash to splurge at the students union.
Team it with a pair of skinny jeans to balance the bulky fit of the jacket and if you are top heavy, avoid a tight fit and keep the jacket unbuttoned. If your bottom is ample, avoid skinny jeans and go for a skirt instead. You can also wear it with a printed chiffon top and a rich velvet skirt teamed with tan riding boots for a bohemian style, that’s perfect for running around campus and chilly autumn nights. Buy one now to give your autumn wardrobe a flying start.
Wear it Well
Accessorise wise: With fur and zippers, it's already a busy look so go minimal on accessories. Avoid fringy bags or fur-lined boots.
Colour Code: Don't stray from a strict palette of black, coffee, navy and camel. Any bright colour will make you look gaudy.
Be Natural: Keep the make up natural, the look is strong and masculine do not clash with girlie details. A dash of mascara, a hint of gloss on your lips and just minimum blush on your cheeks is the look to flaunt.
