Fashion designer Steffen Schraut: He reveals his fashion no-gos for autumn

Even though summer is just reaching its peak, it is not too early to start thinking about fashion for the cooler autumn days. With a view to the coming autumn/winter season, fashion designer Steffen Schaut (54) reveals his no-gos for the cold months. His current collection has been available at QVC since the end of July. Even though the 54-year-old is an advocate of breaking away from fashion dictates, there are also some things he thinks are best avoided.

What are the no-gos for you for the fall/winter 2024 season?

Steffen Schraut: Chunky boots only suit a few women and have to be combined very skillfully so that they don’t look oversized. They are also often heavy and have rigid soles. They are therefore on my no-go list. If you still want to be eye-catching, you can opt for ankle-high boots in bright colors. For example, I have a model made of suede with a pointed last and stiletto heel in fuchsia and fir green in my QVC collection – very feminine and trendy! A casual option for me in autumn is sneakers with a slightly more robust sole.

And on top?

Schraut: The first thing that comes to mind is knitted sweaters with logo slogans, because I’ve seen some unflattering versions of them recently. They often look too obtrusive and distract from the overall aesthetic of the outfit. Knitwear is a material that doesn’t do logos any good anyway and usually makes them blur easily. If you still want to make a statement, then I recommend prints, patches or a striking necklace over a plain shirt. Another no-go for me in autumn and winter are crop tops. They just don’t fit the aesthetic of the season and aren’t functional when it’s really cold.

Which jackets should we wear in autumn and winter and which ones should we not wear?

Schraut: When it comes to jackets, I like a wide variety of different models, especially in the colder seasons. So basically anything you like is possible. But what is absolutely not allowed is real fur. Not only is that an absolute no-go from an ethical point of view, it is simply no longer contemporary. If you like the look of fur, you can go for the synthetic alternatives. However, teddy fur is more modern and cuddly – it was already trendy last year and can be worn again in autumn and winter 2024.

Skirts, trousers, … what do you think can stay in the closet?

Schraut: Jeans with holes were popular for a long time. I would advise against them for the coming season. I would now like to see a little more casual elegance. This is not only an upgrade for the external appearance, but also gives us a better body feeling.