Christmas In July with Next

That Dapper Chap goes to the Next Christmas Catwalk and sees the trends for the coming season

The snowy scene inside the Waldorf Hilton Hotel

The stunning Waldorf Hilton Hotel, venue for the event

The venue for the Next Christmas catwalk show was the super stylish Waldorf Hilton Hotel and what a fitting scene for the exciting pieces coming our way towards the end of the year.

Yours truly at the event

It was a bit odd walking off the street in blazing sunshine into a Christmas themed room complete with decorations and show covered fir trees. I'm just pleased that they has a pianist providing delightful background music rather than horrific Christmas songs that 'grace' our radion from November the first!

Fine tunes provided by classical musicians

As we mingled, ate breakfast and sipped great coffee surrounded by rails of new clothing and accessories, the catwalk was being prepared.

For men, Christmas attire has stepped up a gear with a seriously rich colour palette offset with cool, alpine influences. Printed tailoring is set to be a wardrobe staple too, neatly paired with roll neck sweaters and super suave bow-ties. I'm personally excited by the thick brushed wool coats with a fur collar and cannot wait to get my hands on one to keep out those winter chills!

Mannequins dressed for colder weather

Harris Tweed accessories

Rails of new season menswear

Delicious food for the guests

Smart tailoring layered over soft knits

Christmas in July. Frosted trees decorate the venue

Brogues continue to be a must have for the end of the year

The Harris Tweed collection in brown

Soaking up the atmosphere and looking for coffee!

The Catwalk

As the doors opened to the catwalk, guests parted with their empty coffee cups and made their way in, all vying for that perfect seat. I luckily got a good spot right at the front. The lights dimmed and the show started. First ladies day wear followed by menswear for the daytime.

casualwear has a real Alpine influence, flannel checked shirts and fairisle sweaters are teamed with raw finish denim and chunky soled boots. Beanie and bobble hats keep our heads warm and thick scarves keep the chills off our necks.

Casualwear hits the Next catwalk

Comfortable clothing in simple colours

A grey flecked coat layered over a checked flannel shirt

More casual prices come our way

A smarter casual look with wool trousers teamed with a statement sweater

Blazers and beanies feature this coming season

Guests enjoy the new season menswear

Mr John Halls models a quilted jacket over an alpine knit

Chunky knits, scarves and boots

A simply hooded jacket over a geo knit sweater

The looks keep coming

quilted hooded jacket layered over a textured knit and flannel shirt

More textured knitwear, a key trend this winter

Fur collared jacket over yet another textured knit

Fairisle knitwear continues again this winter

A think winter coat with fur trimmed hood

Roll neck sweaters are another key trend

Formalwear this season sees tone on tone colours in a dark, rich palette mixed with jewel shades. As stated earlier, it's clear that printed tailoring is also carrying through from summer and autumn but its updated in heavier, wool fabrics and paired with roll neck sweaters. Coats are the wardrobe staple; with an added fur trim they become a statement piece for winter.

Neat bow ties and cleated brogues complete any dapper gents christmas attire.