Autumn's most uplifting trend? Joyous, fun, mood-boosting rainbow stripes. We can trace the trend back to AW16, when Joseph and Paul Smith sent bold, multicoloured stripes down the catwalks. SS17 got even brighter thanks to the crochet at Adam Selman, the knee-high socks Marc Jacobs gave his girls, and Givenchy's electric colourways.
This season, the playful trend took centre stage at AW17's shows, with Ashish leading the pack. The British designer, renowned for his sequins and sparkle, took the rainbow stripe to dizzy heights with vertical and horizontal patterns in all colours and thicknesses across jackets, dresses, trousers and shorts. Our favourite pieces were emblazoned with witty writing such as 'Don't give up the daydream' and positive slogans like 'Love sees no colour.'
Missoni reworked its signature chevrons with wide pastel-hued rainbow stripes, while Indian designer Rahul Mishra presented Mondrian-esque multicoloured stripes over hoodies and ankle-skimming dresses.
Sure, autumn and winter may be synonymous with navy, burgundy and grey, but our wardrobes are calling out for colour this season. From cute accessories to bright knitwear, click through to see the five ways our favourite street stylers are working the cheerful trend.
Dress It Up
A guest outside the Chanel SS18 show at Paris Fashion Week makes a strong case for mismatching the direction of your rainbow stripes.
Dress down the scene-stealing print with box-fresh trainers or go all-out with silver boots and a clashing jacket.
Photo: Getty Images.
This Mara Hoffman number may be a summer staple, but we're layering a slogan knit over the top for autumn.
Mara Hoffman Tie-Front Striped Organic Linen Maxi Dress, £475, available at Net-A-Porter
Wear over jeans for the trend sweeping street style right now.
ASOS Curve T-Shirt Maxi Dress In Rainbow Stripe, £25, available at ASOS
We're in love with Missoni's contrasting take on the rainbow stripe.
Missoni Striped Metallic Ribbed-Knit Midi Dress, £1,280, available at Net-A-Porter
Reformation has made the stripe work hard: get the matching trousers and longer length dress, too.
Reformation Polk Dress, £150, available at Reformation
Just Add Sparkle
Bring some sparkle to your primary colours à la Ashish. Social media manager of Barney's, Candace Marie, brightened up New York Fashion Week with her Mira Mikati bomber jacket.
Make like Candace and choose one rainbow colour to go with for the rest of your get-up, or pair with all black to make the hero piece shine.
Photo: Getty Images.
Ashish's rainbow stripe jacket will make you happy season after season.
Ashish Striped Sequinned Denim Jacket, £1,215, available at Net-A-Porter
We've found the perfect party skirt, courtesy of Topshop.
Topshop Glitter Rainbow Pleat Midi Skirt, £34, available at Topshop
...and the perfect party dress. All eyes on us.
Sara Battaglia Sequinned Tulle Mini Dress, £960, available at Net-A-Porter
Of course Gucci tapped into the trend: the brand's 'more is more' aesthetic had to include both sequins and rainbows.
Gucci Appliquéd Sequinned Striped Wool Sweater, £975, available at Net-A-Porter
Match Your Stripes
Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert is walking proof that more is more. Balancing her fuchsia Sara Battaglia bag and Nancy Gonzalez shoes with the pink in her pleated Gucci skirt and slogan rainbow T-shirt, she tops the look off with black sunnies.
Pair multicoloured striped knits and tops with racing stripe joggers or skirts, and match or clash your accessories as you please. This isn't for the shy and retiring among us.
Photo: Getty Images.
Sportswear isn't going anywhere this season, and Alexa's created the cutest co-ord for lazy Sundays.
Alexachung Zip Up Track Jacket, £250, and Drawstring Track Pants, £175, available at Alexachung
We're keeping cosy in this Marc Jacobs knit.
Marc Jacobs Rainbow-Motif Cotton-Blend Jumper, £265, available at Selfridges
This stepped-hem, rainbow-striped, pleated number from DvF is divine.
Diane Von Furstenberg Striped Asymmetric Stretch-Cady Skirt, £306, available at Matches Fashion
Top It Off
Arguably the easiest way to wear the trend, thanks to the plethora of high street and designer options hitting shops now, the rainbow striped knits, jackets and tees will spoil you for choice.
Blogger Leona wore a blazer from Costa Rican brand Eterea at New York Fashion Week, completing the rainbow with yellow sock boots.
Photo: Getty Images.
We're pairing this knit with vinyl trousers and mules.
Daisy Street Skinny Jumper In Rainbow Knit, £19.99, available at ASOS.
We're digging the oversized fit and roll neck on this Lazy Oaf piece.
Lazy Oaf Rainbow Roll Neck Knit, £75, available at Lazy Oaf.
We're layering this over a dark polo neck knit.
Gap Crazy Stripe Crewneck Sweater, £49.95, available at Gap
Pair this with a denim skater skirt to add a feminine touch.
Ba&sh Rivera Sweater Multico, £250, available at ba&sh
This was the cherry on top of J.W.Anderson's collaboration with Uniqlo.
Uniqlo x J.W.Anderson Oversize Extra Fine Merino Turtle Neck Sweater, £39.90, available at Uniqlo
Orwell + Austen's knits are a delight – get this rainbow in heart motif, too.
Orwell + Austen Cashmere Stars & Stripes Rainbow Cashmere Sweater, £210, available at Wolf & Badger
Ganni's knits are a highlight of this autumn's temperature drop.
Ganni Mercer Striped Wool-Blend Sweater, £150, available at My Theresa
Accessorise With Ease
Elle UK accessories editor Donna Wallace ups the ante with her Ashish rainbow bag. What else could upstage velvet trousers and a patent coat?
Whether it's trainers, party shoes, a scarf or a clutch, a rainbow accessory adds some oomph and is the easiest way to work the trend without going all-out colour.
Photographed by Victoria Adamson.
This chic scarf will go with all our autumn knitwear nicely.
Allude Metallic Striped Cashmere Scarf, £175, available at Net-A-Porter
Sophie Hulme's box bag will brighten any get-up.
Sophie Hulme Albion Square Rainbow Leather Shoulder Bag, £695, available at My Theresa
Replace your trusty kicks with these: just add kick flare denim or matching racing stripe trousers.
Gola Classics Women's Coaster Rainbow, £50, available at Gola
Balenciaga's tote has spawned a few high street imitations, but this sturdy striped number is top of our payday wish list.
Balenciaga Bazar Medium Grained-Leather Tote, £1,045, available at Matches Fashion
Charlotte Simone's fluffy accessories are cosy and cool combined. Opt for the faux fur, of course.
Charlotte Simone Popsicle Scarf, £175, available at Charlotte Simone
These platforms put the pow in your party outfit.
ESXRD Copa Leather Wedge Sandals, £90, available at Matches Fashion
...while these Topshop socks look cute popping out of brogues and trainers.
Topshop Sporty Tube Rainbow Socks, £3.50, available at Topshop
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