Fall Trend Alert: Go Tribal!

It’s easy to slip into monotonous colors when the lazy autumn winds start blowing in, so to keep your look stylish for fall, why not heat things up by adding some warm tribal patterns to your closet? I’ve rounded up everything you need to keep on board with the Tribal Trend this season!

MAC Cosmetics recently launched their new Styleseeker Collection featuring warm earthy tones to keep us nice and cosy this autumn. The dark reds, sunny golds and snug browns of the range are inspired by globe trekkers wandering through Moroccan souks, sniffing Indian spices or visiting the tribes of Africa, whilst MAC’s international make-up artist James Molloy showcased how we could make these tribal-inspired shades work for our everyday less nomadic lives too (check out the coppery smoky eyes teamed with a relatively nude lip above)!

Meanwhile, I tried the Marché Aux Puces Eyeshadow Duo ($250, bottom left) featuring Chessa, a golden orange shade for the lids, which I smoked up using the other side of the duo Indie Spirit, a matte chestnut brown. Even with their coppery undertones, I found these easy to handle without making the eyes look puffy (James advises applying lashings of black mascara to stop the swollen look too) and Chessa in particular is such a pretty colour! The other key eyeshadow duo of the collection is On The Hunt (top right), comprising of Star Myth (a coppery apricot) and Raving Mad (a burnt ruby) – use these for a more autumnal take on the smoky eye, as seen on the model earlier.

Instead of a harsh black eyeliner, MAC suggests using Fluidline Gel Eye Liners ($150) in shades like Dark Diversion (a blackened plum), Local Wares (a dirty olive) and Rich Ground (an earthy terracotta). These colours soften the eye, allowing you to go for a sun-kissed Powder Blush ($185) like Worldly Wealth, a shimmering peachy bronze – add a few strokes to the bridge of your nose for a faux tan effect! To complete my Style Seeker look, I used my personal favourite of the new Mattene Lipsticks, Camden Chic ($150), a brick red tint that adds a pop of colour without screaming for attention. These lipsticks are super-saturated in colour and tap into the trend for deep matte lips this season.

Now that you have a suitably sun-kissed glow thanks to MAC, it’s time to go tribal with the rest of your look! The key to tribal pizzazz is a smorgasbord of jewellery. Load on these Deep Gurnani bangles or earrings like these Serefina feathery numbers. The more the merrier should be your mantra, but if you prefer understated accessories, you could instead throw on this Pieces patterned scarf or this colourful hip belt from River Island.

Of course, to be a true Style Seeker, you need a pair of sizzling sandals to trek the world (or simply the streets of HK) with! I love these tribal TOMS flats for kicks and can just imagine pairing these Timeless Kasey sandals with a turquoise summer dress. Scaling LKF but still want a lift? Try these colourful Steve Madden wedges (also spotted by our style writer Katie in Central/Central!) for that extra oomph in your step!

I know that a loud tribal outfit might seem a little out of place in the midst of black suited Central, so I found this more demure top from To Love Kuvaa that you could don with a pair of casual black jeans (layer over a plain top if you’d rather hide your midriff!) or this pale Vero Moda dress for a cocktail event – both are in more neutral shades, letting the print do the talking! If you’re feeling even bolder, try this fitted Lipsy London body contour dress, which would definitely spice up a night out!

So whether you’re a fierce dresser or prefer to keep things a little more tame, there’s a place for exotic patterns in everyone’s wardrobe… and make-up bag! So keep the fire blazing this fall and suit up tribal-style!

The MAC Styleseeker Collection is available now at MAC counters in the Lab Concept FACES in Admiralty and Harbour City FACES in Tsim Sha Tsui; it will be available at all MAC locations in Hong Kong (see here for full addresses) from 31 August.