As each fashion week wraps up, we slowly open our trends lists and check things off. Drop waists? Check. Smoky eyes? Check. East-West bags? You guessed it, they’re there. But along with what’s currently popular, we also spotted new trends being created on the runways while others cemented trends that were slowly brewing, adding the final stamp of approval. Here’s what caught our eye and what we’re loving lately.
Short Bold Nails
With the exception of Khaite’s silver claws, nails this season kept things lowkey. Most runways opted for short bare nails, while Tory Burch and Michael Kors switched things up with a deep palette to match the season’s mood.
Leather Gloves
Although gloves have been trending for a while now, we’re loving how leather gloves were incorporated in this season! For most runways, gloves took on a second skin-like feeling, seamlessly blending in with the outfit. Of course, this trend also comes at a more practical time as New York currently experiences a snowstorm.
Experimental Layering
And considering that snowstorm, layering has become a means of survival more than anything else. But, if there’s anything the designers this week told us, it is that layering can be fun and fashionable. The modest dressers here know the art of layering all too well, so it was a pleasant surprise to see textures and prints experimented through layering over at Michael Kors, Coach, and Collina Strada.
Dramatic Shoulders
A trend that’s been carried over from last season, this season’s take on dramatic shoulders gives Jacob Elordi a run for his money. Michael Kors incorporated wide shoulders through their jackets, while Carolina Herrera went for the more subtle approach, allowing the shoulders to melt into balloon sleeves. Calvin Klein by far had the most dramatic version; Khaite kept things boxy with theirs, incorporating them into cropped jackets; and Collina Strada went for the rounded approach, making their shoulders look like comically large shoulder pads.
Furry Accents
Fur isn’t going anywhere this season. Both on and off the runways, fur coats were everywhere. But fur also got an upgrade as stoles and as an accent fabric.
Bold Brooches
Brooches as a statement have been coming up as a trend for a while now, and this season just cemented it. At Tory Burch, sardine brooches gave a fun, whimsical look, while at Coach, star brooches were a motif that furthered the narrative of American fashion archetypes.
Ruff Collars
While some were using scarves to protect their necks, some designers went the Shakespearean route. At Carolina Herrera, ruff collars were subtly incorporated, wide and expansive so as to not cling to the neck. The opposite can be said for Collina Strada and Coach, who weren’t shy of showing off the ruffled collar.
Perfectly “Messy” Hair
While an oxymoron, we did watch hair slowly become intentionally messy, where their messines originates from perfection. Calvin Klein did it best with a super-wet look featuring comb marks and haphazardly swept to the side, as if the hair was washed clean mere moments before appearing on the runway. Whereas Collina Strada went for the more haggard approach, making seemingly “perfect” hairstyles look lived in.
Everything Assymetrical
Jacquemeus’ Le Palmier’ began a ripple effect on the runways. Everything is suddenly asymmetrical. Hemlines, necklines, and styling, we’re seeing a shift from clean cut perfection to looks where something is not quite right. At Jacquemeus, it was obvious with the fountain hair and uneven earrings, while some shows like Proenza Schouler went the subtle route with uneven makeup, complete with half-done lipstick that slightly distorts the face.
Retro Bob
Bobs are always a staple during fashion week but the kind of bob that frequently appears is what we keep our eyes out for. This season, retro styled bobs are appearing more frequently on the runways—medium length and finished with a kiss curl. Tolu Coker and Conner Ives were some of the runways where we spotted this fancy up-do, delicately framing the face.
Fancy Brows
While we rarely see anything crazy going on with the brows, historically, they have oscillated between thick and thin. This season, designers have begun to use brows as part of their wider storytelling, allowing them to sculpt or make a statement. We saw the latter at Simone Rocha, where models were given multiple hoop piercings. Whereas British label LABRUM pulled focus with gold stamps right above the eyebrow, mimicking the collection’s patterns.
Vampy Grey
Mainly seen on Richard Quinn’s presentation at London Fashion Week, models were seen all sporting a faint grey eyeshadow which stood out against their minimal makeup and slick back buns. It was edgy, slightly sickly, but perfectly encapsulating the mood of the Autumn-Winter season.
