On the New York ready-to-wear catwalks, designers have confirmed what we expected: the collections prioritize ease of use.
Except for a few viral moments (Collina Strada’s kink-inspired animal heads and Rodarte’s Morticia Addams-approved theatrics), most of the clothing unveiled during FW season focused on the simplicity of craftsmanship.
Whether the collections were bespoke or sculpted, undone or carefully curated, the New York runways seemed to collectively want to inspire the wearer.
Regardless of the wearer’s personal aesthetic, whether it’s a fierce Y2K style à la Kim Shui or a cute look like Sandy Liang’s, these pieces will be stopping on the runway and in our closet.
We rounded up six wearable fashion trends emerging from the fall winter 2023 fashion season.
1. 90’S MINIMALISM
Y2K is out, 90s is in.
When it comes to the New York runways, we’re reminded of the preppy period of refined luxury, effortless elegance and elite minimalism à la Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
At Tory Burch, we saw muted color tones, expertly tailored dress shirts and slouchy sweaters reign supreme.
Sandy Liang also put a contemporary spin on the aesthetic by pairing nostalgic knits with mini skirts.
Proenza Schouler prioritized expertly crafted, handcrafted pieces that can be stripped down and mixed with existing items in your wardrobe.
The only accessory required is the sexiest of all: confidence.
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy wasn’t the only ’90s American icon mentioned in New York.
Directly in scenes from Nirvana’s iconic MTV Unplugged performance (which was aptly filmed in New York), Coach made a sartorial reference to Kurt Cobain’s signature grunge-striped sweater (right down to the raw hems and moth-bitten holes). ).
Elsewhere in Coach’s collection, the 1999 sci-fi The Matrix was called upon for inspiration through a series of leather ensembles resembling Neo’s iconic trench coat.
Across town, Heron Preston must have had the 1998 cult-favorite psychedelic thriller Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas on his mind. With motorsport motifs like leather gloves, distressed leather jackets and flame-adorned sporty essentials, we can’t help but feel transported from the runways of New York to the deserts.
We may be in the age of quiet luxury and nouveau minimalism, but the New York runways are proving that animal prints remain a timeless style.
Australia favorite Dion Lee featured python prints and scale designs. Both green and gray snakeskin prints appeared on asymmetrical skirts and knee-high boots, while the scale motif was seen on dresses.
Collina Strada took animal imagery to the next level with her collection titled ‘Please Don’t Eat My Friends’. Aside from the dazzling dog heads, the models turned into animals.
It is this provocation that continues to fuel the discourse on the role of animals in the fashion industry.
If the post-mercore aesthetic isn’t a sign of how fast the trend cycle is moving, then we don’t know what is.
Dion Lee delivered a mercore-inspired indie sleaze take, with fishnet halter-neck tank tops going in a grunge direction.
Elsewhere in the collection, diamond studs were embedded in blazers and leather-belted dresses, reminiscent of the scales on a mermaid’s tail.
Lingerie as outerwear continues to be a popular style as we transition from the days of dressing in the bathroom (hello, COVID) to dressing for cocktail bars.
Designers continue to incorporate delicate lace details into dresses as a surprising and unsuspecting way to explore this aesthetic.
In Sandy Liang’s romantic collection, lace was used to conjure up this feeling of tenderness and ease in women’s clothing, which is seen in the transparent white lace dress.
This piece was styled with core ballet elements as it was paired with baby pink satin ballerinas and leggings.
Anna Sui took a more nostalgic, gothic route, opting for a sparkly 1920s-style minidress with black lace details and matching gloves.
With fashion returning to a sensibility of quiet luxury, it’s only natural that designers spend more time perfecting elements of a garment that are often overlooked. As it seems, the simple sleeve has caught the eye of New York fashion week designers.
At Tory Burch, the exaggerated sleeve found itself at the center of their ’90s-style collection.
Rodarte upped the ante with his vamp-inspired collection of looks straight out of Morticia Addams’ wardrobe.
Her collection of jersey dresses and knit jumpsuits had floor-length sleeves. A whole statement of style.
