By Our favorite time of year is back, babes. It’s officially Fashion Month! And while we would’ve loved to have been catching flights and catching the latest trends around the world, we’re resorting to reporting from the comfort of our own homes this year.
First up? New York! And let us be the first to say that even though the runway looks a little different this year, the Empire State definitely didn’t let us down. While presenting a collection in the midst of a global pandemic certainly calls for creativity, it’s apparent that fashion lovers everywhere won’t be missing out on any of the typical Fashion week flair, even though we’re watching through our laptop screens.
And if you’re on the hunt for a first glance at this year’s hottest trends, look no further! Below, we’re sharing our favorite NYFW looks and giving you a rundown on all of the trends you need to watch right now.
Colors:
1. Red
It’s bold, beautiful and breathtaking – and it’s all over the NYFW runway this season. Ravishing red burned bright across the board, finding its way into collections from a diverse list of designers. We not only saw it used for a pop of color here and there, but also for looks worn from head-to-toe – specifically for Jason Wu, who paired a chunky turtleneck sweater with a long maxi dress printed with Coke bottles. After a year of mundane neutrals, this shocking shade is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Patterns:
1. Florals
Florals for spring? Maybe not so groundbreaking. But florals for fall? Now that’s a trend we can get behind. And from what we can tell, the designers of NYFW can get behind it too. This season, we’ve been seeing florals blooming all across the runway, adorning anything and everything from puffer coats and pants, to blouses and maxi dresses. While these floral motifs bloomed on the runway, it’s safe to say that they will be planted in our wardrobes for the rest of the year to come.
2. Plaid
If you’re looking for a trend that checks off all the boxes, then this is the one for you. This season, the NYFW runway was looking oh-so pretty in plaid. It added a bit of school girl prep to Alice + Olivia’s Gossip Girl inspired collection, specifically in the way of a cool slip dress, styled with a long coat and a grungy shirt tied around the waist – all of which were plaid. It also ruled the runway when it came to outerwear, finding its way onto a Jason Wu peacoat, a Dennis Basso jacket, and various blazers from Veronica Beard and Cinq A Sept. While plaid is a heritage pattern that dates back to Scottish Highlander kilts, it’s officially gotten a New York- style refresh for a look that feels very “now”.
Styles:
1. Bustiers & Corsets
It’s no secret that the it-girls and IG influencers of the world have spent the last year embracing bustiers and corset-style tops. But, it may come as a surprise that the designers of NYFW have adopted them too. The corset renaissance has officially continued this season, making it clear that this style is no longer a piece of forgotten history. Collections from Prabal Gurung and Staud brought on a re-birth of both bustier tops and corset-style panel dresses, specifically in bright colors. So you can count on this trend to continue bringing on that boudoir-inspired glamour and cottage-core romanticism all year long.
2. Cropped Coats
It’s not just you, the coats that just walked down the NYFW runway are definitely looking a little shorter than usual. This season, cropped coats appeared in just about every style you could possibly imagine, from a Dennis Basso fur bolero to a Veronica Beard double breasted blazer and an Alice + Olivia boucle tweed jacket. Regardless of the style, these coats brought a touch of overall sophistication, while also providing a silhouette that’s more fashion forward than a typical coat. We also became quickly obsessed with the way the pros styled it this season – each one offering an elongated take on the ensemble by contrasting it with longer layers worn underneath.
3. Trench Coats
This season, we saw re-imagined classics and de-constructed versions of the trench coat. From Jonathan Simkhai’s hand-crocheted trench to Staud’s monochromatic lilac look that includes a buttery leather trench with oversized pockets, we saw no shortage of trench coats coming down the runways. If you’re no stranger to this timeless silhouette, try giving your trench coat a refresh by belting it with an oversized logo belt like this one, or style it with complementary tones to create a monochromatic look of your own.
4. Puffer Coats
This season, puffer coats proved they’re here to stay. We saw floral statement puffers in Staud’s fall/winter collection and even puffer outwear accessories- hello playful puff scarf at Jason Wu. Expect to see length versatility and more sophisticated versions of previous puff coats from the past. We predict this will be the ultimate outwear trend for fall-winter 2021.
5. Button-downs
Previously, fashion girls everywhere were styling button-downs with most of the bottom buttons undone. Now, classic button-downs are going back to a traditional way of being styled, either buttoned to the top or leaving a few buttons undone at the neckline. Cinq a Sept nailed this effortless styling approach with a crisp white button-down shirt that is perfect to layer underneath blazers or sweaters. Trust us, we are also getting major flashbacks to the days when we would wear button-downs five days a week for over four years, but a little node to nostalgia never hurt anyone. If you’re craving more of a bold button-down, then you’ll love Staud’s argyle and floral print version or Proenza’s Schouler’s lime green silk style.
6. Turtlenecks
If you’re looking for a versatile top, then the turtleneck is the must-have piece you need in your closet. Turtlenecks are a part of our curated collection of basics that we wear season after season. We can always rely on this fashion staple to style with different outfits and to keep us warm in the fall and winter.
This season, we saw patterned turtlenecks anchoring Jason Wu trench coats and Proenza Schouler blazers. Alice and Olivia introduced a neon green version which is a complete 180 from the typical neutral counterparts we are familiar with seeing each season. It’s safe to say we standby this classic and are so here for styling these updated versions this fall.
Fabrics:
- Leather & Vegan Leather
Most labels and fashion houses are introducing eco-friendlier and more sustainable materials like faux-leather into their collections. Since 2020 was the year of wearing loungewear introducing textural elements like faux leather in different silhouettes and hues may be the refresher our wardrobes are craving right now. Staud, Cinq A Sept, and Proenza Schouler showed leather blazers and button-downs in neutral-colors that look like butter. Alternatively, Alice + Olivia opted for a glossy metallic version that makes for a great statement piece. Either way, we cannot get enough of these leather pieces. You can expect to see them gain more popularity this season.
Let us know which trends are your favorite in the comments below!
What do you think?