By Liv Barry
Lifestyle Editor
Over the past month, fashion brands across the globe debuted their Spring/Summer 2023 runway shows.
This season’s shows began during New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2023 (NYFW S/S 23), which ran from Sept. 6 through Sept. 14.
Throughout the remainder of the month, London, Milan, and Paris Fashion Week followed in the footsteps of NYFW, serving as platforms for rising and established designers to showcase their newest collections.
Typically, these collections forecast what items will trend the following season. Once a certain style catches the fashion world’s attention, that look trickles down into the collections of other designers, which will then be seen on fashion influencers, and finally, sold in department stores and outlets.
Due to the expedition of the trend cycle, however, runway looks are catching on with the public quicker than ever. The popular garments from the S/S 23 runway shows will likely seep into mass styles within the next month.
With that in mind, here are some predictions of what fashion week looks will trend during the upcoming fall and winter seasons.
Loud patterns
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, minimalism was a defining feature of fashion. In S/S 21 shows, plain, neutral-colored looks were favored over the maximalist prints of earlier seasons.
Now, nearly three years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pendulum is swinging back in favor of brash, colorful patterns.
In Tommy Hilfiger’s S/S 23 collection “Tommy Factory,” models walked down the catwalk in stripes and plaids. Emblazoned on polo shirts, chunky scarves, and pants, these preppy patterns are likely to be popular during fall.
Colina Strada also featured bold patterns on their S/S 23 runway. While plaid was also a common thread throughout the show, the brand styled clashing patterns together to create collage-like looks.
Inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett’s “The Secret Garden,” Carolina Herrera’s S/S 23 collection features elegant florals that can be worn for any occasion. While florals are uncommon to wear during fall and winter, this collection might spark a new trend of styling flower patterns for the cool weather.
Silk
Although silk slip dresses have been in style for the past few years, this season’s collections doubled down, elevating the slip dress trend with skirts, corsets, and jackets.
The fabric was frequently seen throughout the Colina Strada show. Many of the collection’s loud patterns were printed on silk garments, like pants and skirts.
Prada’s S/S 23 collection riffed on the silk slip dress trend, turning the feminine silhouettes of dresses into edgier, androgynous garments that hung loose around the bodies of models.
While silk is associated with warmer weather, these baggy pieces can be layered over warm undergarments to create unique looks for the fall and winter.
Menswear
Without a doubt, the biggest trend to come out of this season is menswear.
Structured blazers were featured in multiple different shows, including Prada, Sandy Liang, and Gucci. Because blazers can be layered underneath or on top of other pieces to keep warm, these looks are easily replicable for the chillier seasons.
Another menswear piece popular this season is suspenders. During her London Fashion Week show, Irish designer Simone Rocha contrasted industrial suspenders with delicate, feminine pieces.
Varsity jackets are a staple of street style, but their reappearance on the runway means that the piece will make a major comeback in the next few months. Diesel, Gucci, and Tommy Hilfiger all featured bulky leather varsity jackets. When worn on top of a dress or skirt, varsity jackets give an edge to softer looks.
While it is fun to style emerging trends, keep in mind that personal style is paramount to creating a cohesive outfit. Try to style these looks in a way that feels authentic to you.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Photo caption: Menswear pieces, including pin-stripe suits, blazers, varsity jackets, and khaki fabric, were spotted frequently during Spring/Summer 2023 New York Fashion Week, both on the runway and in street wear.