NYFW: Trending Takeaways
Six days of extravagant runway moments, iconic fashion legends, and memorable A-list appearances later, New York Fashion Week 2023 has ended. When scrolling through social media, it’s exciting to point out the most intriguing camp designs; in a culture of endless critiques, people have fun pointing out their collection obsessions and those that may not be their favorites. Fashion lovers like to involve themselves in the event in some way, allowing them to feel a part of it, especially at a distance. Another option that intertwines us with NYFW and gives a bigger picture of current fashion is this year's wearable trends.
Although fashion week always has statement looks, exemplified by the art-adjacent collections and unusual materials, one of the best parts of fashion week is the framework of what’s up and coming for the season. By taking a step back and examining the overall week, there are patterns in texture, colors, and other areas. Below is a rundown of three trends showcased time and time again in NYFW this year, giving a glimpse into those that can be recreated and implemented into one’s individual style choices.
Red
One of the most prevalent trends seen in NYFW this season was the use of red, replacing the popular pink shade from 2022’s shows. It's important to note that this shade of red didn’t lean towards the darker shade of burgundy and not to the opposite end of orange - it's a fiery red. Many of the shows used the hue as a power move, utilizing it in entire pieces like dresses, pants, and top sets, jackets, and more; some favorites were shown by Tory Burch, Jonathan Simkai, and Sandy Liang, although it truly appeared in an obscene amount of designer’s clothes. Many other shows still used it, just in more subtle ways; Heron Preston exemplifies one. He used a punch of red in a hat, and others added it in slightly with bags, headbands, heels, and other ways that don’t completely consume an outfit but still add that pop of color. Either course can be used in everyday life, as injecting a shade of red can boost almost any look.
Hardware Details
Another popular trend in many collections was hardware details, which included buckles, straps, and other implementations. These heavy metals brought a grungier edge to many looks, elevating many jackets and pants. This also included exposed zippers and oversized shoe closures, using them as part of the look rather than hiding it, as typically done in the past. These were seen at Sukeina, ASHLYN, and Eckhaus Latta. Mixing these metals with other colors, accessories, and more, they can combine different elements to create a certain look, whether the darker route or a more glamorous one.
Strong Shoulders
While the hit of blazers and coats were seen throughout the week to cover up during the chillier days stylishly, the idea of a more structured tailor was still incorporated in other designs. Using powerful sleeves and shoulder padding adds shape, such as one of Prabal Gurung’s looks paired with simple, striped trousers. The volume these elements create brings confidence, and its implementation was extremely versatile on the runway. Viktor&Rolf were more playful with theirs, raising dresses’ shoulders to give a darker, more distorted feel, as the shape changes the body's look. Instead of using patterns like Gurung, Viktor&Rolf used monochromatic whites and stark blacks to bring all the attention to the elongated shoulders.
Rather than pastels and lighter materials, which were still seen in some collections with lavender hand lace, these three takeaways reflect an edgier fashion for the season. They’re all bold on their own but also can add a punch to any simple outfit. By weaving these accessible ideas into your closet, you can experiment with stand-out New York Fashion Week trends that dominated the shows for a reason.