New York Fashion Week is an opportunity for designers to showcase their work each season. Spectators scope the runways for common fashion trends to compile into catalogs of suggested pieces for those interested in perusing. We as consumers have access to these trends everywhere from “E! Channel” Fashion Week specials to “Top Ten Trend” lists from fashion magazines and internet websites.
The trends often introduced during Fashion Week consist of high-fashion Couture styles, chic accessories such as wide-brimmed hats this season, and formal wear that stands out with sequins or feathers, such as the ones seen on the runways for fall. These styles are not appropriate as everyday wear, of course. So, how can consumers fit the designers’ latest trends into their everyday life this fall? The answer is to simply take the styles showcased during Fashion Week and incorporate similar looks into their wardrobe .
Courtesy of a “New York Magazine” article by Harriet Mays Powell and Amy Larocca, a compilation of the top ten trends was taken right off the runways during Fashion Week. According to the authors, the following trends were most frequently seen. I have included my own personal suggestions for how to weave these looks into ones look for fall.
To begin, gray is the color of the season. Discard the blacks and browns of last fall and replace them with everything gray. Slim silhouettes covered the runways. Marc Jacobs and Calvin Klein emphasized this trend with tailored dresses and belted coats. The bubble tops and loose fitting bohemian styles of last spring should go back in the closet.
Now, it’s all about accentuating your curves in all the right places. Form fitting blazers and belted dresses cinched at the waist are perfect ways to incorporate this trend into your daily wardrobe.
Tweed is a popular fabric. It is difficult to pull off in a casual fashion, but could be used to create sleek ensembles for the office. Pairing a tweed pencil skirt with a blouse or wearing a tweed blazer to finish off an outfit are two ways in which this trend can be put to everyday use.
Malo and Calvin Klein made comfortable look chic with chunky knit sweaters. Throwing a loose fitting sweater over leggings simply will not do as pants come back into the picture. Runway styles ranged from slouchy menswear at the Michael Kors show to sleek stovepipes at Narciso Rodriguez. Either way, there is such a wide variety of pants styles this season that consumers can easily find pieces that are appropriate for the given occasion. The slouchy menswear styles, for example would pair up nicely with a turtleneck or nice blouse to create laid back business attire.
Designers accessorized pockets, dresses and tops with zippers to create a look that stands out. Hats, whether wide-brimmed, pulled low, or consisting of a scarf were another frequent accessory seen on the runways. Consumers can take this trend and fit it into their wardrobe by covering up this season with scarves, smaller hats, or warm headdresses as temperatures begin to drop.
Clashing is not an issue as designers made blue and black together look trendy. The platform shoe trends from last season continue with classic pumps and a variety of sandals that can be formatted for any occasion.
From tops to full dresses, colorful sequins and glitter created sophisticated looks that scream for attention. Noted designers, Vera Wang and Marc Jacobs made this look stand out on the runways. Dressy tops covered in sparkles over a solid skirt or pants create a look for clubs or party wear. Formal wear is far from traditional as designers such as Thakoon and Isaac Mizrahi made feathers look chic. Consumers may wish to stick to the traditional evening gown, or stand out in a feathered skirt.
The decisions on which looks to imitate depend on what the individual is comfortable with. The point is to take the trends from the runways and find a way to make them appropriate for one’s daily wear; consumers can still be in tune with the newest styles, not dress as extravagantly as the models, and still be successful at looking trendy this fall.
