While the political climate these days may be pure tumult, designers kept things relatively subdued on the runway, and more focus on strong, wearable clothing.
1. Pantsuit Nation
Soft and slouchy or trim and tailored, suits were a near-constant feature on the fall runways. And with many styling options for inspiration, there’s no reason we can’t all harness the power of the pantsuit next season.
2. Fringe Benefits
Fall’s best party pieces are made for shimmy-shaking. Whether strategically deployed on the hem of a skirt or cascading down the length of a dress, fringe added a sense of playfulness to many collections.
3. Burgundy
If there was one color that ruled the runways from the first show of the week to the last, it was burgundy. Rich, deep, and regal, the shade proved ideal for monochromatic looks, and elsewhere paired well with periwinkle or bright red.
4. New Americana
Plenty of denim, swingy stars-and-stripes flag skirt, grommeted leather jackets, fringed shirts, and prairie dresses are inspired by a new Americana from the show this year.
5. Check Mate
Call it tartan, plaid, or check—it was everywhere this season, used on pantsuits, preppy pleated skirts, mannish coats, and even an evening gown.
6. Golden Girls
Yellow isn’t always the easiest color to wear, but for fall, designers turned to more forgiving shades of goldenrod and saffron. It looked especially appealing in eveningwear, presenting a fresh alternative to the LBD.
7. Crazy Cozy
“Self-care” may be among the most popular phrases to emerge out of the past year, and on the runway it translated into plush cocoon coats, oversized sweaters. Comfort: one trend we can always get behind.
8. Let’s Get Political
Brands that may have shied away from overt political statements in seasons past let their views known this week with slogan T-shirts, “Fashion Stands With Planned Parenthood”, “My Body, My Choice” and “Women’s Rights Are Human Rights”
9. Sheer Genius
There were sheer tops and new takes on the ever-popular red-carpet naked dress.
10. Heavy Metal
Designers offered all sorts of ways to dress like the disco ball of your dreams this season, from a slouchy sequin dress worn over a camel turtleneck to a suit covered in over one million Swarovski crystals.
11. Shearling
In a week when showgoers braved 30-degree weather in bare legs and coats shrugged off-the-shoulder, designers proposed a welcome array of actually-practical outerwear. Shearling, especially, was a popular choice.
12. Deconstruction
The twisted shirting trend that dominated last season is still going strong for fall, with cut pieces ruling the runway. Symmetry is so overrated, anyway.
