Fall’s top trends: Cozy, plaid and ’80s
Oversized silhouettes dominate the runway
The weather has finally lined up with the calendar, so it’s time to break out your favorite sweaters and dive into fall style.
At a time when major cultural and political movements like the Women’s March, #MeToo and Time’s Up are sweeping the globe and empowering women everywhere, how do trends come into play? Do trends even matter?
The answer: Trends still matter but not quite as much.
Fashion trends still emerge each season, but they don’t seem to carry the same weight. No one wants to wear a designer’s warrior princess fantasy or linebacker shoulders just because they were shown on the runway. It’s more about looking stylish and current and making it seem effortless. People want to own their look.
We sifted through the fall and winter runway collections, and these are the top trends that we feel most strongly about: oversized silhouettes, plaid — on just about everything — and touches of the 1980s.
Here are some of our favorite looks and tips on what to look for when shopping.
Get cozy
Oversized silhouettes and shapes, from large sweaters and cardigans to tops, coats and pants, were a major trend on the runways and probably the most comfortable, forgiving and cozy trend for fall and winter. These styles, think baggy and loose, provide room to breath and look cool and modern.
On a chilly day, imagine an oversized sweater or cardigan worn in place of a coat with tights and boots. Or, on a really cold day, a big, oversized coat might be roomy enough to layer a sweater and maybe even another jacket underneath as seen on the Balenciaga runway.
The key to this look is to make sure the cut is loose and flowing. Even though it may be tempting to go down a size, stay true to your actual size to get the right look. When shopping, look for sweaters with interesting knit details or attached scarfs, knits in longer lengths, loose-cut blouses, long coats and jackets, and widecut pants.
Plaid
Classic plaid never really goes away, but it’s having a major fashion moment this season. The iconic pattern, popular with punks, royals and preps, was seen all over the runways in everything from chic tartan and windowpane check coats and skirts at Michael Kors to amped-up versions in electric blue, yellow and purple at Versace.
The easiest way to get the look is to update your winter coat with a bold, plaid statement, or try a double-breasted plaid jacket instead of black. Add another layer of the pattern with plaid tights, a plaid handbag or shoes. The trend comes at all price points, but look for well-tailored high quality wool, wool blends and cashmere.
The ’80s
It may seem contradictory to the current sociopolitical climate that the sexy and glamorous ’80s are back, but they are — although not in a Krystle Carrington of “Dynasty,” or Madonna circa “Holiday” sort of way. This time around, the way to do the ’80s is to choose one or two pieces or one accent color to get the vibe. Think pops of bright color, rather than an entire outfit in a shocking bright shade.
When shopping, look for tops and jackets with an angled shoulder, leather jackets with a slouchy cut, high-waist pants, one-shoulder tops, dolman sleeves, animal prints, metallic, colorful dresses, brightly colored tops and ruched fabrics or a dash of faux or real leather