Snow storms and frigid temperatures in New York City didn’t stop the fashion industry’s biggest event from making several big splashes, as effortless sophistication became the overall theme for New York Fashion Week's Fall/Winter shows.
TOP TREND
Fur, real or faux, was everywhere on the runway. Most fur was tied into outerwear with placement on the cuffs or collar of a coat, as a scarf or an entire fur coat. While fur is very luxurious, the usage this season felt almost casual because it was paired with such basic attire. J. Mendel, most notable for fur, showed an elegant color block fur coat combining neutrals of white, brown and black.
KEY ITEMS
Oversized coats dominated both the runways and the sidewalks. Jill Stuart, Prabal Gurung and Alice + Olivia showed massive coats, as did editors and buyers attending shows in the cold. If you embrace this trend you’ll have plenty of room for layers underneath to stay cozy and comfortable.
Oversized vests had a presence, especially with a deep V neckline. It’s a simple piece that can transition an outfit from bland to bold when layered over a long sleeved dress or a chunky sweater.
Both blouses and sweaters had a mix of an oversized, billowy look and a more structured fit. There is still influence of spring’s shirting trend, with button-up shirts fastened all the way to the top button.
Pant widths hit both ends of the spectrum in a skinny, tapered cut, as well as an extremely wide, bohemian pant. The jogging pant gained popularity in leather, and as a boyfriend style knit pant.
Thankfully, you can ditch your miniskirts for fall. Hem lengths fell right at the knee, below the knee, and at mid-calf. Longer lengths are practical for colder weather and have a sense of easy elegance to them. Skirts and dresses were voluminous, giving a Parisian feel to the looks at Michael Kors, J. Crew Collection and Trina Turk.
COLOR
Common color schemes were neutrals including grey, black, white, and camel. Also shown were pastels, and pops of red, pink, teal or green.
Head-to-toe red looks were popular at Marissa Webb, Kate Spade New York and Karen Walker, which transformed the classic hue into a powerful statement.
For spring we saw a lot of black and white themes that have carried over into fall. Black and white as prints or solid pieces mixed together gave sophistication to the overall look at RAOUL.
An all white look is still very fresh, even though it carries from last season. Christian Siriano styled white looks at his show, including crisp white footwear.
Plaid was a major player at Tommy Hilfiger and Delpozo, shown in a variety of bright colors. The plaid pieces included coats, dresses, sweaters and skirts.
HOW TO PUT IT ALL TOGETHER
Stay warm while looking chic with the season’s emphasis on layers. Turtlenecks were layered under dresses, sweaters and even underneath button-up tops. Lightweight skirts and dresses were layered over pants at Kenneth Cole that looked effortlessly stylish.
If you’re feeling frumpy in an oversized coat, throw on a belt over it to define your waist. To put the finishing touches on any outfit, add a thick, textured scarf, wrapped closely to the neck. For the feet, the high-heeled sandal with an ankle strap and one strap across the toes is having a huge moment.
YOUR STYLE CHEAT SHEET FOR FALL/WINTER 2014
Pick up these pieces and you'll be all set ... for next winter.
- Fur coat or scarf
- Oversized wool coat
- Neutral color turtleneck
- Button-up shirt
- Loose sweater
- Jogging pant
- Long skirt
- Thick scarf
- High-heeled sandal
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