Feathers and shoulder pads, dopamine dressing, oh my! The Fall/Winter 2023 runway season has been one to remember. Fashion critics have been blown away by the creative and exquisite designs. Throughout all of the talented designers, certain trends have made their way to the front of the fashion community’s imagination. These are the trends that are going to be very big, very soon! Let’s take a look at the best of the best from Blumarine, Chanel, Alice & Olivia, Fendi, and Gucci. As Miranda Priestly taught us, it’s important to jump on the hottest trends early, before they hit the mass market. Stay ahead of the curve by dressing in these trends this winter. I’ve also included some more affordable options to shop these trends, from online and in-person retailers.
Faux Fur
The eco-friendly and environmentally conscious reigned supreme during this season. Designers took the classic fur coat and updated it for the twenty-first-century wardrobe. We saw this trend from Blumarine, who blew (hah!) us away with a dramatic red faux fur coat. Their eye-catching silhouette and bright splash of color might not make their way into your closet, but a more toned-down version might. A great place to shop for faux fur is Santinni Couture! Santinni is a London-based brand that follows in the footsteps of Blumarine this season, by taking classic Golden-Age-of-Hollywood styles and updating them for the modern woman. The coats are well-made, sustainable, and of course, faux fur.
Image Source: https://www.blumarine.com/en/corporate/blumarine/collections/collection_blumarine_22_23_fw_show.php
Emerald Green
Dopamine dressing has already been on the radar of the fashion community since the pandemic began. Designers have been embracing bright colors that can’t help but make us smile. Fashionistas everywhere are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone of neutrals and embrace the wild side, by wearing the colors that make us the happiest. One color, in particular, is green! Green and its variations have taken center stage this Fall and Winter seasons. It has been spotted in designs by Chanel and Alice & Olivia. Chanel takes this fresh new color and applies it to their classic and timeless tweeds. It is the ambitious crossover we’ve all been waiting for! If you’re hesitant to splurge on an emerald green piece from Chanel, then H&M is a great alternative. They have lots of great pieces to choose from, including sweaters and cozy outerwear to brighten your day.
Image Source: https://www.numero.com/en/fashion-week/chanel-haute-couture-fall-winter-2022-2023#slide188412
Shoulder Pads
Fashion truly is circular- the 80s are making their way back baby! The time for power dressing seems to have returned, and just in time for everyone to resume in-person work at the office. This tracks, because of the rising interest in preppy style, as well as bright colors. Gucci has been a case study for this during the Fall/Winter 2023 season. We’ve seen sky-high shoulder pads, constructed blazers, glimmering fabrics, and bold designs. A case study in this design is the punchy, bright blue trench coat that Gucci flaunted on the runway, paired with a crispy lavender button-up. The piece includes large shoulder pads that create a very boxy and masculine frame. This makes sense, Gucci is THE pioneer in maximalist and vintage trends. This collection is very promising, and I am very excited to welcome the fabulous decade back. For cheaper, 80s-inspired looks, I highly recommend Nasty Gal! Nasty Gal’s winter collection is a continuation of the bright and bold of Gucci’s collection. From glittery jumpsuits to bright fringed jackets to blazers, there truly is something for everyone.
Image Source: https://luxiders.com/gucci-autumn-winter-2022-2023-ready-to-wear/
Coquette Style
Someone call Lana Del Rey! Coquette style or Coquette-Core has blown up on Tiktok recently, and the fashion world has taken notice. We’ve seen pieces with softer, more feminine elements to contrast the masculine shoulder pads and blazers. Fendi showered us in delicate and sheer fabrics this season! But what makes something fall in the Coquette category? Any piece that flaunts daintiness, nostalgia, and youthfulness. Coquette style blends together different decades of style and fabrics to create a “soft” outfit. The closest one can get to describing this style is a hybrid of other styles and aesthetics. At its core, to dress like a Coquette is to dress romantically. Fendi’s collection makes the most of decorative handbags and pastel colors, both are elements found within the Coquette aesthetic. A great place to shop for the Coquette style is the brand For Love and Lemons. For Love and Lemons creates soft and lingerie-inspired pieces, which emulate this aesthetic. You can find playful mini-dresses, ditsy floral prints, and a whole lot of lace from this brand. You can shop For Love and Lemons from their website, second-hand clothing retailers, and also from Victoria’s Secret.
Image Source: https://luxiders.com/gucci-autumn-winter-2022-2023-ready-to-wear/
Patterned Tights
Tights and hosiery have long since been a staple of winter fashion. It’s high time we spice them up and use new patterns to give life to our otherwise dull outfits. Louis Vuitton has noticeably paired patterned tights with many of their designs on the runway during this Fall/Winter season. My favorite look from their collection is a pair of black lace tights paired with a printed mini dress. Tights are cheap and versatile enough to be styled with almost every outfit. They dare us to wear shorter hemlines during the colder seasons, and I am all for it! A great place to stock up on all different kinds of tights is Target. While they may not have the longevity or status of the brand Calzedonia, they make up for it in price and selection. Target tights come in all sizes, and there is a pattern out there for everyone. There is a dupe for the Louis Vuitton black lace tights at Target as well! I am a personal fan of their fishnets. Another great place to shop for tights is ASOS. They have an extensive online collection of tights, and their quality is very good.
