To fully savor the refined trends seen for Winter 2023/24, we should momentarily be reminded of past recent trends: from quarantine-era loungewear, the exuberant maximalism celebrating more travels and outings, the nostalgic 90s and Y2K styles making a fierce comeback, and more.
For this winter, we will see a more composed remix of our favorite recent trends that will surely stand the test of time. Be prepared to also find inspiration for any and every winter occasion: from the perfect laid-back styles for traveling for the holidays to the glitzy n’ glamorous looks for the New Year’s countdown.
At the Ballet
Inspired by the visually delicate yet fiercely moving art form, elements of ballet were seen in many winter collections. Ballet flats, leg warmers, frills, tulles and tutus, embellished leotards over tights, milky pinks, velvety blacks, and whisper whites are some examples of the many ballet-inspired elements seen throughout this season.
We saw dance-practice-ready looks with Marc Jacobs pairing leotards with sheer tights, white ankle socks, and flats; pastel pinks, bow motifs, and tulle details were seen with Giambatittsa Valli; and Miu Miu layering undergarments over opaque tights, paired with matching cardigans and dancer-off-duty zip-up hoodies.
More designers that also had ballet-inspired details and looks include: Jacquemus, Vivienne Westwood, Simone Rocha, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Leonard, and more!
Down a Notch
Pairing a laid-back hoodie with a tailored suit, sweatpants with a glossy trench coat, and refined structures with simpler silhouettes - we have been seeing less complex garments and styles overall throughout Winter Ready-To-Wear 23/24. Fashion trends are increasingly gravitating towards being more timeless. Trends are surely not becoming more “basic” but rather evolving to be more enduring and thoughtful. Looks are becoming more sustainable throughout time and radiate a quieter and more profound luxury.
Boxy structures, chunky sneakers, grungy boots, and hype beast logomania seen trending in the recent past are slowly being replaced with lavish fabrics that speak for themselves, monochromatic looks with varied rich textures, bespoken and signature accessories, and sleeker footwear (like the influencer-loved Adidas Samba sneakers and Pinterest-approved flat patent Mary-Janes).
Designers have also stepped away from excessively oversized fits to showcase more tailored silhouettes that feel a whole lot less like fast fashion and a whole lot more classic and prudent.
Think: mixing business with pleasure, channeling Sunday and Monday, and that effortless model-off-duty style. For inspiration, check out styles from designers like Akris, Miu Miu, Hermes, Giambattista Valli, Isabel Marant, Maison Kitsune, Bottega Veneta, Givenchy, Paco Rabanne, Max Mara, Vivienne Westwood, and Palm Angels among many.
All that GLITZ!
If you are looking for some holiday bling inspiration, you’re just in luck! This season we have been dazzled with metallics, sparkly motifs, dancing sequins, and glinting embroideries.
For inspiration, prepare to be beaming with joy with glittering looks from Germanier, Givenchy, Balmain, Elie Saab, Paco Rabanne, Hermes, Valentino Versace, Giambattista Valli, Isabel Marant, Dundas, Max Mara, Stella McCartney, and Dolce & Gabbana.
CEO Vibes Only!
Trends show us that Gen-Z has a
craving for uniformity and academic
style. This is probably because
workplace attire has increasingly become more casual in most industries; there is a lingering nostalgia for a style that the youth was
only exposed to by watching films and shows. Loafers, waistcoats, tailored blazers, crisp white button-ups, rich earthy tones, skinny ties, smart 3-piece suits, pinstripes,
and paisley… these are some of the business-attire
inspired elements seen throughout Winter Ready-To-Wear 2023/24.
But, what was fun to observe
was
how each designer gave their unique interpretation of this trend, hinting to
us to feel inspired to break the dress code and have fun with it. Some highlights include Marni’s Clueless-esque yellow plaid sets, Valentino’s newfound love for skinny ties paired with cool sets and neo-punk jewelry, and (my personal favorite) Schiaparelli sticking to the label’s roots and channeling the Elsa Schiaparelli’s wardrobe by including quintessential whimsical gold motifs and jewelry, wrapped headpieces, and deliciously tailored suits and sets that had every bit of elegance and signature playfulness.
More designers that implemented this classic style in their collections include: Chanel, Isidore Montag, Akris, Isabel Marant, Coperni, Sacai, Max Mara, Lanvin, Zimmermann, Stella McCartney, Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Palm Angels, DEMO, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, and more!
No Gray Areas
I am unsure whether it is right to define this as a trend since it is the most enduring color combination ever
in the fashion industry,
but wow…there were so many exquisite black-and-white
looks! Whether we saw black combined with white or all-white
and all-black
monochrome looks, there was something that was quietly spectacular about seeing incredible designs in this color palette. The attention shifted to the accessories, textures, and styling.
It is just breathtaking how something so seemingly simple as black and white
can be so impacting and powerful. You can grab multiple black-and-white
individual pieces and come up with endless outfit combinations. Choosing the right pieces can last forever and never go out of style.
Great examples of collections embracing black and white this season include
Hermes, Dundas, Stella McCartney, Sacai, Versace, Valentino, Palm Angels, Givenchy, Chloe, Balmain, Marc Jacobs, Issey Miyake, Lanvin, Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, and Max Mara to name a few.
Main Character Energy
With sleeker and more minimal garments, the focus on elevating looks shifted to relying on standout accessories and details. With the right statement brooch, signature earrings, oversized bag, leather baseball cap, wool baker boy hat, vibrant scarf, distinct shoes, and layering shiny and matte fabrics or 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional textures - you can elevate any outfit with the right embellishments that are true to you and your signature style.
In summary - exude main character energy with the right finishing touches! This season’s styles may seem simpler at a glance, but as you look closer,there is such a masterly precision and dedication to getting just the right details to make a major impact effortlessly.
For inspiration, check out these designers’ F/W Ready-To-Wear 2023/24 collections: Stella McCartney, Coperni, Versace, Chanel, Hermes, Giambattista Valli, Avellano, Dundas, Louis Vuitton, Paco Rabanne, Givenchy, Max Mara, Loewe, Lanvin, and Schiaparelli.
Homage to Vivienne Westwood
The Grand Dame of
Punk
may be gone physically, but her spirit and spunk continue
to be as vibrant as ever throughout this season’s trending styles. Vivienne Westwood’s one-of-a-kind romantically punk signature style was seen in designers like Valentino, Marc Jacobs, and more! Many fashion icons of today are also inspired by and celebrate Westwood’s style,
including Bella Hadid, FKA Twigs, Harry Styles, SZA, Saweetie, Olivia Rodrigo,
and more. Vivienne Westwood’s impact on
fashion will continuously be seen all over social media, on
red carpets, on
artist stages, and still in the hearts of designers who
are also so inspired by her.
Femme Fatale
Ultra-femininity is certainly being celebrated a lot this year, seeing the hottest of pinks, bow and floral motifs, soft curves, goddess-inspired draping, enchanting lace, touches of sheerness here and there, enthralling necklines, fiery reds, and defined hourglass silhouettes. There were also homage collections inspired by our favorite female icons (like Jaquemus’s Lady D-inspired collection), and many of the 50s and early 60s Hollywood glamour influences were also seen. I also have to mention that Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie had us suddenly see
la vie en rose everywhere, sparking a revival of Barbie archival styles and signature shades of pink.
Zimmermann, Givenchy, Balmain, Elie Saab, Giorgio Armani, Giambattista Valli, Schiaparelli, Self-Portrait, Versace, Stella McCartney, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Vivienne Westwood, Fendi, Moschino, Roberto Cavalli, and Givenchy are some of the designers that greatly embraced this trend.
