Winter Fashion Trends for Women 2015-2016

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends

There were so many fashion trends spotted on the fall 2015 fashion week runways that our heads cannot stop spinning from it all. It was mayhem in a way, with each designer opting to utilize another trend entirely. We were treated to so much that we are sure that almost anything we wear now goes. And then we realize that just is not the case. While we may love the fashion shows we get to watch for about a month and a half, between New York Fashion Week and the one in London, and then comes Milan and finally we are given a taste of the Parisian brands on the catwalk, we also know that it can get frustrating trying to keep up with all the different looks that we can try on. While some are ludicrous for everyday wear, such as the bare chests or their barely covered up alternatives, others are beyond amazing, such as the velvet materials and the slits going right up the thighs. Yet when it comes to finding a single source that lists all the different looks in one place, we are at a loss. Which is where we come in; this article presents to you all the different fall/ winter 2015-2016 fashion trends spotted on the Fashion Weekrunways, between all four cities visited of late.

 

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends

 


Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #1: 1970s Are Big Again

After the craze of the summer ‘70s fashion, fall 2015 also brings big proportions of the retro and Bohemian feel of this particular fashion era, letting us enjoy our suedes and flared designs for yet another season. While Diane von Furstenberg, BCBG Max Azria and Karen Walker praised the trend on the runways in New York City, Milan brought Seventies chic through the collections of Roberto Cavalli, Stella Jean, Bottega Veneta, Philosophy and others. We love the pretty Bohemian style of Chloe showcased at Paris Fashion Week, while Burberry Prorsum brought the Seventies trend to London through the abundance of fringes, flirty patterns and suede. There is a certain sense of nostalgia to be found and we are enjoying the scent of it profusely.

The ‘70s gave us David Bowie and lava lamps and a whole lot of other incredible things. As such, we knew we were going to fall in love all over again when we watched the Balmain show and those billowing striped pants come into view, the velvet cuffed overalls of Chloe searing our hearts and the crazy colors of the Elie Saab lightweight dresses simply blowing us away. And then there was the suede used by Jill Stuart alongside the high waists on Zimmermann and the earthy tones of Karen Walker.

 

The ‘70s references also include the turtlenecks that appear almost everywhere, from Mara Hoffman to Creatures of the Wind, and the fur statements that appeared so often, on Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera, Prabal Gurung and so many others. The 1970s groovy prints also made it into the collections themselves, suing psychedelic waves and optical stripes to really push the taste limits on stage. Giambattista Valli seemed to really love the 1970s silhouettes, making a point to include flared pants and covered up necklines.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: 1970s Fashion

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #2: ‘70s Chic Style Warps into ‘80s

The year 2015 has taken so much of its inspirations from the 1970s decade that we cannot even begin to review it all. What we can say is that between the leather and the suede, the bohemian look and everything in between, we have fallen in love with that time period so many of us have never seen but only heard about all over again. While most of the looks were very much steeped in the late 1960s and all of the 1970s, there were some trends that came in from the 1980s, which included the puffy sleeves.

JW Anderson certainly wiped the slate clean of the ‘70s and brought in the ‘80s with gusto, including the power shoulders, the lurex, the boots and all. Saint Laurent gave us the Cyndi Lauper “Girls Wanna Have Fun” look with tulle prom dresses and asymmetric necklines and the Loewe collection just continued it all. Miu Miu’s frilled sailor bib and large buttons were so in and the mixture was just perfect.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: 1980s Fashion

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #3: ‘60s Hippie and Mod Fashion

The beauty of the hippie era was also in their fashion, and it appears that they now wear Prada! The hippie look is not only hot, but it is haute, with BCBG, Lanvin, Temperley London, Dolce & GabbanaValentino, and so many others lining up their ‘60s decade inspired pieces on the different Fashion Week runways and ensuring we feel a good dose of nostalgia again and again and again. Chloe combined menswear with dreamy hippie fashion during its show as Clare Waight Keller introduced the cape onto the autumn runway, while Karl Lagerfeld’s sixties mod fashions for Fendi are simply to die for!

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: 1960s Fashion

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #4: Puffy Sleeves

We often think of clowns when we think puffy sleeves, or childhood clothing. We may even think of olden gowns, but those sleeves are rarely long. However, this fall and winter season, puffy sleeves make for a huge comeback and the 1980s were brought into the 21st century. Considering the fact that stronger looking shoulders create a smaller waist illusion, Balenciaga and Alexander Wang were two of the many who took on the challenge and created cocoon coats and dresses; Miu Miu’s vintage collection seemed not to be afraid of any color or shape, with multiple layers worn, some featuring this particular trend.

Black and lace were combined to create the Victorian style Givenchy collection, while Giambattista Valli really amped up the volume. Louis Vuitton offered a lacy version to the embroidered semi crop top with the puffed sleeves, while Aganovich brings the olden days back with a flash.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Puffy Sleeves

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #5: Peekaboo Lace

It is probably one of the prettiest fall 2015 fashion trends to appear on the runways, but we certainly cannot get enough of the peek-a-boo lace trend, with the skin and silhouette showing through, often a little too much, but sometimes acting more demure like in the Bibhu Mohapatra collection. The lace look appears all over the place really but how can one not fall in love with the way it hugs the body on the tight Rodarte pants with the high waists and the blouses that look positively divine? Altuzarra makes the lazy look incredible, while Vivienne Tam adds lace to her collars.

Mind you, Louisa Beccaria gives translucent lacy materials a whole new meaning, while Elie Saab is possibly the best designer we have come across in a very long time. Nina Ricci shows off nipples but we cannot hate the looks, while the Alexander McQueen house offers more than just a simple dress, turning the creations into literal works of lacy art. There is Maison Margiela to contend with, as well as Chloe, Yohji Yamamoto, Alessandra Rich, and Valentino with the colorful rendition of a maxi hemmed lace dress.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Lace

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #6: Fur Stoles

Fur stoles may not have been an expected trend but they definitely did appear on the runway shows all around, knowing full well that the winter seasons are frosty and we regular people need as much help in the warmth department as possible. The stoles were draped to one side on nearly all the models sporting them, Jason Wu’s designs reminding us of wolf goddesses, while the Michael Kors fur stoles looking so very chic with the matching knit sweater and skirt set and the all-around brown hued palette. The 3.1 Philip Lim collection also featured lovely caramel colored stoles, while Thakoon went thicker and threw in some darker reds. The Ohne Titel tiger striped teal and black stole is simply gorgeous, while we see the fur appear in so many other places.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Fur Stoles

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #7: Flair Trousers

Considering the fact that the 1970s time period is the major influence of the whole of the 2015 fashions, it is safe to say that most of the designers have utilized flared trousers in their collections, one way or another. Hellessey, Yohji Yamamato, Stella McCartney, Maison Martin Margiela, Ralph Lauren, Vivienne Westwood and Emanuel Ungaro are only a few of the many who decided to present the flared fashions in perfect tailoring as well. And why not? Just because you are looking like you are ready to take on the professional world doesn’t mean you should not be following all the right trends.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Flare Pants

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #8: Lovely Leather

How one can ignore the leather trend, we do not know. It is literally everywhere, in nearly every collection, on nearly every model sometimes. It appears from head to toe, in the shape of purses and shoes, but mostly on skirts and jackets. Leather leggings and leather ankle crop pants made it onto the runway as well. There was so much leather all around that we could not get away from it even if we tried. Altazurra’s leather miniskirts and Louis Vuitton’s leather pants immediately come to mind, while Saint Laurent’s leather skinnies look positively amazing with their high waists.

Lovely colors such as aqua and beige are splashed onto the leather used on the Vionnet runway, while Marc Jacobs goes crazy with texture and pleats when incorporating the material into its show. Belstaff, Alexander Wang, Yigal Azrouel, Fendi, Alexander McQueen, Elie Saab, Ralph Lauren and Narciso Rodriguez are but a few more of the designers that opted to really work in the leather.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Leather

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #9: Sweet Suede

Suede is another material that reminds us of the 1970s, making us utterly nostalgic and appearing all over the place since the spring and summer collections. It appears on garments and on boots, the latter shown quite nicely in the Burberry Prorsum collection. In general, while suede was in for dresses and jackets and everything else during the spring/summer season, it was one of the top material picks for boots come the fall and winter seasons.

However, we did find the gorgeous material on the Jason Wu runway, as well as within the Tibi, Derek Lam, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford, Gucci, Alberta Ferretti, Max Mara, Ermanno Scervino, Trussardi, Roland Mouret, Loewe, Chloe, Saint Laurent, Miu Miu and Chanel collections. Between the classic trenches belted up and the knee-high boots, it was all soft and ‘70s worthy with the suede, particularly when Cara Delevingne epitomized the glamour of the era with her patchwork tan suede jacket. Smudgy chalk tones, pinks, lavender and cornflower blue are the colors of choice for the suede materials these coming seasons.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Suede

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #10: Victorian and Edwardian Fashions

While the Victorian fashion touches were a whole lot more prominent in the spring/summer shows, the Edwardian era designs were in this time around, with their lacy accents, high collars and cinched waists. The dominant styles of the Belle Epoque era came to be very much adored for the coming seasons, from Monique Lhuillier’s lacy numbers with the midi hems, midnight floral designs and high necks, to the Reem Acra flouncy miniskirts and cinched waist doublets, and the Cynthia Rowley lace numbers with the ‘70s style flares pants and high turtlenecks.

And then there was a pretty good feel of the Victorian looks as well, from the collars tied with bows to frilly touched blouses. There was a bite of romance in the air, off-skew bows making their way into many a collection. While they showed up on New York and London Fashion Weeks as well, it was the Italian designers such as Alberta Ferretti, Emilio Pucci, Bottega Veneta and Philosophy di Lorenzothat really embraced this look fully.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Victorian and Edwardian Fashion

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #11: Oversized and Masculine Tailoring

Many of the designers throughout the Fashion Weeks kept including the more masculine oversized pieces, from sweaters to jackets, dresses and capes. Large, rounded shoulders presented on the Balenciaga coats and shortened jackets by Alexander Wang were homage to the founder’s original looks, while these looks appeared in softer silhouetted on the Proenza Schouler and Gucci catwalks, as well as Givenchy, Carven, Alexander Wang’s eponymous label and Kenzo, among others. The tomboyish look was available on the Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, and Comme des Garcons shows as well, even if it was not particularly oversized every time. The masculine met the feminine for these seasons and we loved the comfort fit of it all.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Masculine Fashion

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Oversized Fashion

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #12: Reefer Jackets

The reefer jacket look seen on the runways was definitely lovely and quite a common appearance. Based on the United States Navy fashions with the double breasted blue coat, the reefer jacket echoes the seafaring military trend quite nicely as it makes its way from New York runway shows up until Paris Fashion Week. At Chloe, it was worn long, falling to the floor, past even the ankles. Nina Ricci, on the other hand, showed it off paired with a sheer lace skirt, while at Michael Kors it fell to the knees and was thrown Italian style over the shoulders.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Reefer Jackets

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #13: Crafty Culottes

These are guilt-free pants that may not seem like the most beautiful fashionable attire, but they certainly won’t be squeezing the life out of us either, or showing off every bit of bulge and imperfection. Plus, they do not look half as bad when paired with all the right elements. For example, the khaki green color of the Charlotte Ronson piece, pared with the see-through button down shirt and the velvet boots is actually quite lovely, while the bright banana yellow look of the Victoria Beckham pair with a large black Victorian style sweater tucked into it and high gloss black boots underneath is more than just a little appealing. While the Alexander Wang looks were rather frightening, the ruffled edges of the Clover Canyon brand’s culottes make us smile lovingly.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Culottes

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #14: Fringes Are In

The fringe trend is quite lovely really. It is an ode to the ‘70s while still managing to stay with the times perfectly. They add a flounce to each step or really jazz up a jacket, top or dress. We have always loved to go retro and seeing the top designers of our days utilize the Western inspired trend makes us oh so happy. Altuzarra’s wild chic designs, Proenza Schouler’s wacky fish themed pieces sporting fringes on the dress as well as the shoes, Sally LaPointe’s fringed skirts, and Edun’s half body fringes are all examples of this lovely trend that has made a major comeback.

It was spotted on the Zero + Maria Cornejo runway, as well as Marchesa, Burberry Prorsum and Adeam. We have seen fringes so many times at this point, we are almost getting sick of it, but we have to say that the Nina Ricci fringed coats really do look quite amazing, while the Sacai use of fringe is almost frightening. Balmain, on the other hand, makes it all look just perfect!

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Fringes

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #15: Colored Fur and Chic Mongolian Fur

Fur was majorly in as we saw on the runway shows, becoming one of the most prevalent trends on New York Fashion Week. And then we realized that not all of it was real. It certainly isn’t every day that fake fur that appears in different colors is considered a stylish piece, but this fall and winter season, it is so very much in, meaning that no animals are killed in the meantime, while you look positively fabulous; literally hot off the runway. The Michael Kors gorgeous teal furs are simply to die for, especially when paired with a matching dress and pretty Mary Jane shoes. You can go all rainbow colors and candy shop on us too, actually, and opt for a Mara Hoffman coat instead, while GEORGINE couldn’t be looking any foxier in those outerwear pieces sported.

Zac Posen, on the other hand, opts to make the colorful fur part of his skirt suits and does such an incredibly job with it indeed. The colored fur on the Emilio Pucci runway was quite intriguing with all the swirls and the colors, while the artistry of it on the Salvatore Ferragamo collection was breathtaking. On the other hand, designer like Sacai made it appear as if the colored full outerwear were but the fuzzy bodies of robots come to invade earth. Those Yeti coats from Angelo Marani, MSGM, and Philip Plein were simply to die for. Fur was even used for dresses, like those strapless options we saw at Christian Dior.

Mongolian fur is the next trendy fur option making an appearance quite frequently in the fall 2015 fashion lines. From Matthew Williamson, Holly Fulton and Sass & Bide to MSGM, House of Holland and Anna Sui, many fashion houses used this lighter and fluffier option of fur in their fall designs.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Fur

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Colorful Fur

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Mongolian Fur

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #16: Bold Colors

Bold colors are a huge trend on the runway, often appearing in a few specific pieces within a rather dark collection while other times taking the whole line-up over. Considering the fact that we are all prone to developing Seasonal Affective Disorder, these gorgeous pieces help dispel the doom and gloom that is always accompanying the winter months. From DKNY’s springy look to Diane von Furstenberg’s electric blue pantsuit combination, Prabal Gurung’s bright oranges, or the sunshine yellow seen on the Rag & Bone runway and Versace’s hot rainbow colors, we know that no collection is complete without at least one popping piece of attire.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Bold Colors

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #17: Asymmetrical Hemlines

While we have always considered symmetrical thing to be beautiful, we find great beauty in the perfect asymmetry of so many of the pieces featured on the different fashion shows for the fall and winter. What many fail to realize is that even in the asymmetry there is symmetry, as any form of geometric line, whether it be vertical, horizontal or diagonal, is still a line. The eyes will always find the diagonal fall of the skirt hems beautiful because there is symmetry in their asymmetry. Then again, they can fall in multiple layers like some within the DKNY show, which automatically reduces the appeal as much.

Brandon Sun’s use of symmetric asymmetry is also perfect for it creates little upside down V shaped slits up the thighs that make it like two different trends in one piece. Perhaps one of the best asymmetrical looks that has little symmetry to it is in the dresses created by Narciso Rodriguez, while New York Fashion Week was dazzled by their use by Reem Acra, Victoria Beckham, Monique Lhuillier, and Marchesa. Some of these looks even included a whole lot of fringe.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Asymmetrical Hemlines

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #18: Tantalizing Turtlenecks

Many colors and many types of materials but all have the same results: turtlenecks. If we are going to have plunging necklines as one of the biggest trends of the year, we certainly need to have the exact opposite for winter, since no type of top covers up more than a turtleneck. The Tanya Taylor turtlenecks are positively gorgeous, while the Tome oversized sweaters feature a more relaxed version of the classic trend. Thakoon adds stripes and a full cuff, making the turtleneck stiff against the skin, while Sonia Rykiel offers pieces that look best tucked into high waist plaid pants and with colorful furry vest on top. Fluffy turtlenecks were also spotted at the Roberto Cavalli show.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Turtlenecks

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #19: Gothic Glam

The Goth girls gone wild look is especially alluring, with its black coloring really adding a slimming factor and the way the biggest designers do it making it all less trashy and so much more sophisticated. As always, Calvin Klein knows how to wow us with the house’s latest creations, black from head to toe with a play on materials and textures, appeared soft and hard at the same time; this method is emulated by Rag & Bone but does not have nearly the same alluring result.

The Cushnie et Ochs looks are a lot more bondage style, though we cannot help but admire the way the cut-outs enhance the figure and the look of the legs peeking through extremely high slits on the thigh. Crop tops and low waist pants, a shiny leather jacket thrown on top, make for a sportier Goth look by Vera Wang, one where the girls really have gone wild. Casual flings and a whole lot of violence can be expected from this look. The Rodebjer ideal of the gothic edge included leather, circle cut-outs and furry vests, while Marc Jacobs’ vision was utterly feminine and sophisticated.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Gothic Glam

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #20: Fluttering Feathers

If you are every feeling blue, it appears that gorgeous feathers, particularly in ostrich, come in handy to brighten up the mood. From lightly dusted feathers along the hems of the tunic and the skirt of a Michael Kors set to the full feathered Alice + Olivia dress skirts that were spotted on the runway, the feathered zip-up sweater dresses over incredibly beautiful rose printed tights by Naeem Khan to the pretty sprigs of feathers all about the midnight floral patterned Erdem dresses, the look was fantastic! Fluttering feathers were featured on Balenciaga sweaters, while they created such an incredible silhouette on the Roberto Cavalli runway with the wraparound coatdresses.

Artists gone wild showed up on the Rodarte catwalk, wherein feathers were rocked by ladies in tiny little bedraggled dresses that covered barely an inch of their bodies. The MSGM sleeves are all feathered up, while we spotted feathers all over the place on London Fashion Week, becoming one of the most sophisticated trends created. We were especially dazzled by their use on the Topshop and Osman numbers, having the feathers used on sheer fabrics or bold statements. Ostrich feathers looked absolutely gorgeous on those mini skirts by Just Cavalli.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Feathers

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #21: All Over Slits

The slits come and go often as a fashion trend, sometimes to the side, sometimes on the thigh, sometimes in the middle, either front or back. There is something extremely sexy about slits in generally and the thigh high versions that range from mid-thigh up to the very top of it have been seen on the fall/winter runways. We fell in love with the high slit with thigh high boot combinations seen on the Altuzarra, while Cushnie et Ochs brigs the A-game to the runway and really wows us with models that are singularly muscularly sporting slits that don’t end until the thighs do.

While the trend is generally for a single slit up the thigh, we have spotted some pieces where there are two, including a midi hemmed shirtdress by Public School. The slits come up the center as well, like in the ‘70s style J. Mendel dresses or coupled with fur stoles as in the Jason Wu designs. Center slits appear on the Prabal Gurung show. Givenchy adds width to the look by adding large ruffling hems.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Slits

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #22: Plunging Necklines

The necklines are constantly changing and this year we’ve seen a whole lot of plunging V-necks. They have appeared everywhere, from blouses to dresses, and sometimes even as simply blazers with nothing underneath. The chest is both fully open or fully closed up this year and the plunging neckline is one of the most intriguing of trends. It has appeared on nearly every single runway show, from Altuzarra to Rebecca Minkoff, Genny and Missoni, Emilio Pucci and Temperley London, this was definitely one of the biggest trends to hit the runway.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Plunging Necklines

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #23: Midi Hems

It is a huge trend on the runway all throughout 2015 and appears quite heavily on the fall/winter runways, from New York to Paris. It includes shirtdresses by Public School and leather skirts by Altuzarra, longer midi dresses by Monique Lhuillier and the lacy pieces by Sharon Wauchob, it becomes hard to count out every single designer offering this trend in their mix because there are so many. The midi hems, either falling just above, at or just below the knees, sometimes stretching down to mid-calf, exist in nearly every single collection, stretching from New York Fashion Week and coming over to Europe, appearing in Milan, London and Paris as well.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Midi Hems

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #24: Fun with Tights

Once you begin to sift through all the different looks that appeared on the runway, you realize that many of the models are wearing tights. Be it the Proenza Schouler fishnets or the Naeem Khan floral designed, the simple black and thick tights on the Tanya Taylor collection or the sheer versions on the GEORGINE runway, tights are really cool and perfect for keeping your legs warm when exposing them this fall and winter. Many opted for the thick version of the black tights, including Zimmermann. Others went for a bit more fun, including the stripy colorful Tommy Hilfiger versions and the lacy gorgeous Rodarte tights. These were definitely not your average tights.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Tights

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #25: Bringing Back Suspenders

Suspenders are not a trend that was expected on the runways either, but their appearance is certainly not disappointing. They are not always on trousers either, appearing also in the Ralph Lauren collection on a sheath maxi skirt. They may not be as common as many of the other trends, but sifting through all the designer shows, you find yourself face to face with quite a few gems that appear here and there.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Suspenders

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #26: Falling for Transparency

It was a trend that made it big time in the spring/ summer 2015 trends report, but it never faded away. The more ludicrous it is to think of wearing these pieces as they are presented on the runway, without bras and the whole of the chest peeking through, the more they seem to appear all around us on the fashion stage. They are weightless and quite delicate, beautiful really for the most part. However, they don’t always have embroidery or any form of fabric covering up the nipples, which makes it quite unrealistic to wear on the streets.

Wearing them at a party even might be way to suggestive, inviting all forms of sexual harassment and abuse. Yet, one of the absolute biggest trends on the runway for the fall and winter season of 2015-2016 is the whole idea of the see-through blouses and sometimes even the fully bare chests. Those nipples have shown up on so many of the catwalk sessions at this point that it is hard to keep count. From Acne Studios to Ter et Bantine, Alexander Wang to Vera Wang, Rodarte to Ryan Lo, Alexander McQueen to Nina Ricci, Gucci and Valentino, this look exists on nearly literally every runway show.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Transparency

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #27: Capes and Ponchos

Superheroes have capes. The fashionistas of today rock both the capes and the ponchos and go out to save the fashion illiterate population from themselves. The star-studded constellation printed cape on the Emilio Pucci show was beyond beautiful, falling to the ankles over a gorgeous slip dress. The Chloe cape coats were actually quite divine unto themselves, while the Bottega Veneta versions looked as if one was a white batman in the shadows. The ruffled Simon Rocha wraparound piece was quite interesting, while the Lanvin pieces reminded us of highwaymen of old, while still holding inspirations from the urban nomad look and Moroccan inspired prints. Chanel went for the “new Bourgeoisie” look and Karl Lagerfeld knew that the cape would be a perfect match.

All the while Sonia Rykiel brought out our amazement at her seamless incorporation of capes into her collection full of jumpsuits, velvets and keyhole slits. Perhaps one of the most beautiful appearances of the caped design is by Delpozo, appearing in red, with a translucent pink turtleneck top underneath, the hem of the skirt falling to a mini level and the shoes matching the look perfectly. On the other hand, Tommy Hilfiger offers a rather fun way to be wearing this style of coat, just like Versace does.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Capes and Ponchos

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #28: Over the Top 3D Embellishments

We had the plain pieces and the gothic styles, the simple shifts and the sporty designs; what we also saw a whole lot of on the runway shows throughout the last few weeks were the over the top 3D embellishments, the sparkling sequins and all over paillettes. From Altuzarra to Monique Luillier, Delpozo, Mary Katrantzou and Zuhair Murad, the pieces look incredible with all the sparkling effects they hold. The message in some of the shows was simply to really make it all shine, as we saw on the Alexander Wang, Rodarte, and Rag & Bone shows. The glitters really pull in the ‘90s theme though, as there was a plethora of sparkles hitting the runway, from the shimmering Marc Jacobs dresses to the Ralph Lauren and Proenza Schouler, all of which really wanted to be shows some love and taken out on a spin around town.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: 3D Embellishments

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #29: Oversized Belts

We fell in love with oversized belts years ago and seeing them back on the latest trends list excites us to no end. They are worn on everything from jumpsuits to vests, dresses and coats. They were a huge trend on the Milan runways especially, balancing it with the loose garments by cinching in the waists, particularly those on the models representing Marni, Versace, Salvatore Ferragamo, Balmain and Roberto Cavalli. Oversized everything is in style at the moment, which means that adding an oversized belt can only make the outfit look more appealing to the eyes.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Oversized Belts

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #30: Suave Suits

While we were quite sizzled by all the dresses seen on the runways, it was even more captivating when we noticed all the new professional wear that was presented, both in the form of pant and skirt suits. Now, we have a whole slew of looks to choose from, as well as huge Italian names, including Prada, Jil Sander, Missoni, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, and Fay. While some of the designers preferred to gender bend, another huge trend for the season, others opted for the more feminine interpretations, while some of the suits even appeared with culottes.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Suits

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #31: Soft and Luxe Velvets

Possibly one of the most luxurious materials to be used on the runways was velvet, that soft and luxurious feel that is also reminiscent of the ‘70s and particularly the ‘80s. It is a huge trend in London already and it was very much visible on Milan runway shows, lending fluidity to so many of the incredibly gorgeous looks. There is great potential to be found in velvets, and we have seen the perfection of the designs in the Emilio Pucci constellations, alongside Antonio Marras, Luisa Beccaria and Costume National. The fabric was featured in the London Fashion Week’s Topshop Unique, Christopher Kane, Mary Katrantzou, and House of Holland collections, while we decided that even if we don’t go full velvet, we are certainly in for adding velvet trimmings to our garments.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Velvet

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #32: Floor Length Skirts

We had mini and midi skirts appear on the runway, as well as a few micros here and there, but one of the loveliest looks was the use of floor length skirts and dresses throughout the fashion weeks. There were metallic skirts that popped up in these lengths, alongside gorgeous prints, pretty plaids and solid colors, with the long skirts being a major part of so many of the collections, including for Roberto Cavalli, Marc Jacobs, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Fausto Puglisi, Leitmotiv and Blugirl.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Maxi Skirts

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #33: Patchwork

There are so many textures that appeared on the runways that it may get hard to make up your mind on which you prefer most. That is where the patchwork designs come in, utilizing either single materials or multiple styles in order to create some rather intriguing looks. Some decided to color block with similar textures, while others certainly were a lot more daring. It was hard not to fall in love with the colorful patchwork fur coats and those slip dresses, Etro’s incredible earth hued designs and the pieces by Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Fendi.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Patchwork

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #34: Luxurious Brocade

The revival of brocade fabrics on the fashion scene was more than expected. Yet designers such as Erdem, Mary Katrantzou, and Simone Rocha really brought the classic looks to light, presenting them in dramatic old world meets modernity designs and dramatic shapes that looked all the better with the exciting cut-outs, all the while still looking as luxurious as we remember it to be. It may have been the tapestries lining the walls of London museums, but the brocade look really took off, bringing the old school to the new fashion world.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Brocade

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #35: Layered Crop Tops

Since it will be way too chilly to keep the midriff bared, designers decided to layer the crop tops over shirts, tunics and dresses, transitioning the spring and summer look seamlessly into fall and making them one of the coolest trends on New York Fashion Week. Between Thakoon, Roland Mouret, Rosie Assoulin and Katie Ermilio, there was a whole lot of sophistication to be found in this trend.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Layered Crop Tops

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #36: Big Buttons

This may not have been as big as we expected after viewing New York Fashion Week fall 2015 trends, but big buttons did have their place on the runways all over the world at this point. They came back in with a vengeance and between Derek Lam, Victoria Beckham, Tory Burch, Suno and Calvin Klein, the experimentation looked to be going rather well as the pieces appeared on coats, skirts, and jumpers. It was all so retro and we loved seeing every second of it! Miu Miu’s Sailor bib was certainly entertaining, while we see them squinting at us from the Genny capes.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Big Buttons

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #37: Keeping with the Keyhole Slits

Where some of the dresses did not have plunging V-necklines, turtlenecks or just plain high round necks, they were given some of the loveliest trending slits on the runway, appearing as keyholes small and large in the center of the chest. Their appearance on the Sonia Rykiel collection was breathtaking, while those slits turned to huge holes on the Calvin Klein runway show.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Keyhole Slits

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #38: Skinny High Waist Pants

High waist pants have been making their comeback all year now and they seem to be here to stay a whole if Paris Fashion Week has anything to say about it. The skinny and slim-fits may not be as big, but we are still in love with the cigarette coups and many women are still rocking the leggings. It was a smart move to have the high waist skinny pants trending this time around, from Carven’s pastel versions to the rocker chic of Saint Laurent’s leather skinnies. Isabel Marant gave us a taste of slim fits worn with boots and comfortable knits, while Louis Vuitton went all artistic on us and presented thin silhouettes with a very posh appeal.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Skinny High Waist Pants

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #39: Tweed Takes Over

We are used to seeing tweed on the Chanel fashion shows. It is a material that is so perfectly suited to the fashion house that Coco Chanel would come back to haunt the creative director who decided to recreate the brand’s image. It was really nice to see the tweed appear elsewhere as well though, including on the Haider Ackermann runway, or within the Simone Rocha, Sacai, Max Mara, Dior, Erdem, Prada and Margaret Howell collections. It certainly seemed to have become one of the autumn/ winter 2015 fabrics of choice. We saw the look appear on the Caroline Herrera show, as well as Lanvin, Rag & Bone, Emanuel Ungaro, and Dolce & Gabbana.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Tweed

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #40: A Whole Lot of Quilting

We expected it from Chanel. It is one of those designs that screams the brand’s name. However, quilting became a big thing this coming season as Fendi, Alexander Wang, Moschino, Hermes, Burberry and H&M all went for the soft touch this season. Burberry decided to be crafty with it, Chanel punctuated the look with jewels; Fendi just made all-enveloping duvet style coats out of it and sent the models out looking all warm and comfy. It almost feels like the designers were inspired by their pure laziness and lack of energy to get out of bed and into the freezing weathers. Duvets are just fine for now, thank you very much!

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Quilting and Duvets

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #41: 1920s Boogie

We saw both the 1920s slightly represented on the runways as well as the whole boogie scene, beginning from the early 1900s and continuing well into the 1980s and ‘90s. From flared bottoms to distinct color combinations and cinched waists, we saw a whole lot of the boogie world throughout the last few weeks. Designers who really got into the groove included Jonathan Saunders with his awesome colors and accessories, Balmain with the colors, the flair and the pleats, A.L.C. with those awesome pants, Calvin Klein’s keyholes and fringe; Marchesa had its own awesome pieces to offer fitting the boogie days theme, while the pink, purple and orange of Ohne Titel could not have encompassed the music mindset any better. Gucci, Acne Studios, Temperley London and Nina Ricci all fall into the boogie worthy fashion category.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: 1920s Boogie Fashion

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #42: Perfect Pleats

Pleats are in big time once again and there is no way to escape their accordion beauty, the way it falls around the legs and wraps around the limbs. Even many of the trousers have pleats all around, though it is the skirts and dresses that grab our attention most. For example, the Rebecca Tailor pleated skirt in silver is gorgeous, falling to the floor beautifully, while Marc Jacobs loves the full skirt with the pleated leather, reflecting the light and textured painstakingly. Pleats also looked amazing in the new Gucci fashion line.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Pleats

 

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #43: Traditional Style Festive Folk

We also noticed that many of the designers brought traditional styles of dress to the runway as well, taken from an array of cultures, with playful prints, rich embroideries and nostalgic knits all over. That includes some of the Burberry Prorsum dresses that fell to the ankles and looked awesome with the fringed bags, the Vanessa Bruno minis and Lanvin layers with the Moroccan theme; there were gorgeous pieces by the I’m Isola Marras brand, as well as from Dries Van Noten, while Clover Canyon gave us midi dresses over flared pants and Honor supplied us with colorful tights, billowing sleeves and cut-outs at the shoulders.

We loved the Nadaam looks until we got down to the shoes, while Peter Pilotto’s dresses certainly looked quite festive. Prabal Gurung found Mongolian designs to be fascinating while the Preen by Thornton Bregazzi brand combined crop tops with lace-up skirts. We also saw such pieces on the Ralph Lauren, Rosetta Getty, Suno, Thakoon, Tory Burch, Dsquared2, Alberta Ferretti and Chloe shows this season.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Traditional Folk Style

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #44: Rippling Ruffles

We go back in time quite a bit throughout the whole of the 2015 seasons, but the fall and winter runways are full of pieces that really would look amazing as timepiece costumes. From Isabel Marant’s mini dress to Lanvin’s translucent materials, the 1980s teacher style pieces by Antonio Marras to the floor length skirts featured on the Organic by John Patrick show, we see ruffles everywhere. Ruffled culottes mark the Clover Canyon collection, while Erdem shows off translucent materials with ruffles around the edges and shoulders and neck. There are ruffles everywhere on the Christopher Kane show, from the garments to the shoes and the handbags.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Ruffles

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #45: Playing with Pockets

The pocket sizes have increased throughout the fall/winter collections presented, with houses like Marni, Marco de Vincenzo, Just Cavalli and Fendi really incorporating the looks into their creative line-ups. It was a huge thing on the Milan Fashion Week really, the statements made nicely while still being incredibly practical. Dresses were introduced in other placed with pockets as well, while the oversized versions that were clearly seen on the bodies of the models were reminiscent of those found on safari jackets.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Catchy Pockets

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #46: Skirts and Dresses over Pants

This was a look that appeared many a time and we can see why. We all want to be wearing dresses in the winter months, but when the temperature begins to hit sub-zeroes, we really need to rethink our apparel decisions. Fashion houses such as Givenchy, Chanel and Dries Van Noten have devised a solution for this problem, adding another layer to the ensemble and throwing dresses over pants in both contrasting and monochromatic hues and fabrics for some incredible results. You can tap into both the androgynous and feminine sides of your personality in a single outfit in this case.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Skirts and Dresses Over Pants

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #47: Futuristic Looks

We know that many of the fall/ winter 2015-2016 fashion trends are an ode to the past decades, but we have to point out that the future is quite bright as well and so many designers opted to turn their heads that way. It was kind of like watching The Jetsons after The Flinstones on Cartoon Network! The younger designers were mostly the ones with their eyes peeled forward, using innovative fabrics like neoprene and colors such as silver metallic in order to make their point. Sleek and modern silhouettes were adopted by Peter Pilotto, Jonathan Saunders and Mary Katrantzou, while they used hyper-color hues that all had a rather science fiction style feel to them.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Futuristic Fashion

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #48: Bring on the Nerds!

While nerds are normally seen as individuals who are way too smart for the rest of us and therefore must be outcasts from our groups, though nerdy portrayal on television shows of late has but nothing but positive, the fashion world has embraced their geeky looks with open arms it appears, making the four eyed babes look even chicer than we knew them to be. From Gucci to Prada, tinted lenses and retro furs to the sexy librarian look of Max Mara, we know that boys will be clamouring around these gorgeous, stylish and utterly breathtaking women.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Nerds Style

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #49: Wrapped Silhouettes

Perhaps one of our favourite looks to hit the fall and winter runway shows of 2015 is the wrap-around silhouettes, wherein the coatdresses or simple dresses are wrapped up nicely, ensuring warmth while also making it quite easy to unwrap once again. It is surely a tantalizing thought that classically minimalist collections such as Sportmax, Jil Sander, Diane von Furstenberg and Tod’s really capitalized on. Outwear was the most prevalent in utilizing this trend, while it did appear elsewhere as well.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Wrapped Silhouettes

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trend #50: Fur Sleeves

From fur dresses and chic fur coats to fur trimmings on various design pieces, fur is definitely one of the biggest fall/ winter 2015-2016 fashion trends. Still, the most creative and unconventional use of this luxurious material is that for fur sleeves of outerwear options and even dresses, just like we saw it in the fall lines of Marni, Laura Biagiotti, BCBG Max Azria, Gucci and others.

Fall/ Winter 2015-2016 Fashion Trends: Fur Sleeves

From those amazing fall 2015 trendy colors to the pretty print trends for the season, as well as the styles and shapes of the clothing pieces showcased, we love the new fall/ winter 2015-2016 fashion trends to bits and can’t wait for the colder months to arrive to experiment with our favorite looks!

Photos courtesy of Style.com