It’s time to take a deep breath, brew some coffee and curl up on the sofa because the ultimate fall/winter 2022-2023 fashion trend report is here! From the top trends that will take over every fashion lover’s heart this fall to the micro-trends that have their niche advantages, every item and aesthetic that you’ll want to procure will surely be on this list.
At Balenciaga and Gucci, eyes undoubtedly settled on Kim Kardashian and Rhianna in the front row. But once the clothes were released, so were the furtive glances to our celebrity trendsetters because designers in every fashion capital created quite the stir as they debuted shockingly short hemlines, a number of sheer ensembles, and plenty of corseted detailing. So, while we never advise you to follow trends simply because that’s what everyone else is doing, if you need any inspiration to liven up your wardrobe come fall, this trend report will definitely be of use.
Garments
#1. Black out
I think most women have come to the conclusion that underwires should simply be a thing of the past, and because of this, many designers ditched both the underwire and the shirt in favor of a classic black bra. The main brands that found favor in this look were Johnathan Simkhai, Khaite, and Coach, all of whom chose to pair it with a blazer.
#2. Lingerie Chic
Continuing with the look of black bras, see-through slip dresses and pelvic bone-grazing shorts became an all-star fashion trend for fall and winter. Veering towards a soft and sensual look, Fendi gravitated to thin slip dresses and corset tops in order to highlight women’s femininity in the workplace. Other brands that also enjoyed this flirtation with more sexual dressing were Miu Miu, Simone Rocha, and Bottega Veneta.
#3. Sweet Suits
This fall, it seemed there was a heavy emphasis on three-piece suits with a bit of a ‘60s flair. Mini skirt suits also heavily captured designers’ hearts, with Chanel’s runway leading the pack. However, the need for classic and sophisticated suits for the modern office worker wasn’t only limited to Paris Fashion Week. Designers in every fashion capital gravitated towards this elegant look, with Tod’s, Sportmax, and The Row leading the way.
#4. Sending out Flares
Both early aughts- and Euphoria-approved, flared leggings from the ‘60s have reentered the fashion sphere. An elevated version of the often trash-talked legging, the extra flare seems to have gotten the designer stamp of approval from brands such as 16Arlington and Poster Girl. And if you can find a matching crop top, then you could probably easily go back in time to the era of peace and love without many questions.
#5. Maxi Coats
Pulling away from cropped jackets, floor-trailing coats took center stage among many collections for the fall and winter of 2022-2023. Found mostly in both New York and Milan, this stunning cut of coats is unquestionably here to stay, with designers such as Khaite, Bevza, and Valentino heavily leaning into the trend. When stepping out in one of these masterpieces, just make sure the floor is clean!
#6. Purrr, Catwoman
Sleek and futuristic, a catsuit never disappoints. During the spring runway shows, a few examples of the catsuit occurred, but when it came to fall, it seemed that designers’ minds went haywire with inspiration. And with all this inspiration came a plethora of options for consumers. At Stella McCartney, a knit option is there for those of you who prefer more delicate detailing. However, for those of you interested in futuristic options, Dior’s leather ensemble will not disappoint.
#7. Office Chic
Thank God skirt suits have returned! The ultimate preppy look, this is a style I adore because it makes getting ready in the morning so easy. To get your hands on this proper and sophisticated item, heading to Oscar de la Renta, Sergio Hudson, or Prabal Gurung is an excellent idea.
#8. Revving the Engine
A mix of sweet and spicy, moto jackets are making their comeback in the collections for Versace, Loewe, and Miu Miu. While the take at Miu Miu crossed into the academic territory, finding rougher styles will be very easy when it comes to this fall fashion trend. I just hope that you have a bike to hop on!
#9. Bustier or Bust
A cottage core staple, bustier tops are the going-out top that you will need this season. Perfect for the club with a sleek pair of jeans or brunch with a loose skirt, the bustier proves to be excellent as a transition piece. Softer versions were found at Tibi and Proenza Schouler, but Dior, Balmain, and Dion Lee leaned into an almost BDSM take on the look. Think thick leather straps and striking silver grommets. As for styling? Take Who What Wear associate editor Sierra Mayhew’s advice and pair this style of top with a coat or blazer.
#10. Simple Takes
There’s nothing like a good basic to elevate any outfit, and if you’re a minimalist at heart, this will be the season for you because designers fell hard for basic pieces. On the Prada runway, we saw TikTok collectively scream in joy over the basic white tank top. Meanwhile, Brandon Maxwell, Bottega Veneta, and Givenchy embraced the simplistic outfit of jeans and a white T-shirt.
#11. Lower-Lower-Lower
Just like the 2000s Flo Rida song, jeans this year are just going lower and lower. While this might cause ecstasy for some and a heart attack for others, there’s no denying this fashion trend was heavily shown off at Blumarine and Ulla Johnson. So, get ready to bare your belly this winter!
#12. Cape Coats
No longer something for comic book characters, capes have transcended costuming and entered our everyday life. Perfect for making a dramatic entrance (or exit), this piece of outerwear will give a certain something extra to anything you wear. So, if you’re in the mood to play up your inner hero or villain, head to Bevza, Gabriela Hearst, or Valentino for a bit of added inspiration.
#13. Cozy Coats
No fall/winter look is made complete without an extravagant and oversized coat. This was no different this season, with thick and fluffy lining playing a crucial role in designers’ collections – perhaps an ode to the rockstar girlfriend aesthetic and Penny Lane? Paris runways seemingly took this look to the extreme, with Chloe and Gabriela Hearst coming in clutch with the creation of this look.
#14. Sloped Sleeves
Soft and sloping, sleeves dropped away from the bodice of dresses and tops to heavily accentuate both necklines and collarbones. Prominent at Paris Fashion Week with Courreges and Saint Laurent, the fashion trend also had a few key moments in New York with Dries van Noten and London with Simone Rocha. So, if you’ve normally nixed wearing billowing sleeves, now is the time to readjust and try out this stunning trend.
Aesthetics
#15. Y2K Fever
Depending on who you talk to, there might be a reason to call a doctor, considering the continuation of this Y2K fever. Whether a cold in the head or a genius of the heart, designers are in complete adoration with the early 2000s era. We have the Juicy Couture X Ganni collaboration, but along with this, designers on the fall 2022 runways showed support. Just consider Simon Miller, Collina Strada, and Area if you need any inspiration.
#16. Sporty Chic
Part of the entrance into the sporty look that occurred this winter was Alessandro Michele’s return to the runway with the Gucci X Adidas collaboration that proved stylish athletic wear does exist. Along with this, Tory Burch showed off tracksuit-style jackets, and both Dior and Off-White made references to soccer fashion. I guess it might be time to dust off those old tennis shoes and head out for a jog to your local mall!
#17. School’s in Session
Randomly dressing like a schoolgirl has been my obsession for the last couple of months. Perhaps it’s a bit of Y2K nostalgia on my part to reminisce about the fashion in Britney Spears’ ‘Hit me, baby, one more time’ music video, but it’s a look I really couldn’t shake. Thankfully, it seems that I’m not in bad company, with many designers highlighting this academic look in their collections. Obviously, the looks at Miu Miu might get you dress-coded, but Marine Serre and Rokh still have some wonderful options.
#18. Decades Long Gone
Designers and creative directors alike seemingly drew inspiration from both Julian Fellow’s Gilded Age and Shonda Rhimes’ Bridgerton to enamor those who can’t get enough of vintage aesthetics. While both shows take place in different time periods, there is a heavy emphasis on sloping necklines, sequins, and empire-waisted dresses in both. If you don’t believe me, then go look at both Simone Rocha and Fendi.
Material Girl
#19. BRB, I Need to Call My Grandma
The past couple of seasons have given a heavy focus on artisanal pieces, with crochet and other knitwear leading the brigade. From dresses to sweaters to tops, Ulla Johnson, Partow, Altuzarra, and Gabriela Hearst all embraced this homespun look. So, if you ever shoved away any handmade pieces that your grandmother made for you, it’s time to dig them back out of your closet and don them for fall and winter – and also ring her up for a quick apology.
#20. Leather Is Better
No material was quite as popular as leather this season. From Prada’s pink leather trench coats to full leather looks at both Khaite and Bottega Veneta, the spicy look sunk its teeth into our winter fashion trends.
#21. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star…
As with the past few seasons since the reemergence from the lockdown, party clothes have become a crucial staple to most collections. This after-dark, paint-the-town-red thought process has certainly flooded into designers’ collections once more, with 16Arlington, Bottega Veneta, and Coperni all hankering after the irresistible strobe lights of the nearest club.
#22. Little Left to the Imagination
Continuing with the night-out looks, sheer details became a mainstay for designers. While some of these looks might get you in trouble for public indecency, that wasn’t a worry for the designers that created collections around this sultry appearance. If you’re interested in wearing this look out, a few glances towards Fendi will point you in the direction of the right underwear to wear. However, if this is a new look for wandering about the house, Coperni will fill the void with its negligee-inspired pieces.
#23. Bow-Wow
The ultimate feminine statement piece, bows became a crucial part of many collections within the year. At some houses, the bow was flattened, such as the ones you can find at both Jil Sander and Valentino. Others found frilly fun in lifted and misshapen bows – these others including (but not limited to) the stylistic geniuses at Schiaparelli and Chopova Lowena.
Stylistic Takes
#24. Dresses over Pants
A 2000s red carpet classic, the look of dresses over pants seems to be ready to stab us in the heart again (make of that statement what you will!), as many designers styled their pieces this way for the collection debuts – particularly in Copenhagen. However, the Scandinavian designers weren’t alone in finding this style to be fun, as both By Malene Birger and Ganni showed different versions of this trend on their runways as well.
#25. Make It Oversized
Particularly partial to the oversized look myself, especially when it comes to jackets, this fashion trend has me jumping for joy. Seen at brands such as Peter Do, Louis Vuitton, Brandon Maxwell, and Simone Rocha, this look that prizes comfort above all else is quickly becoming a hit. And why shouldn’t it? There really is no way to make oversized items look bad!
Photos via Vogue
