Shapes Of Things To Come?
I’ll admit, I haven’t paid much attention in recent seasons to Fashion Weeks or what designers are sending down the runways. But lots of interesting looks have been popping up on Pinterest from NYFW for Fall/Winter 2014, which prompted me to browse through several designers’ collections. After all, some of these trends will filter down to us lowly mortals, as Miranda Priestly schools us all in “The Devil Wears Prada,” 😉
‘This… stuff’? Oh. Okay. I see. You think this has nothing to do with you. You go to your closet and you select… I don’t know… that lumpy blue sweater, for instance because you’re trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back. But what you don’t know is that that sweater is not just blue, it’s not turquoise. It’s not lapis. It’s actually cerulean. And you’re also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves Saint Laurent… wasn’t it who showed cerulean military jackets? I think we need a jacket here. And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers. And then it, uh, filtered down through the department stores and then trickled on down into some tragic Casual Corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin. However, that blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs and it’s sort of comical how you think that you’ve made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you’re wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room from a pile of stuff.
Well. Dictatorial and condescending fictional fashion editors aside, the designer collections are where fashion trends first sprout…whether they take hold and flourish depends on retail buyers and ultimately consumers.
The good news is that I noticed several trends across some of the more “accessible” designers or collections that could potentially translate into some very wearable styles in the next few seasons. While more than a few versions of wide, cropped trousers were spotted /-p
…there were also a lot of slim, full-length trousers and “long over lean” silhouettes on the runways. Also: pants that are slim (or even slightly flared) not painted-on-skinny.
Longer, fuller skirts were another welcome trend for those who have been frustrated by several seasons of shorter-than-short lengths.
When you look at runway images, try not to get too hung up on the overall outfits or how things have been styled. Of course some outfits may look bizarre and a bit silly; the idea is to get attention in an environment over-saturated with images.
Several designers also featured what I call “etherial layers,” sheer, floaty bits that add softness and movement.
It will be interesting to see if or how any of these filter down to retail. All of the collections shown at various fashion weeks are available here at Style.com, which is where all of the pictures above were sourced.
Do you follow Fashion Weeks or designer collections? Were there any trends in recent collections that you would like to see on the racks?
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I love to look at the pictures from the runway and appreciate the creativity…almost the same as an art museum. I do not know how I feel about the shorter pants with the longer coats…though I really like the longer coat. It is fun to see how many actually make it to the racks. You selected some great images here…and I will go over to the link and have a peek.
Longer skirts! Finally!
Indeed! And not bluidy pencil skirts. Thing I could cycle in, not that I’d really cycle in anything that expensive…
I found quite a few wearable looks, too. I am thrilled about seeing more midi skirts!
There’s so much to be excited about. I’ve been seeing this also, many looks that would be wearable for the 40+ crowd. It’s exciting! Enjoy seeing your choices.
blue hue wonderland
I’ve long though slim pants look better on women than really skinny ones, because they don’t strain, then bag at the knee.
Great post. I have been so into the Olympics that fashion week is passing without my paying attention to it at all. I do love that Theory coat you featured and I love those sheer pieces added over a slim silhouette. Love that you added the monologue from that great scene in ‘The Devil Wears Prada.’ Meryl was so good in that movie! I also loved when Stanley Tucci says something like, ‘If there is a ballerina skirt with a hint of saloon I’m on board.’ Hilarious! XO, Jill
I like to look at what the fashion extravaganzas are showing bug they rarely suit me. Flamboyant and fabulous as they look on these tall models they do not work for me. I look at the way that the designers use fabric, texture and how they choose to accessorize the ensembles and then I pick one or two things that I try to incorporate into my basic wardrobe. I do love Theory and Eileen Fisher.
I am so happy to see floaty pants and longer skirts. These, to my mind, are so much more feminine and for those of us who are model tall and slim – these are ideal.
I love to look at the couture stuff, often not to get ideas, but just to admire it. But there are some great looks here. I’ll just have to wait until they trickle down to the casual corner sale bin 🙂
I just wonder whether the big round-shoulders on those coats are going to persist. I agree totally on the ethereal layers, bits of sheer is happening.
I think there are some lovely wearable looks coming for Autumn 14. The Theory coat is fabulous.
thank you for the update on Fashion Week. I haven’t paid much attention to it. I HAVE continued to pay attention to your travel choices! 😉
You picked some lovely ensembles — I like the ethereal layers also!
I really don’t usually look at the shows or big designers, but you and Patti have both picked some lovely outfits to show.
The extreme cold of this winter has shown me some holes in my cold weather wardrobe so I’ve been looking at these collections with some interest as I think I’ll add a full outfit in 2014. I’ll be interested to see what makes it into my favorite brands.
Because I am a knitter, I always like looking for the fall/winter knitwear. Because I am short, I hate to see the skirts get long again. But otherwise, I never find these too relevent to my rather everyday life, despite a fairly healthy interest in fashion. My overall sense is that the colors, and the makeup have made every one look wan and sad…not what I am personally hoping for. And aren’t there studies that tie long skirts to falling economy?
Michael Kors is always at hit. Lay out all the pieces of an outfit that walked the runways and it’s easy to rearrange them for what works for you.
Thank goodness for some wearable clothes this upcoming season! I can DO this!
These looks are so utterly wearable for all ages……just love your pics! xx If you are passing by my blog I would love your comments too! xx
Nice pics! I follow the shows somewhat since my daughter is a set designer for several of them. This last round her studio designed the sets for Alexander Wang and Marc Jacobs so I took special notice of those lines. The heat-changing leather jackets at the end of the Wang show were nifty and I thought Jacobs’ floaty tunics were lovely.
Great job picking out some of the more earthbound designs from the fall 2014 shows. I love them all! ~ Susan