12 Standout Fashion Trends from the Fall 2020 Runways

Much of the fall 2020 season was marked by an apocalyptic vibe that found its way onto the runways. From Balenciaga’s flooded floors to Thom Browne’s Noah’s ark pairs, not to mention the cancellation of some shows in Milan, the outlook was dour. Even though designers had no way of knowing what was coming, it felt like the trends shared that mood—to wit, very dramatic all black was a recurring theme. But that really was the admittedly chic exception to an overall optimistic season. Actual brides (what could be more joyful?) and full-on kira kira glitter walked alongside fringe pieces, fabulous red dresses, and giant statement-making coats. Perhaps in a nod to sustainability, there was also a leaning into the classics, from Upper East Side ’80s ladies to prep-school tropes and Scottish plaids. Lingerie looks, all shades of nude, and some seriously interesting sleeve work were also at play. See what else the fall 2020 runways had in store and shop the looks now.

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White Wedding

The bridal market is booming, and it seems ready-to-wear designers are getting in on the action. Woe is the fashion bride who comes to face with a sea of strapless faille without a bias-cut or statement-making bodice among them—but no longer. In the hands of Brandon Maxwell, with a sleek two-piece bandeau number; Tom Ford, with a one-shoulder body-hugging lace gown; and Khaite, with a cutout, long-sleeve statement dress with an open back, among many other standouts, almost all fashion girl bridal problems are solved.

Brands: Tom Ford, Givenchy, Khaite, Paco Rabanne, Richard Quinn, Prabal Gurung, Simone Rocha, Brandon Maxwell, Giambattista Valli

Les Rêveries One-Shoulder Ruched Silk-Jacquard Gown

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Putting on the Glitz

It can sometimes seem that we've been living in the era of minimal neutrals. Track the amount of beige Instagrams with 200K-plus followers for proof. But perhaps maximalism isn’t dead if all the kira kira-level sparkles coming down the fall runways are any indication. Morphing into a human disco ball is the number one cure for situational sadness, according to experts. Marc Jacobs, Erdem, Balenciaga, and Oscar de la Renta agree. A girl needs something to dance in after all.

Brands: Balenciaga, Oscar de la Renta, Givenchy, JW Anderson, Tom Ford, Off-White, Paco Rabanne, Versace, Marc Jacobs

Gucci Heritage GG Lamé Mini Dress

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The Merry Widow

It seems so trite to proclaim that black is back. Let’s be honest, New York’s favourite hue has never truly fallen out of favour. It is being elevated to first look out status for the first season in many though, and it’s doing so with a definite degree of capital-D drama. That giant face-obscuring hat at Givenchy, the sweeping ruffled collar at Schiaparelli, that neckline with that veil at Herrera, not to mention Oscar de la Renta’s tulle bodice—we don’t know whether she’s the merry widow holding onto all her cash in style or the ultimate “showing up to your ex’s funeral” meme, but either way we really like her.

Brands: Givenchy, Carolina Herrera, Off-White, Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta, Brandon Maxwell, Rodarte, Brock Collection

La Collection Jacqueline Silk-Satin Maxi Dress

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Intimate Apparel

Usually, we associate dour times with covering all the way up—it’s the hemline index, folks, and it’s real. So let’s take all of these lingerie-inspired looks as a sign of serious optimism. Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, and Mugler are all about sheer black underpinnings as outerwear, and we’re here for all the body positivity. Saint Laurent paired black latex with a bra, and we could see Bella Hadid heading out for a night on the town in it, while others went the bra top route for a subtler nod to boudoir.

Brands: Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Lanvin, Mugler, Rodarte, Tom Ford, Saint Laurent

Alexander McQueen Cotton-Blend Lace Bustier Top

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Get Preppy

From New England sailor girls at Gucci and Miu Miu to Burberry’s collegiate sweaters, a great gold-button navy blazer from Saint Laurent, and yachting stripes at Versace, there’s a newfound appreciation for classic Americana style creeping up on the Fall 2020 runways. She’s all about the navy, white, and stripes. A good tailored jacket need not be shrunken or oversized. And while we have no illusions about the good old days, we do appreciate a little prep in our step.

Brands: Burberry, Christian Dior, Gucci, Max Mara, Miu Miu, Ports 1961, Saint Laurent, Versace, Tory Burch

Vince Open-Knit Cardigan

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Red Dress Diaries

Not since the heyday of Valentino red in the ’90s has the colour felt more relevant. Of course, Pierpaolo Piccioli gave us his take on the brand’s signature shade on a stunning, glimmering red turtleneck gown. Rodarte went sheer and French dotted, and Bottega Veneta gave us the perfect louche evening gown, while Balenciaga’s super-form-fitting red dress-pant combo was somewhere between Madame Grés and an especially fierce ballerina. In other words, there are many ways to get in on the red dress look this season, and none of them is subtle.

Brands: Valentino, Alberta Ferretti, Carolina Herrera, Christopher Kane, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Mugler, Rodarte, Giambattista Valli

Proenza Schouler Pleated Poplin Maxi Dress

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The Whit Stillman Effect

Whit Stillman’s seminal film, Metropolitan, will forever stand as a love letter to the Upper East side ’80s girl. Not all ’80s references are created equal after all. She of the big sleeves, hair bows, and taffeta is Stillman’s ’80s lady. She’s Blair Waldorf’s ultimate inspiration and maybe her aunt. She’s oversized Chanel coats and cross-body bags. She’s tweedy red jackets with velvet lapels. She’s back and better than ever.

Brands: Chanel, Isabel Marant, Loewe, Self-Portrait, Dolce & Gabbana, Alessandra Rich, Proenza Schouler, Versace, Saint Laurent

Aje Psychedelia Belted Crepe Blazer

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All the Flesh Tones

From a leather biker jacket and pleated skirt in caramel at Fendi to a long-sleeve column dress in beige sequins at Bottega Veneta to a chocolate-brown vinyl bodysuit at Balmain, designers gave a whole new meaning to going nude for the fall 2020 season. Let’s call this the Fenty Beauty effect, which casts a wide net, offering every beautiful shade of every beautiful person. The runways showcased a range of complexions that—and here’s the real clincher—covered up the body. They gave the illusion of flesh without actually showing it, communicating that, at least in this instance, fashion is really skin deep.

Brands: Fendi, Akris, Altuzarra, Balmain, Bottega Veneta, Christopher Kane, Alexander McQueen, Jil Sander

Marysia Sea Urchin Textured-Cotton Midi Dress

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Such a Tassel

There’s no denying that wearing fringe is tricky. With ample amounts of loose-hanging tufts moving and flowing in every direction, it is not the best option to wear from nine-to-five—hence why it is often relegated to glitzy soirées and costume parties. Designers this season, however, took the hassle out of the tassel. For example, Bottega Veneta created chucky cords at the end of teddy coats, Etro and Zimmermann placed them on elegant ponchos, Gabriela Hearst lined them on suede trenches, and Paco Rabanne fastened them to modest wool dresses. Of course, there were titillating offerings at Christian Dior and Area (a fashion season wouldn’t be complete without them), but the overall message was that all could benefit from fringe throughout the day.

Brands: Bottega Veneta, Nanushka, Christian Dior, Salvatore Ferragamo, Gabriela Hearst, Prada, Jil Sander, Area

Bottega Veneta Fringe Gathered Leather Shoulder Bag

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Strength in Arms

Pronounced shoulders convey fortitude, control, and chutzpah. But for the fall 2020 season, romance was added into the mix, and this primarily came in the form of mutton sleeves. Also known as the gigot sleeve, the style delineates voluminous shoulders that taper down the arm. It is typified by queens of England, Disney princess, real-life princesses (à la Princess Diana’s wedding dress), Gibson Girls, society swans in the ’30s, and the oeuvre of Christian Lacroix. All this speaks to a bygone era, when glamour and fantasy were the crux of the fashion industry. The modern-day versions, though, are sleeker and more structured (ribbed sweaters at Isabel Marant, camel dresses at Balmain, shimmering blouses at Christopher John Rogers, and tweed jackets at Chanel), but imbue a wistful vibe nonetheless.

Brands: Alexander McQueen, Acne, Christopher John Rogers, Isabel Marant, Dries van Noten, Chanel, Etro, Marni

Orseund Iris Lady Cropped Cold-Shoulder Cotton-Poplin Top

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Plaid About It

It’s a mad, mad world, and a great way to overcome it is with plaid. The exuberant pattern has long been part of fashion’s vernacular, seeing itself in varying degrees on the runways season after season—especially at Burberry, its grandest proponent. But for fall 2020, other labels took the ubiquitous motif for a spin, casting it onto pieces that exemplify each of their aesthetics. Marine Serre featured it on framed double-breasted coats over a bodysuit, Celine had it on cool capes, Maison Margiela added a woolly lining, Proenza Schouler went for edgy peacoats, Chloé stuck to the ’70s, and Victoria Beckham opted for sleek day dresses covered in the print. There is dynamism attached to wearing plaid that isn’t as flamboyant as other prints. And in troublesome times, we could use some of that energy.

Brands: Celine, Burberry, Chloe, Hermes, Maison Margiela, Lanvin, Tibi, Sacai, Roberto Cavalli, Victoria Beckham

Prada Checked Wool Blazer

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All the Trimmings

Fashion loves to revisit prevalent styles from the past and make them new—and fall 2020 was no different. Case in point: Many designers presented a certain type of coat that harks to the '70s, a decade that was on the cusp of bohemia, entering glam rock, and all about disco. Indeed, all these characteristics exemplified the chic topper at the presentations of Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, A.W.A.K.E. Mode, Saint Laurent, and Marc Jacobs. They all showed overcoats with long, sleek silhouettes that were punctuated with oversized collars made of fur or shearling. Still, each stamped their signature to the groovy style, giving their designs a modern-day lift with interesting fabric choices and colours.

Brands: Louis Vuitton, Tod's, Coach, Saint Laurent, Miu Miu, Loewe, Chloé, Marc Jacobs

Boyarovskaya Belted Cotton-Blend Gabardine Trench Coat

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This article originally appeared on Harper’s BAZAAR US.