Gianni Versace once said, “Don’t be into trends. Don’t make fashion own you. You decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way you live.” And he’s right, trends should never inform your entire style, but at their best, they are a window into the zeitgeist. They mirror the larger narrative happening within our worlds. Going-out clothes, fun with workwear, sequins for day: These are all markers of ushering in a time of joy after so much fear and uncertainty. Skirts are getting shorter, so life, clearly, is getting better. See what other stories the runways in New York are telling as a premonition to the season overall.
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The bralette has become the undergarment of choice for women who wouldn't dare wear underwire while working from home. That sentiment has creeped into ready-to-wear where the almighty black bra is now simply a top.
Pictured: Khaite, Rosie Assoulin, Jonathan Simkhai, Coach
An emphasis on three-piece suits, tweed, camel, and an overall equestrian vibe that harkens back to Queen Elizabeth at her country estate or a proper gentleman getting his seasonal fix on Savile Row is, to put it simply, all the rage.
Pictured: Brandon Maxwell, Veronica Beard, Tory Burch, Rosetta Getty, The Row, Peter Do
The bustier is quite possibly the original going-out top. This strapless number is endlessly flattering and can be dressed down with denim, coordinated in a matching set, or dressed up with a midi skirt.
Pictured: Tibi, Staud, Proenza Schouler
A love affair with the early aughts has been sparked, and there's simply no taming this flame. Layer on sequins, lean into baby blue, and embrace feathers, wallet chains, and plaids. It's a new millennium, again, and, honey, you've never looked better.
Pictured: Simon Miller, Collina Strada, Charles Jeffrey Loverboy, Area, Tia Adeola
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The cape is not just a coat alternative anymore. Worn as an evening cover or fashioned as a very dramatic dress, it's perfect for both heroes and villains. We'll all be both at some point in our lives after all.
Pictured: Gabriela Hearst, Bevza, Carolina Herrera, Duncan
A return to and respect for artisanal practices and the artisans behind them has been at the forefront. The runway is following suit with expertly executed pieces that leverage crochet on dresses and sweaters in a mix of rich autumnal hues and graphic black and white.
Pictured: Ulla Johnson, Partow, Gabriela Hearst, Altuzarra
The conversation in fashion lately has revolved around the idea of party clothes. The kids are ready for the club again. But that after-dark mood is creeping into day as paillettes on New York's runways are paired with everything from blazers to trousers to puffers. Who says you can only shine at night?
Pictured: Proenza Schouler, Khaite, Micharl Kors, LaQuan Smith, 3.1 Phillip Lim
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Back to that after-dark vibe. The look that's emerging for evening is sultry and sexy, and not just a little sheer. The overall message? Show 'em what you've got.
Pictured: Jonathan Simkhai, LaQuan Smith, Interior, Dion Lee
It doesn't get more pulled together than a proper skirt suit. The look now is emerging to be vibrant and bold, done up in colors and patterns that spark joy and look good on TikTok. A win-win.
Pictured: Oscar de la Renta, Adam Lippes, Sergio Hudson, Prabal Gurung
This article originally appeared in Harper's BAZAAR US