When I studied and researched the top trends for the Fall/Winter 2018 season, eight trends stood out as being both fashionable and practical. I think that practicality is one of the most important features of a trend during the fall and winter months. Below are eight of the top trends for this season.
Animal print
Forget any negative preconceptions you had about animal print – zebra and leopard are back in a big way for winter 2018, as seen on the catwalks of Victoria Beckham, Calvin Klein, Givenchy, Balenciaga, and Tom Ford. To avoid overdoing it, keep the rest of your outfit pared-down and team with flats.
Modesty dressing
In a post-“Time’s Up” era, designers experimented with female sexuality and by and large the silhouette was decidedly covered-up. From extreme layers at Balenciaga to Erdem’s evening dresses worn over prim shirts and stockings, hemlines were kept low and necklines high. Tailoring too was big news – especially at Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney.. This is, of course,was not new news, but never has modesty been more pervasive than this season – bar the exceptions of Christopher Kane and Saint Laurent.
Gloss
High-shine fabrics were key on the catwalks this season, whether vinyl, latex, plastic (a key look for summer 2018) or leather. At Chanel, metallics were created in a glossy material, while Simone Rocha’s feminine dresses were given a subversive edge when created in patent red. Fendi updated the trench by giving them a rain-proof glossy finish.
Tweed
Add an air of heritage chic to your wardrobe next season by nodding to the tweed trend. Marc Jacobs (pictured) played with textures, styling oversized tweed coats with leather skirts. Louis Vuitton dressed numerous models in tweed skirts that most women will want next season, and then there’s Miu Miu’s bold, 80s-inspired tweed coats as fashioned on the catwalk by Elle Fanning.
Checks
Plaid, Prince of Wales heritage, or tartan, checks in all their many forms are key for the new season. Americana-inspired plaid stood out at Calvin Klein, worn over balloon sleeve shirts. A more polished take can be found at Erdem, who incorporated classic Prince of Wales checks into his collection.
Luxury fringing
Forget what you thought you knew about fringing – this latest incarnation should be kept away from muddy festival fields. This time round, fringing has a more refined aesthetic – beaded and shimmering at Gucci, Christopher Kane, and Givenchy. Skirts with trailing ties (like at Loewe and Chloe) layered over boots will be worn by all fashion influencers next season.
Western Wear
One of this season’s most pervasive looks, the western trend was hard to ignore. Isabel Marant opened her show with Dolly Parton’s Jolene, as models wore prairie dresses and cowboy boots (it’s worth digging these out now if you want to look ahead of the game); Fendi also featured cowboy boots and chic neckerchiefs; and at Calvin Klein we were given a futuristic look at what America might look like, complete with traditional western shirts and plaid dresses.
Leather
The most dominant of all fabrics this season was leather which came by way of skirts, trousers and trench coats. It doesn’t have to be in black either – Givenchy served up coats in petrol green and Loewe did dresses in butterscotch-colored leather. A midi black leather skirt as seen at Hermes will serve you well next winter, as will a pair of Saint Laurent’s leather trousers.
