Fall 2014 is about fun, it’s about casual comfort, and it’s about mixing and matching great basics. The designers this year put forth a sophisticated collection of luxuriously warm layers upon layers, just in time for the Fall chill to start nipping at our noses.
It is refreshing to see many of the classic silhouettes coming back. Lady-like skirts are more demure than some of the past seasons options, with nipped waists and full, rounded skirts that hit just above the knee. Badgley Mischka presented some gorgeous options in a dark palette of smoky charcoal, black and plaids. When paired with sumptuous coats, and practical ballet flats, it paints the perfect daydream of walking for hours in Central park, sipping a hot coffee, scone or croissant in hand.
In addition to the modest skirt designs, we saw dresses paired with slim trousers and cigarette pants. Another retro nod, designers Céline, Balenciaga, Kenzo, and Giorgio Armani took this look and ran with it, making it easy for women to wear a dress from the cab to the rooftop soiree without catching a chill. The possibilities with this look are endless as we saw silk Asian-inspired suits worn with lime bell skirts, military style dresses with a more basic silhouette worn with straight, pleated trousers, and wrap dresses paired with skinny denim. This is a versatile look that can be styled into ways you can wear at the office, to a museum opening, or at home in front of a cozy fire.
Also keeping with the trend of comfortable separates, cozy knits were prevalent all throughout the week. Marc Jacobs and Céline presented us with many pretty pants in soft knit fabrics, tossing aside last year’s tightsheavy collections. Stella McCartney and Haider Ackermann also utilized sweater-inspired fabrics and looks from head to toe. When worn with a small belt, a crisp button up, and ankle booties, sweater-soft trousers can become more posh than pajama.
A popular look that spanned across not only a multitude of runways in New York, but across the ocean as well, were robe coats. In every length and color, robe coats were worn over both separates and dresses. This laid-back casual style, favored by Moschino, Max Mara, Leonard, Marques’Almeida, and Céline, makes the statement that Friday’s are going to be extremely casual, and that it is ok to wear your bathrobe out to get your morning bagel. Just do not forget to remove your slippers.
Fur was prevalent, a trend that is popular season after season, year after year. This year it hasbeen re-worked into head wraps and as subtle accents on eveningwear. Cynthia Rowley created hats and wraps from rich caramel-hued fur to compliment her bold colored, leather separates. Ralph Lauren opted for lavender and blush-dyed vests and coats to add glamour to his Gatsby-era inspired silk dresses. A highlight was the stark contrast of Zang Toi’s dark and beautiful black satin evening gowns that were intensified by the use of emerald green fur. If you aren’t into fur and seek a friendlier option, faux fur is used by many designers worldwide and can present that same level of glam.
If coat robes and faux-fur wraps aren’t your cup of tea, Phillip Lim, Oscar De La Renta, and Thakoon, presented gorgeous options in oversized-turtlenecks. Easy to accessorize, you can pair these with a nice pair of jeans and boots, a neutral leather mini or the aforementioned bell skirt. And, as an added bonus, your neck will stay nice and toasty warm, a plus if you are scheduled to belt out tunes on Broadway all season long. Or if you are just popping in to meet friends at the local pub for some karaoke. It’s always ok to dream.
Holding on to the sweet days of summer were Altuzarra, BCBG Max Azria, and Moncler Gamme Rouge with their fun usage of electrifying neon. Geometric slices of every color from highlighter yellow to hot pink were seen on black and white ensembles throughout the week, assuring us that though summer is behind us, it’s not too far away.
Published in the Fall 2014 issue.