As the year comes to a close, there are so many things to do. Find a great party, write some resolutions, and look back at the year’s trends. From Victorian style sleeves to bright red paired with pastel blue, 2018 has been a mixture of old and new. Let’s take a look at the styles from the past year, and speculate as to how they’ll be seen on the runway for 2019.

Lavender

Lavender was the color of the year. Although Ultraviolet was named the Pantone color of the year, this pastel purple was seen far more often. Emilio Pucci started this trend off strong with stunning lavender pants paired perfectly with a pale yellow blouse, while Rosie Assoulin opted for a slightly darker lavender with a maxi dress. Pre-Fall saw a continuation of this trend with Miu Miu’s lovely plaid cardigan, and Gucci brought it home with a beautiful fall dress that featured pleating and layers.

It looks like lavender is here to stay, with several 2019 collections already showing this trend. Marni utilized lavender with a gamboge print on a coat, and Rochas simple sheath dress is made of a pinkish-lavender.

Love these lavender fabrics:

Puff Sleeves

Puff sleeves have come in all forms on the runway this season, from Victorian-style mutton sleeves to short princess sleeves. Nina Ricci went big with exaggerated mutton sleeves for Resort 2018, which transitioned nicely into slimmer, more fitted style from Ulla Johnson for Spring 2018. Carolina Herrera styled a beautiful sunflower maxi with princess puff sleeves, and Dice Kayak brought it full circle with another exaggerated mutton sleeve for Fall 2018.

For Resort 2019, Alexander McQueen went with a more understated puff sleeve attachment on a coat, while Louis Vuitton went back to basics with an oversized puff sleeve.

Go big with these fabrics:

Ruching

Ruching, popular in the 80s, but started to make a subtle comeback with Theory’s ruched blouse for Resort.  Tom Ford took it to the next step with an extremely ruched evening gown, and Diane von Furstenberg created a slightly ruched blouse that’s perfectly fitted for Pre-Fall. Mulberry focused on the extra ruched style with a mid-length dress that featured a ruched skirt, ruched sleeves, and a ruched bodice and neckline.

Ruching made its way into the Resort 2019 lines with a dropped waist Zimmerman gown that featured ruching along the bodice, but for Spring Balenciaga opted for a looser ruching on a stunning red cocktail dress.

Recreate ruching with these fabrics:

Two-Toned Clothing

Garments made of multicolored fabrics were all the rage this season, starting with Alexander McQueen’s pink and red dress, followed by Calvin Klein’s red and blue blouse for Spring. Neil Barrett kept it basic with a black dress that featured white starbursts. Adam Selman finished the year with a more than just two colors, showing a blouse of primary colors.

Alberta Ferretti’s resort look utilized two hues of the same military green, and Rodarte’s knit dress featured a bright white and an even brighter red.

Check out these fabrics:

Wearability

It seems weird to mention that designers are concerned with wearable clothing since that is what they sell. But, often times when you look on the runway, most of the clothing is… not wearable at all. But, wearability was in for 2018, starting with Alena Akhmadullina’s simple, chic, and oh so cozy short-sleeved cardigan and simple trousers. Ralph Lauren’s spring dress and leather belt were simple and stunning, while Balenciaga’s loose sweater dress and green tights is perfect for keeping warm in the winter.  Sandro closed out the year with a streetwear style that featured a plaid button up, ripped jeans, and a much-needed coffee.

Antonio Berardi continued this trend with a fitted dress and pearl buttons, and even Chanel hopped on board with a pair of simple leggings, a stylish blazer, and a lovely checkered blouse.

Wear these fabrics:

What was your favorite style from 2018? I love the puff sleeves! Let me know in the comments!