As we eagerly await Fashion Month, no one can help but speculate what we’ll see sauntering down the runway for Spring 2020. Powerful suiting and delicate lace have combined to create androgynous styles, while tailored looks have ruled the roost. Will the excessive fashions of past seasons make their way into the new decade, and what callbacks will we see from the 1920s? From flapper fringe to powerful prints, let’s take a look at some of what we can expect to see this September.
Bodycon Cocktail Dress
Bodyconcious dresses have been making the rounds, walking down the runway in simple styles, like Haney’s slinky red dress with a well-placed cut out. Alice + Olivia let their golden number take center stage, paired with white boots and little else, while David Koma’s tank sleeved silhouette features suspender style buckles as a delicate detail. Eytys utilizes the athleisure trend to create a sporty rib knit ensemble, and House of Holland uses a frilly tulle for a feminine touch. Maisie Wilen’s abstract print lends itself well to such a straightforward silhouette, and Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini pairs four of the same prints in different colorways for an eye-catching ensemble.
The best fabrics for body-conscious dresses are stretchy and fitted. Try tricot for a unique style, or stretchy faux suede for a luxurious look. Utilize bamboo jersey for something comfy and conscious, or stretchy sequins for something sparkling.
Corset Closures
The Victorian style hit its peak in 2019. As we come closer to 2020, there is one vestige of this trend that’s sticking around; Corset Closures. From laced-up backs (or fronts, in the case of 3×1’s Resort line) to hook-and-eyes, this trend is quite open and shut. Amiri utilizes a corset tie up the front of some suede pants, while Antonio Berardi gives off some Renaissance vibes with a bishop sleeve blouse. Ardem utilizes the typical corset buttons for a button up dress with a puff sleeve, while Jacquemus uses them for a versatile blouse. Luisa Beccaria utilizes corset buttons to up her typically romantic aesthetic, and Olivier Theyskens goes all out with a corset clasp blouse.
Keep it closed with corset closures like hook-and-eye, and utilize ribbon for a dainty detail. If you find that corset closures are better as darling details, keep them closed and use an invisible zipper. Don’t worry, we won’t reveal your secret!
Reconstructed Deconstruction
There’s always that one designer, you know the one, you’re looking at the runway and thinking “this collection isn’t even finished.” Threads hang loose and uncut, sleeves aren’t fully attached, and seams are haphazardly hand-stitched. The deconstructed trend may not be ready-to-wear, but reconstructed deconstruction sure is! Prabal Gurung is an excellent example of this, piecing together different dresses to create something entirely new. Balmain creates a new definition for business casual with a blazer spliced with a denim jacket, while Ji Oh simply stitches a denim jacket to a basic button up, making getting ready for a cool Fall day twice as easy. Michael Kors’ trench coat brings punk and prep together with a black leather and houndstooth print trench coat, and Monse makes a blazer dress made up of two blazers recut into a dress. Nicole Miller utilizes a solid print denim and a floral print denim for a denim jacket that makes you do a double take, and Our Legacy does something similar with a pair of multi-denim jeans.
Reptile Prints
Reptiles are the latest animals to take over the runway, passing by zebras and cheetahs with ease. Veronica Beard shows off this style with sophistication, proving that reptile print is as versatile as it is striking. Altuzarra gets professional with a reptile print blazer, while Dennis Basso uses reptile print with finesse, showing a trench made of pure white reptile print, broken up by bursts of playful colors. Fendi snakes in with an extravagant trench in reptile print, with bright white piping for contrast, and Maisie Wilen’s skirt and jacket set in a reptile print is paired perfectly with a turtleneck in polka dot print. Norma Kamali brings it back with a cropped jacket and full jumpsuit, and Preen by Thronton Bregazzi utilize reptile print for an out of this world cocktail dress.
Check out Mood’s new silk prints for a variety of animal prints, from zebras to reptiles, or some brocades for a similar style. Mood’s variety of animal prints are sure to please in any textile.
Asymmetrical Hem
Symmetry may be a sign of beauty, but asymmetry is a sign of style this season, as Kate Spade New York shows off with expertise in a purple charmeuse dress with a very, very, very slightly asymmetrical hemline. A.L.C. shows off a cheetah print that pulls from the reconstructed deconstruction trend from above, while Ami’s slinky slip has a lovely train off to the side. Andrew Gn’s asymmetrical hem pulls from the Victorian trend, and Fendi gets a little more drastic with a skirt that features two lengths in one skirt. Nomia’s sage ensemble is as simple as they come, while Paco Rabanne pairs an asymmetrical dress with an asymmetrical skirt to create an asymmetrical ensemble.
Make your kilt of off-kilter with a simple sateen, or create an asymmetrical slip with satin. Utilize mesh for a sideways style, or create a slant with bamboo knits.
What are you looking forward to next season? From 1920’s asthetics to 2020 styles, I can’t wait to scour the runways! Let me know what you think in the comments!
2 comments
Didn’t like most of the styles, but did like many of the example fabrics you included. Glad to see a real woman modeling an outfit! Wish we would see more of them on the runways and style mags.
We are ALL real women.