Neoprene has long been a summer-only fabric, used most often for wetsuits and activewear. The past few seasons though, have seen it come into the forefront of fashion. From crop tops to structured dresses to your basic sweatshirts, neoprene is now being used all year long for some of the most fashion forward looks you can imagine.
Outerwear
For a fabric that’s been a summer staple for so long, it’s difficult to think of neoprene as something as opposite as a winter coat, but that’s exactly how many designers are using it this year. Anya Hindmarch played with the classic trench coat, turning it into a playful chic silhouette using a very feminine color palette. One the bolder side of the spectrum, Lanvin used neoprene in vibrant primary colors to create volume with their coats.
Want to create your own avant-garde outerwear? Try these fabrics:
Color Blocking
Color blocking has been a huge trend all on its own recently, and since neoprene is a great fabric for clean lines and mod vibes, it’s no wonder designers are using it to combine styles. Hindmarch’s swimwear from their Spring 2017 collection is a fresh new way incorporate color blocking into your wardrobe, especially if it’s not typically something you go for. Delpozo also played with it a bit, pairing a simple neoprene circle skirt with other simple solid pieces for a look that is anything but basic.
Get color blocking with these fabrics:
Details
Maybe a full neoprene ensemble isn’t really your style. No worries, you can still take some style inspiration from the runways when it comes to your details and embellishments. Ruffles, another popular look on the runways recently, can look positively gorgeous in neoprene. You can go with some simple additions to a basic dress, à la Oscar de la Renta, or go big and bold with your additions. Delpozo added some stunning waist embelishments, while Dice Kayek created a totally original silhouete with their neoprene ruffles.
Got ruffles? Add some with one of these fabrics:
Ha. I’m usually (never) anywhere near trends, But after making a couple of scuba short sleeve dresses, I decided the fabric was too hot for summer wear (except when submerged in water) so am in the process of making a slightly tailored jacket. Who would have thought.