Some call fashion frivolous, but ready-to-wear trends can actually tell us a lot about what’s happening not just in the industry, but also in the world at large. And last month, the 400-plus Spring 2019 shows in New York, London, Milan and Paris gave us a lot to mull over. There was Hedi Slimane’s provocative Celine debut; Alessandro…
Spring 2019 Trends
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Big, Boxy Blazers
Big, boxy and exaggeratedly shoulder-padded blazers were all the rage among Spring 2019 showgoers, and the collections followed suit (har, har). On runways across New York, London, Milan and Paris, no single item turned up more than a loose-cut (kind of ill-fitting) blazer. Honestly, we're still warming up to this trend — is anyone else reminded of Kanye and Lil Pump's "I Love It" video? — but we're here for the propagation of non-gender dressing.
Acne Studios Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Big, Boxy Blazers
Balenciaga Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Big, Boxy Blazers
Erdem Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Big, Boxy Blazers
Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Big, Boxy Blazers
Victoria Beckham Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Cool Cardigans
Yes, cardigans can be cool. Sexy, even. For Spring 2019, the once oppressively prim-and-proper sweaters got the high-fashion treatment at Versace, Gucci, Loewe, Marc Jacobs, Christopher Kane and more. Equipped with ruffled trim, glittering epaulets, kitschy brooches and oversized buttons, these were a far cry from the frumpy, pilling things you use to ward off aggressive office air-conditioning. Bonus points if you wear them unbuttoned to just above the navel.
Gucci Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Cool Cardigans
Christopher Kane Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Cool Cardigans
Loewe Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Cool Cardigans
Versace Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Cool Cardigans
Marc Jacobs Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Geometric Bags
What was it with geometric bags this season? Perhaps inspired by the stunning success of Balenciaga’s Triangle purse, designers were all about the handheld circles (Marine Serre, Chanel, Peter Pilotto) and squares (Louis Vuitton, Versace, Etro, Dolce & Gabbana). Will they actually fit any/all of your essentials? Probably not, but that's beside the point.
Chanel Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Geometric Bags
Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Geometric Bags
Etro Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Geometric Bags
Marine Serre Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Geometric Bags
Peter Pilotto Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Sheer Layers
As evidenced by New York’s Spring 2019 shows, a sheer dress layered over boy shorts (and, if you’re feeling especially modest, a bra) is still very much the look — all hail Maria Grazia Chiuri. However, if you're looking to show only a hint of skin, or to add interest to your outfit without obscuring any part of it, next spring will be the time to do it. At runways across the globe, sheer-paneled tops and see-through underlays and overlays abounded. Peek-a-boo.
Christian Dior Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Sheer Layers
Jil Sander Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Sheer Layers
Luar Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Sheer Layers
Maryam Nassir Zadeh Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Sheer Layers
Simone Rocha Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Beach Vibes
From the chunky platform flip-flops at Jil Sander and Salvatore Ferragamo to the scuba gear at Calvin Klein and Marine Serre to the actual lifeguard chairs and cabanas at Thom Browne to Chanel’s seaside extravaganza to the dizzying number of tie-dye swirls on runways across all four fashion cities, it was clear designers had one thing on their minds: escapism. Per Karl Lagerfeld and Raf Simons (respectively), ground your beachy neoprene and spandex with more terrestrial items like denim jeans and ruched midi skirts on days when you can’t get away.
Calvin Klein Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Beach Vibes
Chanel Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Beach Vibes
Marine Serre Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Beach Vibes
Sportmax Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Beach Vibes
Paco Rabanne Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Over-The-Top Couture
Princess ruffles, lace and whimsical proportions were big themes for Spring 2019. We very much enjoy watching designers’ eveningwear offerings get weirder and more exaggerated with each passing season. Here’s to fashion that demands attention.
Bora Aksu Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Over-The-Top Couture
Delpozo Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Over-The-Top Couture
Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Over-The-Top Couture
Erdem Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Over-The-Top Couture
Rodarte Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Feathers Everywhere
Feathers have been back on-trend for the past few seasons, and it doesn’t appear the light-as-air accents are going away anytime soon. Notable looks included the fanciful, plume-tipped dresses at Brock Collection and Valentino and the full-on Josephine Baker skirts at Rochas. Fluttery accessories also had their moment: Ostrich feather sandals floated down the runway at Prabal Gurung and MGSM, avian-inspired ear and hair pieces tickled our senses at Loewe and Dries Van Noten, respectively.
Loewe Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Feathers Everywhere
Prabal Gurung Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Feathers Everywhere
Rochas Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Feathers Everywhere
Simone Rocha Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Feathers Everywhere
Brock Collection Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Super-Short Hems
Get ready to show some leg: Micro-mini dresses are a must-have for Spring 2019. Sky-high hemlines were omnipresent on the runways, making especially memorable appearances at Versace, Prada, Saint Laurent and Celine. Go barelegged or slip on some statement tights; ground the look with stilettos, platforms, boots, brogues, whatever you damn well please. (Although, pro tip, a flesh-tone heel is an instant leg-lengthener.)
Celine Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Super-Short Hems
Molly Goddard Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Super-Short Hems
Prada Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Super-Short Hems
Saint Laurent Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Super-Short Hems
Ermanno Scervino Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Netting
While we’re on the subject of figure-flaunting frocks, net dresses were another Spring 2019 standout. The lovechild of the sheer dress and all-artisanal-everything trends, these diamond-patterned pieces can be worn with naught but underwear or layered over virtually any outfit to add instant oomph.
Louis Vuitton Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Netting
Chloé Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Netting
Ports 1961 Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Netting
Calcaterra Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Netting
J.W. Anderson Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Sparkle and Shine
“Sequins reflect optimism,” Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, the designers behind Monse and Oscar de la Renta, once said. Well, if that's true, given the uncertainty in the news as of late, we're in need of all the glitter. And for Spring 2019, Ashish, Marc Jacobs, Altuzarra, Dries Van Noten and many, many more delivered. Hope you didn’t delete your KiraKira+ app.
Marc Jacobs Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Sparkle and Shine
Altuzarra Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Sparkle and Shine
Ashish Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Sparkle and Shine
Christopher Kane Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Sparkle and Shine
Dries Van Noten Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Statement Raincoats
The days of choosing between fashion and function are over. In a month where there was nearly as much rain as there was shine, designers sent every type of raincoat imaginable down the runways. Expect to see clear PVC coats covered in Magic Marker-type squiggles, bright yellow raincoats with flouncy A-line hems and lots of trusty trench silhouettes braving their way through next April’s showers.
Moschino Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Statement Raincoats
Gareth Pugh Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Statement Raincoats
Daks Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Statement Raincoats
Mugler Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Statement Raincoats
Agnona Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Glam Utilitarian
Not long ago it would have been inconceivable that pastel-pink utility overalls would show up on an Alberta Ferretti runway. But no more. Glam-leisure has given way to glam-utilitarianism, and labels that know what’s good for them (the aforementioned Ferretti, Sacai, Christian Dior, Givenchy, and Stella McCartney, to name a few) are making pants with extra-large cargo pockets, Gorpcore-approved fishing vests, military-inspired miniskirts, et. al. Take a page from Clare Waight Keller’s playbook and pair cropped olive trousers with an extra-long cloth belt, tailored black blazer and point-toe pumps. So chic.
Givenchy Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Glam Utilitarian
Sacai Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Glam Utilitarian
Christian Dior Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Glam Utilitarian
Alberta Ferretti Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Glam Utilitarian
Stella McCartney Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Logomania
This is the trend that never ends. Come spring, Fendi’s logo-print Perspex jacket and Chanel's knit set will be the It-items to have. Among the streetwear set, expect the Pyer Moss x Fubu collab and pieces from Lacoste’s jaw-dropping rebrand to #trend. (Side note: The lookbook is chock-full of genius layering tricks.)
Pyer Moss Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Logomania
Lacoste Spring 2019; Image: Courtesy of Lacoste/Vogue
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Logomania
House of Holland Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Logomania
Chanel Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Logomania
Balenciaga Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Bleached Denim
After years of being a punch line, acid-wash denim is actually back. (Blame Alessandro Michele, who got the ball rolling when he sent tie-dye jeans down Gucci’s London catwalk during Resort 2017.) This season, it showed up everywhere from Y/Project to Celine to MSGM to Christian Dior. Isabel Marant even did bleach-speckled boots, which we fully expect to see on Rihanna any day now.
Isabel Marant Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Bleached Denim
Balmain Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Bleached Denim
Y/Project Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Bleached Denim
Marques'Almeida Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Bleached Denim
MSGM Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Bike Shorts
Bike shorts were everywhere this summer — so much so that you’d think the trend was certifiably dead. But no, far from it. Welcome to the new age of fashion, where popular opinion (a.k.a. Instagram ubiquity) dictates what’s on the runways, not the other way around. To stave off boredom, wear yours with sculptural toppers in unexpected materials (leather, PVC, collaged Nike tube socks) come spring.
Fendi Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Bike Shorts
Off-White Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Bike Shorts
Acne Studios Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Bike Shorts
Jacquemus Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Bike Shorts
Roberto Cavalli Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Bold Colors
Another trend equally popular in the streets and on the runways: bold, mood-boosting brights. Valentino, David Koma, Akris, Rochas and more dialed up the color to 100 (imagine that figure in red, italicized, with a diagonal underscore), opting for fabrics in Pepto pink, tangy tangerine, electric green, vibrant cherry, acidic yellow, etc. The general sentiment? Wear them head-to-toe or not at all, and prepare for lots of IRL and virtual attention, should you Insta-document the occasion. Color = clickbait.
Rochas Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Bold Colors
David Koma Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Bold Colors
Valentino Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Bold Colors
Blumarine Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Bold Colors
Akris Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Head-to-Toe Neutrals
That said, a second school of designers — Burberry, Maison Margiela, Chloé, Uma Wang, Tom Ford, Ann Demeulemeester, Jil Sander — went the opposite route, favoring a cleansing, soothing palette of head-to-toe neutrals (beige, off-white, coffee, caramel). Textural details like ribbed knit, ruffles, lace trim, pleating, leather harnesses, nylon headscarves and face-obscuring veils (a major Spring 2019 microtrend) added interest and excitement. Several of the looks felt very old Céline.
Maison Margiela Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Head-to-Toe Neutrals
Ann Demeulemeester Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Head-to-Toe Neutrals
Jil Sander Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Head-to-Toe Neutrals
Tom Ford Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Head-to-Toe Neutrals
Uma Wang Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Polka Dots
Women are hungry for a new kind of femininity. (Perhaps its because they’re tired of having their bodies policed by political entities made up largely of men?) This, we think, explains the continued reign of the once-wholesome polka dot. At Dolce & Gabbana, the timeless motif showed up on PJs, tuxes and sexy, 50s-inspired dresses. At Burberry, a sheer polka dot midi dress came paired with boy shorts and nothing else. Max Mara did cool, dotted, colorblocked suiting; Andrew Gn riffed on the pattern’s twee-ness with an asymmetric-hem frock with heavily exaggerated ruffles.
Andrew Gn Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Polka Dots
Burberry Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Polka Dots
Max Mara Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Polka Dots
Prada Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Polka Dots
Shiatzy Chen Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Prints on Prints on Prints
For Spring 2019, designers set about convincing us that when it comes to print, more is more. Some looks (like the contrasting floral patterns at Paco Rabanne and Etro) leaned more boho, some (like the art-splattered pieces at Marni and Matty Bovan) more abstract. Overall, the general styling rule was this: The more graphic the prints, the better.
Thom Browne Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Prints on Prints on Prints
Etro Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Prints on Prints on Prints
Marni Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Prints on Prints on Prints
Matty Bovan Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
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Prints on Prints on Prints
Paco Rabanne Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
