Fall into Fashion: Fall Trends 2023
As the leaves turn orange and the air turns crisp, let's get ready for Fall fashion and look at the trends that will be dictating wardrobes in 2023.
Red Revival:
Figure 1: Valentino 2023, Alberta Ferretta WF2023, Prada Milan Fashion Week WF2023
From London to New York, the runway has suffered a takeover of cherry and chili reds making its debut, in collections presented by renowned fashion houses such as Prada and Sandy Liang. Throughout history, the color red has been emblematic of themes such as royalty, authority, and intense emotion, particularly passion.
But let's add some science into the equation. Red, it turns out, is more than just a color; it's a master of romance and sensuality, resonating with a remarkable 68% of people as the embodiment of love. The psychology behind red even goes as far as to say that for those embarking on the journey of dating, wearing red attire may be your secret weapon to secure that coveted first date, as opposed to brown which was placed at the opposite end of the spectrum. A further intriguing twist – even sports judges seem to be enchanted by red, frequently awarding higher scores to athletes in red.
So, what's the significance of the red resurgence in the fashion world? In my estimation, it signals a departure from the mundane; it acts as a declaration that we're ready to step into the limelight and make a fashion statement impossible to ignore.
Workwear Classics:
Figure 2: Saint Laurent, Fendi, Tom Ford Milan Fashion Week 2023
Corporate Couture is back! Traditional tailoring is being reinterpreted across runways with a modern twist. We can see designers taking a gender-fluid approach to tailoring with a baggier fit and boxy shoulder structure. These fashion houses are embracing diversity and empowering individuals to express themselves with designs that challenge traditional expectations. We should expect to see a lot of pinstripe and bold colors flood the streets very soon.
The Return of Mary Janes:
Figure 3: Emilia Wickstead SS23, Bally SS23, Prada FW23
From schoolyards to sidewalks, Mary Janes are the ‘it’ shoe of 2023. We can draw back to this feeling of feminine nostalgia as we see more and more variations of these ballet-esque shoes.
Credit for the resurgence of the 'indie sleaze' trend last Fall can be attributed to fashion influencer Alexa Chung, a devoted enthusiast of Mary Janes. These shoes are versatile to style and can be paired with jeans, skirts or dresses to elevate any look and transform it from basic to beatnik. So say goodbye to sneakers and hello to Mary Jane!
Big on Bows:
Figure 4: Draped bow bags at Sandy Liang’s SS24 show Credit: Maya Spangl
Bows are the embodiment of light femininity and have been storming social media since the beginning of the year. The return of bows has insinuated a feeling of nostalgia amongst girls as we reflect on an era of innocence that often escapes our notice until it has passed. The meaning of the ‘bow’ has been influential throughout fashion history, we can look to the influence of early Christian Dior and their Parisian and romantic looks in the early 50s. But as we return in time to celebrate this playful girlishness and ‘coquette’ aesthetic, keep your eye out for bows in bags, braids and bustiers this Fall!
Get ready for Gothic!
Figure 5: Roberto Cavalli FW2023, Annie’s Ibiza show FW2023, Max Mara FW2023
A dark romantic aesthetic has emerged as a dominant trend this Fall, casting a vampiric allure and setting the stage perfectly for Halloween… It's all about lace, leather and layers. Rodarte and The Vampire’s Wife have often taken inspiration from the Victorian era and incorporated them into their looks and have now seemed to set the example for fashion institutes such as Cavalli and Max Mara. From the shadows to style, gothic influence is a perfect way to express yourself this Fall!
As the autumn leaves fall, these 2023 trends have risen to the occasion, leaving us with much creativity and self-expression to have fun with this year!