Fashion

AW16’s biggest runway trends to look out for

The only top 10 list you need to know of

30.03.2016

By Wei Yeen Loh

AW16’s biggest runway trends to look out for

 

Modern biker babes

AW16 saw a new way of bringing an edgy sentiment to the table. Leather jackets were rife yet unpredictably worn and/or designed: Coach 1941 gaves us a leather jacket with stitched-on badges; Gucci had leather on leather – and so did Louis Vuitton but with a tougher notion, and Rodarte went down the unpredictable route by giving us leather teemed with layers of frills.

 

Brocade fit for a queen

It’s no surprise that brocade is always trending for Autumn/Winter, but designers made it clear that this rich silk fabric can be worn for all occasions this AW16, whether as a sleek balloon-sleeve top (Burberry), an eye-catching trenchcoat (Dior), an evening cocktail dress (Marchesa), or even paired as statement-making separates (Monique Lhuillier).

 

A plethora of plaid

Just about the only print that’s worthy to wear during the colder season, plaids were given major attention on the runways. Mix and match a variety of plaid and checked prints together such as Calvin Klein Collection and Ralph Lauren, or keep it simple yet contemporary like Isabel Marant’s zip-front plaid top and Victoria Beckham’s frock.

 

Daytime waist-cinchers

We can’t begin to express how much we’re digging the emergence of corsets and bustiers on the runways. Whether for a risqué touch or an hourglass-figure effect, a corset is our new favourite way of accessorising your ensemble. Balmain delivered a more traditional corset getup in monotone, Loewe had futuristic waist-cinching bustiers, whereas Prada and Tome made use of lace-up deets in reinvented corsets.

 

Supersized shoulders

Shoulders were given an unusual treatment compared to last season (where cold-shoulder tops reigned). This time it was upsized and given exaggerated shapes that were more rugby player than Joan Collins in Dynasty. Dolce&Gabbana did the unpredictable by padding up a fairy-tale tinsel frock, Jacquemus and Kenzo stuffed the shoulders on turtlenecks and cropped jackets respectively, whereas Slimane’s swan song collection for Saint Laurent saw a heart-shaped fur jacket as the closing look. 

 

Unusually long sleeves

The phrase ‘the longer the better’ has never been this apt to describe this. It might strike some as a rather baffling trend, but extra-long sleeves can keep your hands toasty when it’s cold out. Try out longer cuffs spotted at Céline and JW Anderson, or make a statement in printed wide sleeves such as Marques ‘ Almeida. And if you’re really chilly, Michael Kors’s extra-long sleeved sweater might come in handy.

 

All puffed up

You might have already spot this earlier on, but the puffer jacket has been reinterpreted in various ways this time around, some almost borderlining duvets that looked as though models had just rolled out of bed to the runway. Which of these outrageously fun jackets from Balenciaga, Chanel, DKNY and Alexander McQueen do you prefer?

 

Velvety smooth

Velvet too, had a field day this AW16, but it was the head-to-toe velvet looks that caught our attention—velvet separates can’t quite cut it, in our opinions. Channel your best #BossGirl look with Bottega Veneta’s deep purple coat and pants or go for a floral number from Fendi on your weekends. Otherwise, you can always stick to luxe hues such as forest green and marigold from Haider Ackermann and Valentino respectively.

 

Sky-high soles

This season, we saw a slew of platform shoes that even Ziggy Stardust would approve. Nothing was a more fitting tribute to the late David Bowie, if you asked us. Maison Margiela combined a few elements in one platform loafer, from tortoiseshell print to a curved wooden block heel and gold chainlink details, but Marc Jacobs gave us plenty of drama with teetering platform boots. On the other hand, Rochas and Vivienne Westwood ensured that you can still wear platform heels and sandals in fall/winter thanks to comfy socks.

 

Bringing 90s back with chokers

Just about the (only) trend we’re loving from the 90s, chokers these days are more high-fashion than emo-goth. Take a cue from Oscar de la Renta on accessorising a girly dress, or make a minimalist statement with a pearled choker spotted at Dries Van Noten. Alexander Wang perhaps did the best reinvention of the 90s choker for present day, and lastly, Chanel teaches us how to always look stylish with a multi-strand pearl choker in tow.

 

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