Top trend takeaways from NYFW

The second New York Fashion Week (NYFW) of 2017 drew to a close this past Wednesday with Marc Jacobs’ Spring 2018 show, where the brand’s tropical yet textile-heavy collection made an impact. While it was by no means the most adventurous collection of NYFW, Marc Jacobs S/S highlighted and played with some central trends that were on display throughout the rest of the week, from vibrant hues to exaggerated silhouettes and redefined femininity. As London Fashion Week kicks off and tumbles into Milan and Paris to come, let’s take a look back at the biggest trends of NYFW that will be creeping their way onto the red carpet and into our wardrobes in no time.

Yellow, yellow and more yellow

The sunny hue lit up nearly every runway last week on gowns, shoes and jackets. Rather than the mustard, ’70s-inspired shades we’ve seen for recent fall/winter collections, canary yellows are center stage for spring. At Naeem Khan, yellow tulle and satin were used to construct both accent details (floral embroidery, wrap heels) and entire gowns. At Marc Jacobs, an oversized, soft yellow rain jacket was layered over a sparkling turquoise gown and an exaggerated turtleneck for a striking volume-play look. Christian Siriano and Tom Ford each had bright yellow gowns on display, and at Prabal Gurung, more casual pieces like a playful yellow accordion skirt and oversized canary knit sweater made appearances.

If wearing yellow strikes fear into your heart, don’t fret — there are plenty of ways to work the season’s hue into your wardrobe without looking like a school bus. The softer, pure yellows we’re seeing now are friendlier to all skin tones than neon and mustard shades, so you won’t look washed out or sickly. If you’re still not interested in trying a full yellow dress, suit or sweater, accent pieces like shoes and handbags can do the work for you, transforming your look with just one shade.

Glitter, but refined

If yellow isn't over-the-top enough for you, try the glitz and glam of glitter and shimmery fabrics. Oscar de la Renta’s collection featured numerous gowns with thick layers of jewel-toned glitter dripping down their bodices. Tom Ford interpreted this heavy-metal top style for the office professional with two-toned glitter tops featuring long sleeves and slight turtlenecks. Even the embroidery-reliant Naeem Khan walked a model in a shimmery, art-deco silver gown.

Most people either love or absolutely hate glitter, but NYFW urges us to consider its applications outside of prom dresses, club heels and Gossip Girl headbands. Strong metallic glitz can be as interesting and assertive as a well-tailored suit, so use these collections as inspiration when crafting your next look for a night on the town or an important meeting at work. These shimmering fabrics and add-ons will undoubtedly be making the rounds come next season.

Florals? For spring?

To paraphrase Miranda Priestly, there’s nothing groundbreaking about wearing florals when the weather gets warmer. But NYFW has shown us that there's still room for interpretation when it comes to the iconic and feminine pattern. Christian Siriano’s collection featured painterly, colorful florals — think pink rosebuds and blooming wildflowers — seemingly floating on shimmery and sheer fabrics that made up both suits and gowns. Jason Wu’s florals were smaller and busier and paired with competing patterns in black and white. At Naeem Khan, the smallest and most delicate tulle flowers covered entire gowns in shades of red, yellow and green.

Florals may seem friendlier than glitter and bright hues, but they can still be experimental. Try mixing patterns of similar density — two pinpoint-style florals or two large, watercolor-style patterns — to create a look both romantic and contemporary.

Big hair and headwear

Fashion weeks of late have been replete with the iconic, sleek chignons and low ponytails with minimal to no accessories. This year, however, designers and stylists are drawing attention to the head with more voluminous styles and headwear. At Marc Jacobs, every model had their hair completely covered with silk wrap-style turbans in shades of burnt orange, turquoise and black. Marchesa’s models were styled with highly textured and natural hair, and Delpozo’s models all wore woven wicker-style bows and headbands. Naeem Khan even brought the flower crown back with a more sophisticated interpretation.

If you’re someone (like this writer) who tends to do nothing with their hair and rarely wears head accessories, more power to you. But fashion is turning towards embracing natural texture and having fun with playful accessories for the first time in a while. Next time you’re considering a look, don’t rule out making a statement from head to toe.