The sun is still hitting us with intense UV rays, and it feels as though high summer will not leave any time soon. However, the fashion world has already moved on to the next season, and we, as good fashionistas, follow their lead and bring you the trends from the autumn and winter 2023/2024 (AW 2023/2024) collections.
With the pandemic far behind us, this round of fashion weeks marked the return of full normality at these events. Buyers were back eager to stock up, and all brands resumed physical shows with crowds attending the presentations.
Despite still seeing a lot of collections dedicated to daily wear, the approach was way less casual, and stay-at-home extra comfy clothes were not widely spotted – forget jogging suits and puffer jackets. The pieces have been elevated, focusing on beautiful creations and high-quality materials with a couture touch. There were some pops of colour, with pink, yellow and red dominating the vivid shades. However, most fashion houses opted for neutral tones, predominantly grey and beige. The women’s ready-to-wear collections for AW 2023/2024 highlight a resilient and powerful woman who borrows key elements from men’s wardrobes, such as tailored pieces and ties. She is discreet but sophisticated, emanating luxuriously elegant vibes. It’s time to conquer the world in your best outfit!
Vintage VOYAGE
DURING THE 1940s, CLOTHES HAD A UTILITARIAN FEEL DUE TO THE WAR. SQUARE SHOULDERS, NARROW WAISTS AND TAILORED SKIRTS JUST BELOW THE KNEE WERE POPULAR ITEMS. IT WAS THE PERIOD IN WHICH CHRISTIAN DIOR CREATED THE ICONIC NEW LOOK WITH FULL SKIRTS AND WAIST-CINCHING JACKETS. THIS SEASON, THE TAKE IS A BIT MORE CONTEMPORARY BUT STILL SHOWS THE AUSTERE VIBE OF THE TIME WITH A TOUCH OF FEMININITY.
Hear Me ROAR
THE ANIMAL KINGDOM FREQUENTLY INFLUENCES THE FASHION INDUSTRY, AND ANIMAL PRINTS COVER MANY CREATIONS, FROM CLOTHING ITEMS TO ACCESSORIES. HOWEVER, EVERY SEASON ONE OR THE OTHER BEAST STANDS OUT – THIS TIME, CHEETAH PATTERNS ARE THE ONES TO LOOK FOR.
Count Your BUTTONS
BUTTONS ARE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS IN CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES AS THEY CONNECT LOOSE ENDS. HOWEVER, THEIR ORIGINAL PURPOSE WAS AS AN ORNAMENTAL EMBELLISHMENT. TODAY DESIGNERS COMBINE FUNCTION WITH DÉCOR, AND WE END UP WITH EYE-CATCHING, FUNCTIONAL PIECES.
Caped CRUSADER
AS IN THE SAYING: NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES… BUT STYLISH GIRLS DO! WE KNOW THAT’S NOT AN ACCURATE VERSION OF THE EXPRESSION, BUT AUTUMN AND WINTER COLLECTIONS HAVE BEEN FLOODED WITH THIS KIND OF WARMER, AND WE, AS FASHION LOVERS, EMBRACE THEM WITH PLEASURE. THEY COME AS A FULL-ON CAPES OR, IN SHORTER VERSIONS, A LA LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD.
Flower POWER
THIS BELOVED SPRING TREND ENTERS THE COLD SEASON WITH A TWIST: DARK BACKGROUNDS. ONE OF THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCES IN FLOWER PATTERNS DURING WARM AND COLD SEASONS IS THE USUAL BLACK BASE ON WHICH THE FLOWERS ARE PRINTED. VIVID BLOOMS AND ABSTRACT MOTIFS STAND OUT IN DARKENED FABRICS CREATING A DRAMATIC EFFECT.
Fluffy FEELS
EXTRA VOLUME IS CONQUERED WITH STRATEGICALLY PLACED SOFT MATERIALS SUCH AS FAKE FEATHERS AND FUR. SOME PIECES SEEMED INSPIRED BY POODLE DOGS, WHILE OTHERS RESEMBLED SHEEP’S CLOTHING. NO MATTER WHICH ANIMAL YOU INTEND TO CARRY AROUND, IT’S ALL ABOUT FLUFFINESS, WARMTH AND EYE-CATCHING DETAILS.
Colourful TOUCH
EMBRACE A PRECIOUS VIBE BY ADDING VIBRANT GEMS TO YOUR OUTFITS. THEY COME STITCHED ON TOPS, DRESSES AND ACCESSORIES OR, AS IN SPORTMAX, THE 3D EMBELLISHMENTS ARE REPLACED BY FLASHY GEMS PRINTED ON THEIR PIECES. THE BEJEWELLED ITEMS CAN ADD EXTRA OOMPH TO YOUR BASIC WARDROBE OR BE THE FOCAL POINT OF AN ELEGANT LOOK.
Woven WOOL
KNITWEAR IS THE COLD-SEASON VERSION OF CROCHET. IT IS USUALLY USED IN SWEATERS AND JUMPERS, BUT LATELY, IT HAS BEEN COVERING BASICALLY EVERYTHING. NOWADAYS, YOU CAN SPOT KNITTED DRESSES, TROUSERS AND EVEN HANDBAGS. IF YOU WANT TO PLAY SAFE, SCARVES AND TOPS ARE A GOOD WAY TO ADOPT THE TREND.
Symbol of COOLNESS
LEATHER IS ANOTHER WINTER STAPLE. THIS YEAR, OPT FOR COLOURFUL OPTIONS – FORGET BLACK AND GO FOR GREY, PURPLE AND GREEN. THE MATERIAL SCREAMS COLD SEASON OUT LOUD AND ADDS THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF DRAMA, MYSTERY AND PASSION TO YOUR OUTFITS. LOOK FOR FAUX LEATHER IF YOU WANT TO THINK MORE SUSTAINABLY; TECHNOLOGY HAS MADE SOME OF THESE MATERIALS LOOK AND FEEL BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL.
Neck PIECES
NECKTIES ARE BIG THIS SEASON, WITH MANY BRANDS SHIFTING THIS MASCULINE ITEM INTO THE FEMININE WARDROBE. IN LADIES’ OUTFITS, THEY ARE TRANSFORMED AND WHILE SOME LABELS KEPT THE TRADITIONAL TIE STYLE, OTHERS MADE THEM INTO A BOW OR ADDED SEQUINS FOR A GIRLY TOUCH.
Tux EFFECT
STILL INFLUENCED BY THE MASCULINE WARDROBE, THE TUXEDO ADDS A TOUCH OF SOPHISTICATION WHILE ALSO UNDERGOING SOME TRANSFORMATION. THE CLASSIC MEN’S ITEM BECOMES SHORTER OR SUPER LONG IN THE FEMININE VERSION. IT ALSO LOSES THE JACKET STATUS WHEN IT BECOMES A HALTER TOP IN MAX MARA’S COLLECTION. SUIT IT UP, AND HAVE FUN WITH YOUR STYLE!
Skirts + PANTS
ONE OF THE SEASON’S HOTTEST TRENDS IS LAYERING SKIRTS ON TOP OF TROUSERS. THE CONCEPT CAN SEEM A BIT BULKY, BUT IT CAN LOOK QUITE EDGY IF DONE CORRECTLY. THE IDEA CAN ALSO BE ACHIEVED BY WEARING KNEE-HIGH BOOTS WITH SKIRTS OR DRESSES IN THE SAME COLOUR OR EXTRA FABRIC ON THE WAIST AREA FALLING ON TOP OF THE TROUSERS, LIKE A FLAP.
