Fall 2015 Best-Of

While the major Spring 2015 fashion weeks are just barely wrapping up, it's hard to think about these styles when the weather here in NY is just starting to get crisp and ready for fall... And since fall is our favorite time of year, we're going to take this opportunity to look back at some of our favorites from the Fall 2014 RTW shows that took place earlier this year.

1. Most wearable: Adeam. We love everything about this; the feminine sihouette of the skirt done in a masculine fabrication, paired with a big trend for fall -- school girl blouses buttoned all the way to the top -- topped off and softened up with a fur jacket.

2. Best every day dress: Peter Jensen. We love this simple and classic silhouette with such a playful pattern that calls to mind Charlie Brown's iconic shirt.

3. Best going out outfit: Dion Lee. Fun and revealing without being too revealing.

4. Best alternative for a cocktail dress: Camilla and Marc

5. Best gown: While caftans were huge for summer, we still love them going into fall, especially with this luxe fabrication and rich color.

6. Best top: A.W.A.K.E. The color, the fabric, the fit, and the feathers. It's all perfection.

7. Best sweater: Barbara Bui. The over-sized cable knit and exaggerated proportions make this preppy staple fun, relevant, and modern.

8. Best pants: Jonathan Simkhai. Just such a great silhouette overall.

9. Best skirt: Rebecca Taylor. This quilted zip up mini is basically the epitome of this season.

10. Best outerwear: Agnona. The wave motif, black and navy combo, and oversized proportions are all big trends for fall.

Peer Into Our Crystal Ball; Our Top Ten Trend Predictions for 2014

While most people think of the new year as an opportunity to get organized, when it comes to fashion, this idea has flown out the window. This year, the biggest trends are at such extreme ends of the spectrum, we're getting a case of whiplash. We'll get more in depth with each of these trends later on this year, but for now, check out our list of top ten trend predictions (in no particular order) for 2014.

1. Pastels



See the rest of our picks after the jump.

Runway Trend: Chroma-Coats

As New Yorkers, it's hard to imagine a winter spent in anything other than black. Afterall, the slush, dirty snow, cramped subway cars, and other recipes for messes make it hard to maintain anything brighter than charcoal. But when the majority of designers showed colorful outerwear, it was hard to not take notice of what is definitely a major trend.

1st row: Cotoo, Carven, Malene Birger, Anna Sui, Carven, Burberry Prorsum, Yigal Azrouel, Catherine Malandrino

2nd row: Christian Dior, Apiece Apart, Anja Gockel, Bibhu Mohapatra, Betsey Johnson, Antonio Marras, Chado Ralph Rucci, Rochas, Chado Ralph Rucci

3rd row: Rag & Bone, Celine, Calvin Klein, Chadwick Bell, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Burberry Prorsum, Calvin Klein, Christopher Raeburn, Rochas  

4th row: Carven, Back, Camilla and Marc, Araks, Surface to Air, Chloe, Chado Ralph Rucci

Runway Trend: Quilted Northern

Our "Quilted Northern" trend features two concepts; (1) quilting in non-traditional fabrications such as metallics and leather, and (2) quilting in unexpected silhouettes such as skirts and pants. This trend is sort of a new birth, in that it hasn't evolved from any previous trends, but we do see it evolving for spring next year when the term "quilting" becomes more liberal with a combination of padded quilting AND patchwork. Stay tuned early next year for that trend, we're calling it "Fresh Gypsy"!

(first row: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Anna Sui, Awake by Natalia Alaverdian, Banana Republic, Betsey Johnson,
second row: by Malene Birger, Catherine Malandrino, Chado Ralph Rucci, Chanel, Christopher Raeburn, 
third row: Creatures of Comfort, L'wren Scott, Norma Kamali, Rag & Bone, Rebecca Minkoff)

Runway Trend: Hitchcock Housewives

This week, we're covering a trend we're calling Hitchcock Housewives. These looks are heavily influenced by 50s silhouettes, but with a slightly dark or sinister vibe. Think Dior's New Look in lots of black leather, and dark colors, with classy ladylike gloves that make us wonder if you're fashionable or  just trying to not leave fingerprints behind.

(L to R: A Degree Fahrenheit, ALC, Antonio Marras, APC, Aquilano, Band of Outsiders, Billy Reid, Carolina Herrera, Chado Ralph Rucci, Christian Dior, Co, Collette Dinnigan, Lanvin, Oscar de la Renta, Prada, Rachel Comey, Rochas) 

Well Suited: Fall Suits for Women from the Runways

For fall, the well suited trend gets updated to include heavier fabrics and darker patterns. They take on a more modern feel with prints and metallic fabrication, though our favorite "fun" look is still a short suit paired with tights.

(L-R: Banana Republic, Beautiful People, Behnaz Sarafpour,  Blumarine, Dsquared, Kate Spade, By Malene, Calla, Camilla and Marc, Carolina Herrera, Libertine, Norma Kamali, Chado Ralph Rucci, Christina Siriano, Dolce and Gabana, Dries Van Noten, Oscar de la Renta, Sachin + Babi)

Runway trend: Botany of Desire

L-R: Antonio Marras, Araisara, Alice + Olivia, Carolina Herrera, Araks, Araisara, Givenchy, and Billy Reid

Not Your Mother's Leopard; Animal Prints Get Wild for Fall

We've long loved leopard as a neutral, pairing it with outfits the same way other people pair things with blue denim, black flats, or khaki rain coats. While we love leopard as much as the next, our constant use of it meant it was loosing a little of its je ne sais quo, so we were thrilled to see so many designers branching out into other forms of animal prints. 

This fall, we're seeing everything from giraffe to snake, alligator to, well, "fur print", and we're loving every last bit of it. 

L-R: Carin Wester, Burberry Prorsum, Rachel Comey, A Détacher, Antonio Berardi, Carven, Cotoo, and Burberry Prorsum again

Modest Proposal - The Antithesis to This Summer's Cutouts and Crop Tops

If you're tired of this summer's body flaunting cutout and crop top trends, then this upcoming trend in modesty is for you.

We'll start our coverage (no pun intended) with these runway looks.

(L-R: Alberta Ferreti, Alessandra Rich, Carolina Herrera, Co, Preen, Rochas, Smoarta, St John)

Just in Time for This Heat Wave: SUITS!

It's hard to think about wearing anything other than, well, nothing, in this heat wave, but as they say, "the show must go on!"

(l-r: Rachel Comey, Tucker, Tory Burch)

Punk's Not Dead!

More than a smattering of designers showed looks influenced by punk at the FW13 shows. In looks ranging from direct interpretations to subtle influences, we've pulled together a sample of what we saw.

The more literal looks:

(Versace, Anne Sofie Madsen, and two looks from Anna Sui)

Influence on Jackets and Vests:

(1 Piu 1 Uguale, Rachel Comey, Rodarte, Surface to Air)

Some Softer, More Feminine Looks

(Araisa, Alice + Olivia, and three from Moschino Cheap and Chic)

The Grunge end of the Spectrum

(Three from Saint Laurent, Rodarte, and Rebecca Minkoff)

Leather and Bondage

(1 Piu 1 Uguale, Fendi, Saint Laurent, Chanel, and Tess Giberson)

Subtler Influences

(Cheap Monday, Christopher Kane, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Fendi, and ALC)

Punk Staples: Leopard and Plaid

(Givenchy, Three from Moschino Cheap and Chic, and Preen by Thornton Bregazzi)

images courtesy style.com

Current Trend: Cutouts (runway inspiration)

(kenzo, rachel comey, carven)