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Michael Kors silk-and-wool black jacquard coat with faux-fur collar, $3,995. Saks Fifth Avenue. Photograph by Kevin A. Roberts
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Rungolee Fillipa top, $189. Lusso. Donna Karan Body ivory wide-leg pant, $795. Saks Fifth Avenue. Photograph by Kevin A. Roberts
One of the biggest trends of the spring—exaggerated shapes and volume—will continue this fall. The designs aren’t oversized and comically baggy; instead they’re sculptural, intentional, and sometimes minimal. Think ease and comfort, letting you move your arms and legs while still emphasizing the body.
Look for elongated tunics over narrow pants, maxi dresses with a ’70s vibe, and fitted trousers that flare into a trumpet shape. Coats and jackets will have pleasingly full shapes, and dresses will have oval skirts and tulip-shaped bells. As for the hues, they’ll run from bright colors and stark whites to creams, burnished neutrals, warm browns, pale pinks, and deep colors.
Designer Rosie Assoulin won the fashion world’s heart earlier this year with her designs’ dramatic shapes: off-the-shoulder blousons, drapey blouses, wide fluid culottes, and flowing gowns. Vika Gazinskaya followed suit, with ruffled, cropped-to-the-waist tops adorned with huge bows at the shoulder. And Hervé Leger showed a blue-and-white dress with an elongated bell-shaped skirt.
Locally, Rungolee offers a gorgeous trapeze-shaped tunic. A subtle oval coat from Michael Kors has a faux-fur collar and enough room for freedom, though it’s tapered at the bottom to create the perfect shape.
Donna Karan Body’s knit palazzo pants are comfortable, with a fitted waist and hips but gently flaring legs. Derek Lam’s 10 Crosby line at Neiman Marcus includes wonderful tunics and tops with highly constructed shapes that fit snugly under the arms, perfect for pairing with lean trousers. And you’ll find cozy, lightweight sweaters in elongated, flowing shapes that cling to the body but feel like a bathrobe. As fall approaches, there’s no shortage of comfortable options that will be perfect for making the transition from summer sunshine to autumn leaves.
