Fall/Winter 2017 Runway Trends

If I've said it once, I've said it a million times: Runway fashion may be made for the rich, but the inspiration it provides is for everyone. Last year, I wrote about 4 of my favorite FW runway trends; this year, I doubled it and wrote about 8.

Bell Sleeves

Photos via: Fashion and style, Tadashi Shoji, Nanette Lepore, Carven, Andrew GN, Vanessa Jackman, Alexander Wang, and Atlantic-Pacific 

I'm so excited to wear this trend! I've been looking for a bell sleeve top for nearly a year now, and seeing them on the runway means they're about to become more accessible. This trend is everything shoulder pads wanted to be: They add a unique touch to an otherwise simple top by bringing the volume, no matter how big or small.

Belted 

Photos via: Alexander McQueen, Luisa Beccaria, Au Jour Le Jour, Vanessa Jackman, palmer/ /harding, Ohh Couture, Stories and Me, and Chronicles of Her

Does anyone else ever feel like they're drowning in layers? If so, this is a trend you need to try. Show off your figure without having to sacrifice your warmth by simply adding a belt to your outfit.

Grid Print

Photos via: Cara Loren, Rahul Mishra, Robert Rodriguez, Atlantic-Pacific, Paul Smith, Marques ' Almeida, Broke & Fabulous, and Maison Kitsuné

I've seen this print described as grid print, check print, and windowpane print. Whatever it is, it's pretty rad. It's the modern dresser's answer to plaid, but simple enough to be worn with other patterns (the runways made a pretty compelling argument for pairing it with floral).

Feminism

Photos via: Wendy Nichol, Christian Siriano, The Fashion Medley, Creatures of Comfort, Writes Like A Girl, The Blonde Salad, Talbot Runhof, Ashish, and Ashley Williams

The fashion industry has always been strangely straddling the line on liberal issues. On the one hand, celebrities tend to be liberal, and their fashion tends to reflect that. On the other hand, many designers still rely on mistreated workers to manufacture their clothing, a practice which flies in the face of the liberal call for wage and working condition reform. Regardless, seeing the call for activism walk down the runway was thrilling. Many have criticized companies for capitalizing on feminism, or for using the current popularity of feminism to sell things that don't actually contribute to feminist issues under the guise of feminism. So, if you choose to rock this trend, I'd advise that you research where your "feminist" gear is coming from. The shirt that rocked the runway at Christian Siriano, for instance, donated 100% of profits to the ACLU; meanwhile, stores like Forever 21 sell items emblazoned with the word "feminist" with no promise to donate proceeds or reform their horrible labor practices.

Bell Bottoms

Photos via: Frame, Dash of Darling, Maggie Marilyn, The Style of Lucia, House of Holland, Beaufille, FASHIIONCARPET, and Song of Style

Anyone who knows me knows I don't like wearing pants. I only recently started wearing them regularly, and only because they're one of the easiest work-appropriate pieces to wear in the winter. If all pants were this much fun, though, I'd totally wear pants more often.

Floral Embroidered

Photos via: Adam Selman, Broke & Fabulous, Emporio Armani, Nicole Miller, Dolce & Gabbana, Tuula, Vivetta, Kate Spade New York, and Mash Elle

Y'all already know how I feel about embroidery, so I'm not going to reiterate it here. In short, this is the best way to take florals to the next level.

Tie-Neck

Photos via: Grace + Beauty, Temperley London, Carolina Herrera, Lanvin, Zuhair Murad, and Damsel in Dior

We've seen many variations of the tie-neck trend throughout the years, but the thin ribbon variation is my favorite right now. It's like a combination between a necklace and a tie.

Yellow Floral

Photos via: Blumarine, The VivaLuxury, Girl With Curves, The Londoner, Retro Sonja, Merrick's Art, Erika Cavallini, and A Détacher

Another year, another color floral walks the runway. As an avid lover of all things floral, I'm grateful for this trend, as it's an excuse for me to buy another floral sundress.