More often than not, runways are a place for designers to showcase their most showstopping pieces—either their prettiest of the season or their most shocking. But lately, the over-the-top looks from fashion month aren’t what’s got the fashion crowd talking. Rather, spring 2023’s pared-down basics were bookmarked the most, with brands such as The Row, Peter Do, Tibi, and Ferragamo (all of which specialize in an elevated, minimalist aesthetic) making the biggest splash.
This, of course, is cause for celebration for anyone who likes to get started on trends right when they debut on the runway rather than waiting all the way until the following season when they arrive in stores. Things like T-shirts, blazers, leggings, and button-downs already live in our wardrobes, and if they don’t, additions are ridiculously easy and affordable to purchase. All you need from fashion month is inspiration on how to style them in fresh ways.
Ahead, find everything you need to check off spring 2023’s top trend immediately.
For such a simple, classic piece, white button-down shirts have made quite the impression over the last year, quickly surpassing most other basics as the piece to own at least five of, one of which must be from The Frankie Shop. For spring, designers made them even more covetable, styling them oversize with A-line skirts and leather trousers or fitted with tailored blazers and matching miniskirts.
We can’t believe we’re typing this, but according to luxury brands like Khaite, Ferragamo, and Raf Simons, leggings are back in fashion’s good graces. Part of spring 2023’s skinny-pant trend (shocking, we know), this season’s leggings are best styled with a cool tailored blazer or peacoat or solo with a simple tank top and sandals.
All maxi skirts are trending at the moment, but our favorites are the simple column-shaped ones that dominated the runway at shows for Tibi and Altuzarra. If you’re looking for an easy alternative to trousers or jeans, this is the silhouette for you. Tip: pair it with retro sneakers for a low-key look or boots to turn things up a notch.
Suits are no stranger to the runway, but this season’s selection was sharper than we’ve seen in recent years. Less slouchy and oversize, spring’s waistcoats, blazers, and trousers will be clean-cut and office appropriate. Though, you certainly won’t want to change for post-work activities.
Miu Miu’s spring 2023 collection gave us an all-new outlook on simple cotton T-shirts, leading us to dive deeper into other shows to find equally chic and fresh-looking alternatives. Whether layered on top of each other (Miu Miu) or worn plainly with a matching asymmetric skirt (Stella McCartney), the runways proved that you can’t go wrong with an easy tee.
It doesn’t get more classic and essential than an elegant, tailored coat that can be easily dressed up or down with the right pieces underneath. This season, this style was most present in its maxi form, with floor-sweeping or slightly shorter lengths reigning supreme at 16Arlington, Saint Laurent, and The Row.
Tank tops made quite the splash in February when the simple shirt style became a luxury staple on the fall runways thanks to brands such as Prada and Bottega Veneta. Unlike other fast trends though, this one was designed to last, and designers are continuing to champion the wardrobe staple in their spring collections. Styled under open jackets and button-downs at Givenchy and Bottega Veneta or layered underneath minidresses at Brandon Maxwell, this season proved that tank tops aren’t just for wearing solo. Rather, the possibilities appear truly endless.
It doesn’t get much more classic than a trench coat, yet designers like Jonathan Anderson at Loewe and Catherine Holstein at Khaite still managed to take the timeless silhouette and make it fresh by shortening the length and trading in its traditional heavy-duty cotton for luscious satin.
Of all the basics trends that appeared on the spring 2023 runways, tube dresses got our blood pumping the most. Classic yet fresh, the ’90s-inspired dress style has the potential to become just as essential in our year-round wardrobes as a simple tee, vintage jeans, or a rib-knit dress.
