We’ve already taken a deep dive into the biggest trends of the fall/winter 2023 collections and polled our editors on which they will be wearing first. To further examine the collections and uncover the top trends and key buys, we spoke with insiders at some of the biggest fashion retailers. Fueled by data on the pieces they will be investing in for the season ahead, they have a unique perspective on the direction fashion is taking this fall and the shopping items that will be landing in stores.
So where is fashion headed for fall 2023? “There was a great sense of wearability to this season’s collections, proving effortless and understated luxury is the future of dressing,” Net-a-Porter Market Director Libby Page told Who What Wear. “We know our customers will continue to have an appetite for classic, minimal wardrobe essentials but also experiment with seasonal trends.” We’ve already seen demand for truly ready-to-wear pieces growing, but this mood is continuing into next season. Moda Operandi’s chief merchant, April Hennig, provided further proof, explaining, “We are seeing a shift in refined wardrobing. As women return to dressing for their day-to-day post-pandemic lives, fashion is transitioning out of pure fantasy and into reality.” MyTheresa’s VP of fashion buying, Tiffany Hsu, had a similar interpretation of the collections, calling outmaxi silhouettes and a return to tailoring. She also mentioned buzzy and impactful accessories like the furry shoes that are set to be big next season. Here, see the top fall 2023 trends and key buys to know for the season ahead.
The major trends of the season include pieces that are ready to wear and bold shades that are already starting to make their imprint on fashion. Despite the vast range of trends to know for fall 2023, these four are topping the list among fashion’s biggest retailers.
Again and again, we heard “wearability” uttered as the buzzword of the season, as designers are focused on pieces that are truly ready to wear. “A compelling balance of creativity and sophistication reverberated throughout the month,” Hennig explained. “The sense of wearability and ease seen in New York and Milan continued in Paris, with dynamic creativity that elevated it to new heights.” It’s simple fashion at its best with a sense of refinement and reimagination.
The color of the season—undeniably—is red. “Established and emerging designers all received the red memo this season,” Page told Who What Wear. “Maximilian Davis reinforced the brand’s recently unveiled signature shade of scarlet with myriad amorous looks.” Whether you’re adding an accessory for a punch of color or committing to a full look in fiery red, there is no denying that this is the key shade to add to your cart.
Suiting took a turn in the fall/winter 2023 collections from slouchy, oversize silhouettes to sharp tailoring with powerful shoulders. “Designers championed tailoring for fall. … The more exaggerated the better, as we saw at Saint Laurent,” explained Page. This power suiting was something on the forefront for Hsu as well. She explained, “Throughout the collections, there was a strong emphasis on tailoring featuring statement shoulders and hourglass silhouettes, as seen at Balmain, for example. I think we will continue to see this trend throughout the upcoming season.”
For many seasons, we’ve seen ’90s minimalism on the runways. Whether you’ve already invested in pieces to tap into the trend or you’re considering it now, rest assured that it isn’t slowing down. “We have seen the trend for ’90s minimalism in New York and London, and this continued in the collections by Gucci, Ferragamo, and Bottega in Milan and The Row and Valentino in Paris,” Page said. “’90s minimalism is the trend we just can’t get enough of.”
While we’ve already covered the main trends to know for fall/winter 2023, what are the key buys to add to your shopping list for the season ahead? From the next It shoes to statement outerwear, these are the pieces to shop first.
“Prada’s skirts are sure to be one of the biggest It items of the season,” Hennig explained. “They came in various hemlines, from mini to A-line, with some boasting origami floral details.” While there are plenty of silhouettes to choose from, we’re placing bets that full skirts will be big. The silhouette was prevalent on the fall/winter 2023 runways and the street style scene alike but feels like it is gaining even more momentum.
The resounding key buy for fall? A really great coat. “Emotional outerwear is a must-have item for fall/winter 2023,” Hennig told us, naming designs from Chloé, LaQuan Smith, Altuzarra, and Stella McCartney as pieces to have on your shopping list. Hsu echoed the sentiment. “For outerwear, we saw a lot of über-voluminous and fluffy coats, which I loved!” she said. While statement-making, opulent coats were particularly noteworthy, quieter, pared-back versions are also worthy of your attention. “Coats were a definite highlight this fashion month,” Page said. “From tailored coats at Khaite, Gucci, and Erdem to leather coats at Gabriela Hearst and Ferragamo, we’ve seen numerous iterations of these luxurious, elevated styles on the runway.”
While there are many emerging shoe trends for fall, furry footwear was a standout. “This season was all about the big, surrealistic shoe designs for me,” Hsu explained. “Gucci and Bottega Veneta really stood out here in creating that fun, buzzworthy piece.”
