How To Recreate These 8 Best Trends from NYFW: FW24 Edition
New York Fashion Week F/W ‘24 has come and gone, leaving in its wake next fall’s style trends. The word “trend” often translates to something ephemeral, and more importantly, disposable; it’s important to recognize that while something may trend, it doesn’t necessarily lack permanence in the world of fashion. After all, there’s nothing new under the sun, and the trends we’re highlighting below are largely blasts from the past that are reemerging for another cycle—some with fresh iterations or fused with contemporary aesthetics.
If runway trends excite or inspire you, the good news is that you don’t need to buy new items to liven up your wardrobe. These trends are likely already in your closet, easily DIY-able, or readily available on the secondhand market.
Embellishments
This season, designers took notes from punks and maximalists, decorating their pieces with embellishments like beads, sequins, gems, and vintage pins and brooches. Dauphinette’s FW collection, The Vegetarian, was ripe with garments upcycled with embellishments, while Tanner Fletcher played with pins in their collection Estate Sale.
How to:
With just a needle or a hot glue gun, get some beads or old earrings you no longer wear that you can easily add these details to your clothing! Or bring out that handy-dandy bedazzler and have some fun.
2. Chains & Fringe
The 2010s called; they said you could borrow their fringe obsession and the chain you used to add to your pants every day in middle school.
How to:
Fringe makes for a straightforward DIY project; all you need is a pair of scissors to cut fabric into strips or grab some rope and knot them together to achieve a bunched effect, like this look from Melke.
You can also repurpose chains from old necklaces by pinning them to clothing to create a vibe similar to this look by Dauphinette.
3. Bows
We know what you’re thinking, “bows have been trending,” but the bow took on new incarnations this fashion week. Fashion theorist Rian Phin took to Threads to comment on Sandy Liang’s FW collection, “it looks like Sandy’s girl is maturing.” Don’t abandon your spare ribbon or yarn just yet baddies, designers like Tanner Fletcher are working the bow into workwear. Others are going the camp route and incorporating oversized bows in their designs as seen in Coach’s and Melke’s collections.
DIY
Grab a sewing needle or safety pins and create bows out of fabric scraps or ribbon! Or get extra funky and try your hand at crocheting some bows.
4. Grunge Academia
Fall 2024 is all about embracing dark aesthetics and what we’re calling grunge academia. The best example of this was seen in Anna Sui’s FW collection, where she incorporated the silhouettes from 1920s fashion that influenced grunge, dark moody makeup, warm earth tones, neutrals, and patterns like plaid and argyle. Their runway took place in the Strand’s rare book room, even!
DIY
Using your fave plaid, tartan, and fur pieces alongside preppy clothes, throw on a smokey eye, some slept-in mascara, and distressed layers for a look that balances book smarts with cool girl energy.
5. Whimsy & Kitsch
Fans of the twee aesthetic will be excited to hear whimsical, kitschy designs took center stage this fashion week, from Lou Dallas’ bold colors and playful textures, crafted using deadstock fabrics, and Melke’s signature whimsy with polka dots and quirky rat and fish patches.
DIY
As you look forward to next fall, consider experimenting with mixing playful patterns and textures, adding more vibrant colors to your outfits, and accessorizing with your favorite statement pieces!
6. Mob Wife
We’ve seen it all over TikTok, and now, the controversial “mob wife” aesthetic has made its way to the Fall 2024 runway. Iconic looks like those from The Sopranos and Lil’ Kim walked the runway at Gabriela Hearst and Anna Sui. These designers, who in past runways have opted for softer girlhood aesthetics, incorporated the mob wife’s sexier and more mature looks. They played with dramatic accessories like sunglasses and head scarves and basked in the glory of a statement coat.
DIY
To recreate these looks, scrounge your closet for that jacket you never had the confidence to throw on or opt for vintage scarves and sunglasses to emulate a very IDGAF attitude.
7. Punk Tribute to Vivienne Westwood
Over a year after the iconic designer's passing, NYFW continues to honor the legacy that Vivienne Westwood left. Westwood was known for her punk, DIY, and subversive looks, which were abundant on this season's runways. Alina Liu and Melke both dressed models in Dr. Marten combat boots and Dr. Marten chunky loafers to contrast with florals and pink accents. Melke’s oversized and asymmetrical pieces reflected looks similar to Westwood's Pirates collection. Westwood was also known for transforming traditional femme styles into upcycled and innovative looks. Wiederhoft reflected similar ideas with their inclusion of corsets and exaggerated porcelain doll makeup looks.
DIY
To give your own outfits that punk flare, opt for contrasting a girly or femme aesthetic with your more masc or hardcore pieces. Or grab some scissors and your sewing machine and attempt this Melke look.
8. Showstopping Purses
Dauphinette outdid herself in the way of handbags this year. Staying true to her “Vegetarian” theme, Dauphinette incorporated themed food bags, and upcycled football and volleyball bags, all completely transformed into something innovatively eye-catching. Collina Strada also incorporated quilted purses that are begging us to recreate from upcycled quilts and fabrics.
DIY
If you’re too scared to make a bag from scratch, consider thrifting a purse and embellishing it with any and everything.
Which NYFW trend(s) are you excited to DIY and try this fall?