Tuesday, December 31

The Year in Review: 2013's Top 20 Fashion Trends



As 2013 comes to an end, I bring you my recap of the year's top fashion trends.  This year was all about throwing caution to wind as designers exhibited less restraint and demonstrated more creativity in their collections than years past.  Designers did not hold back, showing bold graphics and lots of leather (they even brought back grunge!).  The fashion world was obsessed with bold red lips, mint green nails, floral prints, and statement coats.  Frankly, I'm surprised I could narrow it all down.  As I look back and reflect fondly on the year's trends, I can honestly say that I absolutely loved everything that came down the runways. But, I'm even more excited to see what 2014 has in store!

1. Plaid Coat

After several seasons of runway looks in crisply cut neutrals and pastels, Celine's blazing plaid wrap coat made a statement and offered a welcomed departure from colors that blend with the crowd.


2. Menswear-inspired shoes

The appropriation of menswear classics escalated with brashly colored and highly ornamented loafers, oxfords and smoking slippers by companies like Cole Haan and designer Christian Louboutin making flats look anything but plain ole, well, flat.

Alexander Wang
Valentino





Christian Louboutin
Christian Louboutin













3. The 90s are Back!

Crop tops, acid-wash shorts, combat boots, and zippers head-to-toe- so much grunge, but with a more punk glam touch.
 
Karl Lagerfeld
Alexander McQueen


Alexander McQueen

4. Cinderella Dresses

A bevy of beauties were sporting full-skirts and tea-length dresses, perhaps in hopes of a glass-slipper moment!

Ann Taylor
 

Coast
Oscar de la Renta













5. No-Glare Flair

Framed in lacquered sunny yellow, fiery vermillion, or hot pink, colorful sunnies like Ray-Bans made you want to reach for your shades.

A.J. Morgan

Matthew Williamson
Marni













6. Statement Necklaces

Why wear your heart on your sleeve when Lanvin has devised a delicious way to hang your feelings around your neck in brass and faux pearls?




7.  Pajama Party

Designers, like Marc Jacobs sent his PJs out for sleepwalking this falls and fashionistas everywhere too their pajama pants out of bed and onto the streets.

Top Shop

Derek Lam
Adam Lippes













8. Split Decision: Colorblocking

While the color-blocking trend has been a retail darling for a few years now, in 2013 we were knocked over the head with bigger, bolder blocks of color.
 
River Island
Alice + Olivia
Rachel Roy












Fendi

9.  Fine Lines

This year we saw crave-worthy stripes remixed in new colors and patterns.  Check out some of the top of the line looks from 2013 below.

Kalmanovich
Diane von Furstenberg



 






Wallisfashion.com

10.  All Lacquered Up

Nail art still has its place, but polish is pointing toward the light.  Minty green shone beautifully with spring's flurry of icy pastels and verdant prints.

"Mint Candy Apple"
Essie

11. Modern Florals

While nothing is more symbolic of spring than flowers, this year floral prints were in full bloom and bigger than ever, even showing a large presence in fall and winter collections.

Tory Burch
 
Manolo Blahnik
Tory Burch













Dorothy Perkins

12. Graphic Black and White

This year designers got back to basics with monochromatic black and white fashions.  There were no shades of grey with this fashion trend.

Oscar de la Renta

wallisfashion.com
Tinley Road












 
Saint Laurent

13.  Tuxedo Dressing

So dapper on a man, so sleek and sophisticated on woman, tuxedo's revamped the concept of ladies formal wear as women opted to forgo the gown and throw on a sleek tuxedo jacket and pants for their evening soirees. 


Mango
Balmain












St. John Collection

14. Rainbow Leather

Leather and spring aren't the most obvious pairing, but leave it to this years crew of innovative designers who featured copious amounts of warm weather leather to make it en vogue.  From Tibi's colorful structured tops and skirts to Fendi's sleek color-blocked pants, we couldn't help to be intrigued!

Fendi
Tibi












Tibi

15. Animal Prints- The Trend That Came Alive!

Animal prints were everywhere this year as designers took a walk on the wild side.  From head-to-toe leopard or zebra and or touches of snakeskin these looks were spot on!

Burberry
Fendi
Fendi

16. On Your Lips

Dramatically hued clothes can't go it alone.  You should have their back, so to speak.  You could do red, but why not pucker with a can't-miss orange or oxblood.

Maybelline in Vibrant Mandarin; Yves Saint Laurent in Indian Orange;
LancĂ´me in Love in Miss Coquelicot 


17. Super-Chic Novelty Sweaters

Prints? Knits? Appliques? Yes! Anything went with trend. From playful prints to dynamic textures and tongue and phrases these looks hit the sweater sweet spot.

Stella McCartney
Chanti & Parker














Tory Burch

18. Minaudiere Box Clutches

Jeweled clutches in art deco geometrics brought back the roaring 20s. Attributed in part to this Summer's adaptation of the Great Gatsby, the stylish box shaped metal clutches reemerged with a modern elegance an punch of attitude. 

Aldo

 

Charlotte Olympia
Nasty Gal












Alexander McQueen
 
19.  Peek-A-Boo: Flash of Flesh

Trend-seekers everywhere bared it all this year in the name of fashion's laser cut of trend.   The key, as it so often is, was subtly as women celebrated their curves in a sophisticated manner in dresses with side cuts outs, leg revealing slit skirts, and a sheer paneled skirt tops.   Victoria Beckham and Christopher Kane, in particular, mastered the discretely daring look.

Victoria Beckham
Christopher Kane
Victoria Beckham












Vivienne Westwood

20.  Statement Boot

From funky fur trimmed to exotic skins and metallic finishes, shoe lovers everywhere were putting their best foot forward int this year's statement boot.  Proof that winter is no reason to go all dark and dreary this fancy footwear was enough to lift even the flattest of moods.

Tom Ford
Giuseppe Zanotti

Fendi
Jimmy Choo