NYFW Spring/Summer 2019 Trends
6 NYFW Trends We Saw On The Runway And Can’t Wait To Wear
It’s hard to believe that NYFW is over. As the weather cools down and people move their eyes towards London Fashion Week, fashionistas are reveling over all the soon to be Spring/Summer 2019 trends that we’ll be seeing next year. To help you begin to think of pieces to add into your Fall wardrobe (that you can repurpose for Spring) and to keep you up to date on all that’s on trend, we have how style is shifting for Spring/Summer 2019 based on what we saw on the runway in NYC.
ISLAND VIBES
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for New York Fashion Week: The Shows)
New York City is a major hub for international travel and it showed during this NYFW. There was a noticeable island vibe that spread across the New York City runways as models strutted down the catwalk with pieces that were vibrant in color, bold in movement, and perfectly patterned.
ISLAND VIBES
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for New York Fashion Week: The Shows)
At Michael Costello, the runway was washed in a red light reminiscent of TLC vibes. The pieces on the runway had a gypsy influence. From mesmerizing ruffles and pieces that move, one definitely needs an island breeze to set off these designs in a Beyoncé like fashion. The designer revealed backstage that he had created this collection in 10 days, his Project Runway days have taught Costello to work under pressure while his rise in the fashion industry has just sharpened his talent.
ISLAND VIBES
(Photo by Pietro D’aprano/FilmMagic,,)
Carly Cushnie revealed what a brand all of her own looks like, debuting her solo collection, Cushnie, on the NYC runway. With models walking over material that seemingly represented water was the perfect background for the flowy island like pieces that came down the runway mixed in with her signature sexy skin showing dresses. You could see the immediate changes within the brand without Michelle Ochs also at the helm. Cushnie included plus-size models (a first for the brand) and the designer had major fashion notables in the audience, including the legendary Bethann Hardison, for this major moment in Black fashion history.
ISLAND VIBES
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows)
Nothing screams resorts and islands other than all white looks and the NYFW runways were full of them. All white will be fresh in stores for Spring/Summer 2019 and we’re happy. While people tend to shy away from this color for fear of looking “bigger,” the look always comes across as crisp and clean.
ISLAND VIBES
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Dan Liu)
The white looks are far from just your simple button down or wide leg pants. Designers played with texture, overlay and structure for Spring/Summer 2019. Designer Dan Liu presented an all-white cocktail dress with flowers at the hemline and modestly showing skin. It’s perfect for summer brunch in the Hamptons.
PANTSUIT PERFECTION
(Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
Pantsuits were trending in the front row for NYFW and Fall fashion and it’s no surprise to see pantsuit silhouettes in bright and bold colors coming for Spring/Summer 2019. In fashion subcultures, it’s non-binary clothing that is trending. Pantsuits are a safe way to play with gender neutrality and look oh-so-good doing so. Undra Celeste, known for her romantic pieces and workwear that you can werk it in, gave us a 70’s explosion with jewel tones, pencil skirts, flared legs and more. We’re thankful for the above yellow suit that personally, I can’t wait to get my hands on.
PANTSUIT PERFECTION
(Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
At Harlem Fashion Row, Kimberly Goldson’s collection was inspired by Beyoncé and the collection is called Formation. Confidently coming down the runway with androgynous plaits was a series of pantsuit silhouettes.
PANTSUIT PERFECTION
(Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
NBA players are loving the short suit trend and Goldson gave us a power play in purple. The best part? Seeing it on a plus size body. The styling with a one strap heel and some Nike socks is enough to make me want to take a knee in support of style.
PANTSUIT PERFECTION
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Taoray Wang showed support for the suit trend but softened it for a sexy appeal. The above dress takes a work look to the next level and is perfect for mingling at that high-end happy hour. The above dress is half blazer, half dress and 100% stylish. The styling with a corset and ankle corsets give appeal of going from the boardroom to the bedroom. Ow!
PANTSUIT PERFECTION
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
While we saw a lot of bold colors on the runway for island vibes, pastels were still in play. This mellow yellow dress plays with texture and the grommet belt gives the romantic look a more bad ass appeal.
PANTSUIT PERFECTION
(Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images)
Designers have been leaning into more transitional pieces that can take you through seasons. At LaQuan Smith he debuted these blazers with metal overlay that is a seasonless piece for your closet that packs a lot of style.
ELEVATED COMFORT
(Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
New York is a walking city so you have to look good AND be comfortable at the same time. All hail the commuter shoe, which is often a sneaker that’s easy for slipping on and off, running up and down the subway stairs and even to the gym. Fashion designers took note of this idiosyncrasy and supported it on the runway. Several designers placed sneakers into play for the look. NYFW kicked off with an epic announcement of LeBron James’ exclusive shoe that he had designed by the Harlem Fashion Row designers. You saw Nike’s on the runway and off as the brand has publicly backed Colin Kaepernick and fashion liberals are ecstatic.
ELEVATED COMFORT
Photo by Danielle James taken front row at the Hardware London show at NYFW. September 2018.
Sneakers with dresses were all the rage at NYFW…and we aren’t talking casual ensembles. Designers had cocktail dresses with sneakers and our feet were crying with joy. Expect footwork to include a more casual appeal during benefit season next Spring. I’m totally here for pieces one can look haute AND walk in.
HAUTE HEADPIECES
(Photo by Pietro D’aprano/FilmMagic,,)
Headpieces and accessories were big this summer. Vogue’s September issues for both the United States and the UK featured Beyoncé and Rihanna donning epic floral headpieces. Headgear is here and hats will continue to trend. The satin turbans at Cushnie were beautiful in metallic colors and will have you looking stylish on a bad hair day.
HAUTE HEADPIECES
(Photo by Randy Brooke/WireImage)
Accessories are an easy way to up your look into an avant-garde manner. Marc Jacobs leaned into this fact and created these beautiful head bags that play with the popular pastel in robin blue.
HAUTE HEADPIECES
(Photo by Randy Brooke/WireImage)
The Marc Jacobs show was a nod to the 80’s and this small black hat looks perfect and purposeful with this color blocked suit that looks straight out of a Martin episode.
HAUTE HEADPIECES
(Photo by Pietro D’aprano/FilmMagic,,)
For your spring/summer outdoor event at some point you will need (or should want) a fascinator. Marc Jacobs provided several in pretty pastel colors that will look great against your melanin.
VOLUME
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 12: A model walks runway at the Marc Jacobs Spring 2019 Runway during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Park Avenue Armory on September 12, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Marc Jacobs)
New York designers pumped up the volume with more avant-garde and architectural looks throughout their pieces. Strutting down the runway you saw ruffles, tiered pieces, trains, and more. The Marc Jacobs collection took almost two hours to start but when the models came down the runway, it was worth it. In a time where New York designers are playing it more safe and commercial, Marc Jacobs gave us fashion fantasy.
VOLUME
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Just In XX also gave us volume in their pieces and we were here for it. The best part was that they also gave us volume AND a plus-size woman at the same time. Fashion blogger Kelly Augustine was featured in the show. It was great to see fashion magnitude on a size 18/20 body walking down the runway. Dear Plus Size Women, you can wear (and should not be afraid of) avant-garde pieces.
VOLUME
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows)
Voluminous dresses aren’t going anywhere. Herald at European fashion houses like Maison Margiela and Valentino, it was great to see them translated on the New York Fashion Week runways in more wearable ways. C+ Plus Series showed several pieces that you could wear phresh off the runway and turn heads but still okay for those that want to be out there…in a slightly subtle manner.
INTERESTING PRINTS
Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images)
LaQuan Smith is known for his sexy silhouettes but what had everyone talking this NYFQ was his epic print! He featured a print on several black and white pieces that was the mugshots of women criminals. Yes! Well behaved women rarely make history…and often wear LaQuan Smith’s skin tight and baring pieces.
INTERESTING PRINTS
(Photo by Randy Brooke/WireImage)
Florals for spring…how groundbreaking. This popular print was made more artsy with oversized florals meshing together for almost an art form at Alice + Olivia. The designer partnered with Booking.com for their Spring/Summer 2019 show and gave us pieces ready to pack for our next vacation.
INTERESTING PRINTS
(Photo by Randy Brooke/WireImage)
New York likes to play with patterns and prints and it was great to see how people patterned blocked clothing to make statement ensembles that deem you “best dressed” at any event. These maxi dresses are fashionable with their multiple patterns and don’t need heavy makeup or lots of accessories.
What is your favorite fashion trend that emerged from NYFW? Share with us in the comments!
Danielle James is Head of Fashion and Beauty Partnerships for HelloBeautiful and MadameNoire. She’s the Founder of Model Citizen, a peer-to-peer shopping platform that allows women to shop each others’ closets. You can find her on Instagram and Twitter: @TheIslanDiva.
