New York Fashion Week 2023: Top Trends and Highlights

Ah, New York Fashion Week. There’s always a bit of camp and theater at the runway shows that preview the next season’s styles, and this year did not disappoint. And while you may not want to go pantless to your next dinner party — one model at Christian Siriano wore sheer black tights over black underwear — there were plenty of more-wearable looks in NYFW’s fall 2023 collections.

From slouchy knits and structured suiting to buttery leather skirts and floor-skimming maxi dresses, the shows offered plenty of ways to breathe new life into your post-COVID, return-to-civilization wardrobe. And don’t worry: You don’t need to be part of the TikTok generation to enjoy the fun. As barrier-breaking 70-year-old model Beverly Johnson, who shut down the Dennis Basso runway in an opulent gold gown and dramatic cape, proves, great style has nothing to do with age.

The trend: Red

The look: At shows like Carolina Herrera, models sashayed down the runway in elegant monochromatic skirt suits. The hue also appeared in cozy knits at Tory Burch, ruffles at PatBO and leather dresses at Proenza Schouler. “Last season, Valentino made fuchsia very popular, and this is sort of the natural evolution of that,” says New York City stylist Ann Caruso. “Red is the new pink.”

Spotted at: Carolina Herrera, Proenza Schouler, Tory Burch, Simkhai, Gabriela Hearst, Christian Siriano, Sandy Liang, PatBO, Kim Shui and Theory

How to wear it: “Wearing red is all about confidence,” says Cindy Weber-Cleary, a New Jersey-based fashion consultant (and former fashion director of InStyle). If you are feeling bold, consider wearing a monochromatic suit in the fiery hue. When it comes to separates, red pairs well with black, navy, beige and white, says Caruso. For an easy way into the trend, consider pairing a slouchy red knit top with wide-leg camel trousers, as they did at Tory Burch.

The trend: The return of leather

The look: Skirts, dresses, coats, belts, gloves and boots — leather was ubiquitous on the fall NYFW runways, replacing denim as the staple fabric du jour. “People really haven’t been wearing leather for a long time but as they reemerge and head back to work, they are starting to wear more leather. I personally haven’t worn my leather pants in years, but I’ve recently dug mine out,” says Caruso.