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- No Pants, XL Jewellery and 6 Other Trends We Could See at AAFW, According to a Stylist
No Pants, XL Jewellery and 6 Other Trends We Could See at AAFW, According to a Stylist
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The biggest event on the Australian fashion calendar — AAFW — is right around the corner, and we’re gearing up to see Australia’s biggest designers take to the runway and show us their upcoming spring / summer collections.
In 2022, we saw the return of neon, the wide leg pant and epic cut-outs. Refined Y2K was catching wind and with it, platform jelly sandals and kitten heels. Low rise skirts. Structured crops. Colourful silks.
While many designers took on the challenge of heading back to the early 2000’s, injecting playfulness into otherwise simple designs — there was also a good dose of Aussie minimalism, with classic tailoring, a-line layering and plenty of neutrals.
So, what trends do we predict to see at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week in May?
POPSUGAR Australia caught up with Sydney and London-based stylist, Georgina Downe, to get her predictions.
No Pants, Pants
“When Kendall Jenner wore the Bottega Veneta Spring ‘23 runway look of sheer tights, black briefs and a crew neck sweater in the streets of LA carrying a bunch of flowers, she made the pant-less look acceptable off the runway,” Downe tells POPSUGAR Australia.
But have you heard of the Kendall Jenner no pants trend!? pic.twitter.com/fKTVuq4QsP
— Alli 💛💛 (@AlliFitz) January 28, 2023
Overall, it’s giving very supermodel off-duty. While Jenner’s look is perhaps the most memorable, Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber have also rocked the no-pants trend, roaming the streets of NYC, eating a slice of pizza or just generally looking nonchalant and hot.
“On the runway, Mui Mui followed suit, with embellished briefs in their Fall ‘23 collection, and Christopher Esber debuted high-waisted wool blend briefs in his Moda Operandi exclusive trunkshow.”
“We will definitely be seeing more of this trend in the upcoming AAFW.”
But off or on the runway? Or both? We’ll keep our eyes peeled.
Extra Large Jewellery
“It started with the Bottega drop earrings and escalated from there,” says Downe.
“Gone are the days of dainty everyday wear jewellery. It’s now all about the drama, with oversized fashion jewellery. Statement earrings, large stacked bangles and cuffs, and chunky rings.”
The Naked Trend
Downe predicts Saint Laurent has set the tone for the naked trend, with the sheer long sleeve maxi dress that has been seen on Rosie Huntington Whiteley, Phoebe Tonkin, Hailey Bieber and recently Kylie Jenner, for HommeGirls magazine.
“Sheer skirts, tops and dresses are sure to make an appearance this fashion week.”
Plus, we’ve seen sheer dresses everywhere on the red carpet — on the likes of Emily Ratajkowski and Florence Pugh and in the wild, most notably on Rita Ora.
“A tip for wearing this trend: balance the amount of skin being shown and keep it chic when wear something sheer by having it be midi or maxi length, high neck and long sleeve,” recommends Downe.
“Also, invest in the perfect brief. I highly recommend the SKIMS ‘fits everybody’ brief.”
Hooded Dresses
Alaia, Saint Laurent, Gauge81, Magda Butrym and Mônot are a few designers who have already jumped on this trend and celebrities are loving it. Hooded dresses have been seen on red carpets, at award shows and even out for dinner as of late.
“Dua Lipa in Saint Laurent, Lara Worthington in vintage Alaia for the London “Avatar” premiere, Amina Muaddi in Mônot for a Vogue Magazine dinner earlier this year, and Zoey Deutch also wore in Mônot for a Daily Front Row dinner in LA just the other night,” says Downe.
“Hooded dresses have slowly been making more appearances and will be spotted during AAFW. Pair with statement earrings and cuffs.”
With celebrities like Margot Robbie, Taylor Swift and Anne Hathaway on the trend — we wouldn’t be surprised if we see more than one hood strut down the runway at AAFW.
Cropped Leather Jackets
“The Frankie Shop, Saint Laurent, and Manokhi have lead the way with this trend,” says Downe. “Worn for street style with relaxed trousers and adidas sambas, or layered over black tie dresses for events, cropped leather jackets are everywhere.”
According to Downe, TikTok’s favourite millennial Morgan Stewart debuted her new Saint Laurent cropped leather jacket with shoulder pads in a recent video for her NYC street style look. Plus, Scanlan Theodore have already come out with cropped leather bombers.”
@morganmcgraw Honestly who knows
♬ original sound – Morgan Stewart
“This trend will definitely be seen in a range of Australian designer collections, and in a range of prices.”
Old Money Chic
This trend is all about clean tailoring, simple shapes, minimal colour. Less is more for the everyday wear and building a timeless wardrobe.
“If the internet’s recent obsessed with Sofia Richie Grainge and her ‘old money chic’ style has taught us anything, it’s that there is a cultural shift in who the ‘cool girl’ is,” says Downe.
“Conservative shapes such as maxi skirts, midi dresses, classic buttons up shirts, tanks, and straight leg jeans. TikTok’s obsession with the ‘quiet luxury’ of HBO’s “Succession” has also contributed to this trend. Essentially making everything The Row has done more accessible.”
Think Gwyneth Paltrow’s court wardrobe, anything Shiv Roy has worn in the final season of “Succession” thus far, Meghan Markle minus the jewellery… you catch our drift. Given that Australian fashion designers historically gravitate towards effortless and minimal design, this is set to be a big trend at AAFW 2023.
Micro Mini Skirts (and Dresses)
“And I mean extremely micro,” says Downe.
“Instagram’s favourite Parisian, Camille Charriere, recently wore the very popular Loewe grey wool dress that is so short it comes with matching briefs. And then she wore just the briefs with sheer tights underneath, jumping on the ‘no pants’ trend, too.”
“Norma Kamali made an LBD with a built in bodysuit and Maryam Nassir Zadeh made a low waist micro skirt with built in briefs. That micro miniskirt by Miu Miu went so viral last year it got it’s own instagram page; @miumiuset. Plus, Bec and Bridge have already previewed an ultra micro miniskirt coming out later this year.”
We’re convinced. It’s not even an upcoming trend, it’s just a trend.
Low Waist Belts
According to Downe, the rein of the early 2000’s trend continues. “Low rise jeans and skirts wasn’t far enough,” she says.
“We are now going back to our Hilary Duff, Paris Hilton and Ashley Tisdale phase of layering thick belts, low waist, over skirts and jeans.”
We’re not sure what to expect of this trend down the runway. Hopefully Aussie designers can restore our faith?
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