Your Fashion Week Download: 7 Fall 2022 Trends to Know From the New York Shows

New York Fashion Week has come and gone, and after getting a chance to see clothes in person again, we’re excited to give you the digital download on the standout trends we saw come down the runways. From our favorite small brands such as Saint Sintra and Maryam Nassir Zadeh to the coveted collections of Proenza Schouler and Khaite, there was a lot to love this show season. We’re talking about bold cobalt blue, netting as the new take on sheer, and balaclavas et al. continuing on. It’s safe to say you should start getting excited about the latter half of 2022 fashion now.

We’re not expecting you to take time out of your busy day to look through hundreds of runway images, but lucky for you, it’s been our job this past week to take notes and give a short cheat sheet on the best of the shows. Trust us when we say the trends below will start popping up on the market and among the fashion set come fall 2022. 

Of all the things we saw grace the runways in New York, grown-up sequins were a theme that definitely surprised us. Specifically, we spotted medallion-like sequins reminiscent of Medieval-era body armor on the runways of Altuzarra, Marc Jacobs, and Jonathan Simkhai that you really have to see in motion to fully appreciate. 

We resisted the urge to coin this trend “Blue Crush” although the poster for the 2002 film seemed to be on the mood board of more than more designers this season. That’s right, rich cobalt blue is the latest color trend to emerge from the runways, and given that saturated hues that are trending overall right now, we’re already predicting that this one will take off as soon as it hits the markets this fall.

Shop the matching Straight-Leg Pants ($70)

No matter where you stand on them, hoods are officially here to stay. If this past winter introduced us to balaclavas, then the fall runways are indicating the trend’s evolution from a cold-weather accessory to a full-blown silhouette. Whether it was via an artfully wrapped scarf per MNZ or a hooded dress hybrid à la Victor Glemaud, one thing’s clear: it’s time to embrace headgear. 

Western motifs always find their way onto the runways every few seasons and fall 2020 is one of them. Instead of over-the-top cowboy cosplay, designers took a subtle approach, imbuing an elevated prairie vibe with embellished belts like at Markarian and MNZ and exercising restraint with just the right about of fringe per Jonathan Simkhai.

While it’s more common to see crochet and netting in the spring, the fall collections took a sophisticated approach to handicraft materials. Most notably were these netted garments styled atop solid base layers: Claudia Li showed net dresses and matching fringe handbags and Hervé Leger experimented with inside-out fishnet trousers.

According to designers like Rosetta Getty, Tory Burch, and Saint Sintra, a single bare shoulder could eclipse even the most shocking of cutouts. A sleek silhouette with a softly draped asymmetric neckline seems to be the most popular way to wear the trend. 

This season confirms what we’ve been noticing: micro bags are no longer the dominant carryall of choice. The early aughts are back in full force, and with them, bags that loom larger than life. Proenza Schouler and Peter Do, both known for their delicious minimalism, sent sleek leather carryalls down their runways to accompany smartly tailored ensembles. A big crossbody slung over a relaxed pantsuit might just become fall’s It outfit trend.

Next: The It Colors to Know for Spring 2022, as Told by the Runways