The Most-Wearable Trends From New York Fashion Week’s Fall 2023 Shows

Colors, lengths and styles that will add a spark to your wardrobe

A model on the runway turned with her back to the audience showing her wearing a black dress with two white bows on her arms at Christian Siriano RTW Fall 2023 fashion show

A model at the Christian Siriano Ready To Wear Fall 2023 fashion show in New York in a long black dress with cascading white sleeves, adorned with rosettes.

Nina Westervelt/WWD via Getty Images

Amy Synnott,

AARP

En español

Published February 21, 2023

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.

A model wearing a red leather dress on the runway at the PatBO show during New York Fashion Week; a model wearing a red dress at the Proenza Schouler Fall 2023 Ready To Wear Fashion Show; a model wearing a red Tory Burch sweater walking on the runway during New York Fashion Week

(Left to right) A model walks the runway at the PatBO show; a model at the Proenza Schouler Fall 2023 Ready To Wear Fashion Show; a model wearing Tory Burch during Fall/Winter 2023 New York Fashion Week

Albert Urso/Getty Images; Nina Westervelt/WWD via Getty Images; Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Tory Burch

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.

A model wearing a burgundy leather dress on the runway at the Gabriela Hearst Fall 2023 Ready To Wear Fashion Show; Anna Wintour in a python trench coat at the Michael Kors Collection Fall/Winter 2023 Runway Show; a model walking the runway in a brown leather trench coat at the Coach Fall 2023 Ready To Wear Fashion Show

(Left to right) A model on the runway at Gabriela Hearst Fall 2023 Ready To Wear Fashion Show; Anna Wintour attends the Michael Kors Collection Fall/Winter 2023 Runway Show; a model at the Coach Fall 2023 Ready To Wear Fashion Show

Rodin Banica/WWD via Getty Images; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Michael Kors; Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images

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.

Spotted at: Proenza Schouler, Gabriela Hearst, Brandon Maxwell, Coach

How to wear it: Feeling bold? Consider investing in one of the season’s standout pieces: a maxi leather dress in red or burgundy. Keep in mind: Leather doesn’t always need to be edgy; with the right cut or detailing, it can look decidedly feminine. “I wore a YSL leather bow top to fashion week,” says Caruso. For an everyday look, try pairing a chunky knit sweater with a midi-length leather skirt (as seen at Proenza Schouler) or an oversize menswear blazer with a pair of leather leggings. A crisp white button-down also looks chic with a more classic trouser-style cut. And if you don’t feel comfortable donning leather pants, take inspiration from Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Wintour, 73, who sat front row at Michael Kors wearing a chic python trench.

A model walking the runway in a red and purple dress with a big white bow tied on the waist at the Carolina Herrera Fall/Winter 2023 fashion show; a model wearing a black dress with a black and white cover top with a black bow at the Rodarte Fall 2023 Ready To Wear Fashion Show

(Left to right) A model walks the runway during the Carolina Herrera Fall/Winter 2023 fashion show; a model at the Rodarte Fall 2023 Ready To Wear Fashion Show

YUKI IWAMURA/AFP via Getty Images; Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images

The trend: Bows

The look: At Khaite and Rodarte, models wore black ribbons around their necks while Carolina Herrera cinched bold color-block ensembles with large bows in yet another contrasting shade. Meanwhile, Sandy Liang used big bows, tiny ribbon embellishments and bow-printed fabric. She even went so far as to commission lead nail artist Holly Falcone to paint tiny bows on the models’ nails.

Spotted at: Badgley Mischka, Khaite, Rodarte, Melke, Sandy Liang

How to wear it: While bow nail art may best be left to your Gen Z daughter or niece, consider using it as an embellishment in more grown-up ways. Tie a black ribbon around your neck to add a cool-girl edge to an otherwise minimalist (but of the moment) long black dress (see below). Another chic option? Loop a long velvet bow — ends dangling — around a trendy ballerina bun.

A model walks the runway wearing a shoulder-less long black Tory Burch dress during Fall/Winter 2023 New York Fashion Week; a model wearing a long black dress at the Badgley Mischka show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows; a model walking the runway in a long black dress at the Brandon Maxwell Fall 2023 Ready To Wear Fashion Show

(Left to right) A model walks the runway wearing Tory Burch during Fall/Winter 2023 New York Fashion Week; a model at the Badgley Mischka show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows; a model at the Brandon Maxwell Fall 2023 Ready To Wear Fashion Show

Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Tory Burch; Noam Galai/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows; Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images

The trend: The long black dress

The look: As proved at countless shows this season, maxi lengths are having a moment. And while mid-calf and floor-skimming hemlines may at first glance seem modest, this fall’s striking iterations are anything but boring, with sexy cutouts, corset detailing and embellishments like bows and bell sleeves. “At a time when a dozen eggs can cost almost $8 in certain parts of the country, I think a lot of people realize it makes sense to invest in a versatile black dress that can be worn in many different ways,” says Caruso.

Spotted at: Tory Burch, Badgley Mischka, Brandon Maxwell, Coach

How to wear it: Highlight a long black dress with a hint of smudgy black eyeliner, a dark burgundy lip or fishnet stockings (yes, they are back again!).

Beverly Johnson wearing a gold gown and cape while walking the runway for Dennis Basso during New York Fashion Week: The Shows; a model at the Michael Kors Collection Fall/Winter 2023 Runway Show; a model walking the runway in a red sequined dress at the Michael Kors Collection Fall/Winter 2023 Runway Show

(Left to right) Beverly Johnson walks the runway for Dennis Basso during New York Fashion Week: The Shows; a model at the Michael Kors Collection Fall/Winter 2023 Runway Show

Arturo Holmes/Getty Images; JP Yim/Getty Images for Michael Kors

The trend: Metallics and sequins

The look: From the show-stopping gold gown-and-cape ensemble worn by Beverly Johnson at Dennis Basso to the red sequin dresses models wore to slink down the Michael Kors runway, designers cranked up the glam factor this season.

Spotted at: Dennis Basso, Jason Wu, Michael Kors, Christian Siriano, Simkhai, Badgley Mischka, Pamella Roland

How to wear it: While many designers showed looks featuring head-to-toe sparkle, the trend can easily be worked into your wardrobe with the addition of statement separates. Consider, for example, pairing a sequined blazer with your favorite black trousers, or a shiny bomber jacket with a midi skirt and tall boots. Or, for an even more subtle take on the trend, add a pop color and shine with a red patent leather heel, a metallic evening purse, a stack of bracelets or some sparkly dangle earrings.

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Amy Synnott is an award-winning writer and former Executive Editor of Elle and Harper's Bazaar. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Vogue, CNN and InStyle, among other publications.