From Dior to Dolce, from trendy clothing items to new silhouettes, here’s our list of the new fashion trends for Fall/Winter 2019-2020 that every fashionista needs to know about!
Hey gorgeous! Fall is already here and I’m kinda late for my Fall fashion trends analysis. But nonetheless, here we are – just in time for fall shopping! If you’re ready to get some new pieces for your wardrobe, take a look at these 11 new fashion trends for the season. So that you never have to buy anything outdated!
New Fashion Trends for Fall 2019 Winter 2020
This year’s fashion trends mark an important transition – they’re the first ones to go into the new decade. And what a combination they are! From power-house comfy pants to work-friendly jumpsuits to unfeminine suits, it looks like 2020s fashion is made for us working women. Is it Christmas already!? I do like myself some poufy gowns and narrow waists, but all day, everyday – I just prefer efficiency over extravagance. And I’m not alone.
The fashion of 2020s is gotta be for the Mirandas of the world, not the Carries.
1. Androgynous Power Silhouette
The new aesthetic we’re seeing on the runway this year is androgynous/unisex. Almost every famous designer had very unfeminine clothing – suits, formal jackets, boyish shirts and sweaters, menswear fabrics.
Emphasis was on sharp, broad shoulders that overpower waist and hips. This is the new power dressing, including shoulder pads and clean lines. Clothing seemed comfortable and built for working women, not to enhance curves but to increase efficiency.
Even the beauty looks were in tune with this androgynous theme – short hair or tight buns with no makeup-makeup that sharpened the bone structure, almost changing the body type.
This is the #1 among all new fashion trends for Fall 2019 Winter 2020, and ties greatly into the comfortable, natural fashion movement for working women that is the perfect way to mark the second half of the 2010s decade.
I’ve written about this trend in greater detail in my article: Androgynous Clothing & Power Dressing are Runway’s Latest Obsession. In the article, I talked about how this trend reflects the natural and dramatic body types of the 13 Kibbe body types. David Kibbe introduced a style type theory in 1987, which was based not just on bust-waist-hip measurements, but also facial features, bone structure, masculinity/femininity of the body.
This body type theory is getting popular again, thanks to bloggers and vloggers, who promote fashion for natural bodies, rather than trying to mimic “hourglass” shape. The exaggerated shoulders we’re seeing mimic the “Dramatic” body type, that have broad shoulders that make the head seem smaller. And the power dressing we’re seeing mimics the “Flamboyant Natural” body type, which has wide rib cages, a balanced bone structure – neither too feminine nor too masculine.
2. Long Skirts
Make way for winter skirts, because comfortable, long wool skirts are very trendy right now. We saw calf-length midi skirts in so many collections, like Dior, Chanel, Prada, Valentino, Givenchy, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace and many more.
We saw so many different fabrics and textures among the new fashion trends. Fur, leather, tweed and wool skirts are the most popular. We also saw chiffon, silk and denim midi skirts. Surface techniques are going to be very popular in skirts, such as pleating, using decorative hardware and multi-media.
Pair them with leather jackets, full-sleeved blouses, sweaters, fur-jackets and crop jackets. We saw both plain and decorative skirts. Knit patterns, applique, ruffles, pleats, zippers and prints – all sorts of interesting elements.
We also saw long skirts in smart casual outfits. Add them to tailored jackets, well-fitted sweaters and layered blouses.
3. Wool Pants
Bid adieu to the “basic” leggings and over-sized sweater combo, leave it in the 2010s. Because the first season of 2020s is going to be all about wool pants. Extremely comfortable and perf for working women, most of the wool pants we spotted were loose-fitted.
Some of the designers created wool suits, also going into the androgynous trend we talked about earlier. The whole look in preppy aesthetic + neutral palette is that of a young and suave boy. It’s as if the women are wearing a preppy man’s clothes, literally, because some of the clothing is so tailored yet loose. Pair the wool pants with button-ups, V-neck sweaters and blazers.
You can also use the wool pants to create more feminine looks. We saw them paired with pussy-bow sweaters and decorative belts. The new fashion trends include both loose or more fitted wool pants for such outfits. You can go for plain wool pants, or try plaid prints. Add matching pumps, necklace and structured handbag to complete the smart casual but feminine look.
4. Winter Jumpsuits
Spring’s workmen-inspired aesthetic with overalls, khakis and large pockets has translated into winter jumpsuits this season. On the runways, we saw jumpsuits in dark colors like blacks and greys, and in wool, tweed, quilting and knit fabrics. Paired with overcoats and formal handbags, these gave a wearable office-wear look.
The other style of winter jumpsuits we saw was very casual street style or athleisure. Made in brilliant winter colors like sapphire, rust, dove grey, teal, these are perfect for a hot chocolate date or traveling. Choose casual jumpsuits with statement details like ruffles, artsy prints or sequins.
5. Winter Patterns
Patterns like herringbone, plaid, gingham and houndstooth always evoke winter imagery in one’s mind. Snow, hot cocoa, cozy blankets, woolen pajamas and Christmas sweaters come to mind. This year, these winter patterns are super chic, and among the top, new fashion trends of 2019-2020.
Design houses like Dior, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci are bringing about these prints like a wintry wave in the fashion landscape. We saw these winter patterns being used in coats, skirts, jackets and dresses. It was like women’s clothing being made out of men’s fabrics.
Then, it gets even more interesting. Some designers played with these prints in a newer way, creating unique styles with them. We saw items like a chevron bustier gown, a houndstooth moto-vest, plaid ruffle skirt and off-the-shoulder dress. So fresh, wintry and cozy. The perfect mix of formal, uber and chic.
6. Capes & Cape Coats
Capes are hardly a new trend. In fact, these fashion statement pieces are the 17th century comeback trend that has marked all of the late half of 2010s, adopted by red carpet gowns and street style pieces alike. And they’re showing no sign of stopping this fall.
And this year, capes are doing just that – a mix of both decades’ styles. Some designers are using capes to create classic aristocracy. Balmain, McQueen and Chanel created the modern versions of the long black medieval-style cape.
On the other hand, some designers are morphing capes into evolved evening, work and street-wear styles. Such as Max Mara created the office-ready pocketed cape coats, Zuhair Murad came up with fur capes for evening wear, Prada the casual hooded cape coat and Valentino introduced the leather cape for street-style.
Even material and design-wise, we saw a wide variety. From leather to fur to wool, chiffon, lace and silk, there were all sorts of fabrics, and styles like double-breasted coats, tie-up floor-touching capes, cape jackets, cape-gowns, you name it! We also saw surface work like sequins, patchwork, art prints, brocade and workmen-style large pockets.
7. New Rules of Layering
Who says outerwear has to be the outer-most layer? Who says you can only wear a bra under your top? Who says you can’t wear all your shirts together?! Come next decade, all layering rules are thrown out the window. Because designers are creating new rules of layering.
The new fashion trends are all about layering in a unique way. Dolce introduced the sweater vest we usually see only in menswear, worn over a crisp button-up. Valentino and Chanel had layered tops, and Loewe had layered dresses. Givenchy created an odd layering combo of crop jacket worn over tunic worn over pants. Cavalli, Dior, Versace had the bra/tube-top/strapless dress over top combinations.
Some of these are too unwearable IRL, like the bra over top, and some unnecessary, like cape over coat. But others are definitely something I’d like to try, like a sleeveless dress over turtleneck, or vest over shirt. And some I predict will be re-imagined by the likes of Zara to make ’em more wearable – like we may see tops and dresses that give the “layered look”.
8. Using Summer Clothing
Satin spaghetti tops, lace skirts, t-shirts, shorts and see-through blouses – it’s all fair game this winter. New fashion trends for fall dictate that summer clothing be used creatively. Top designer houses like Dior, D&G, Chanel, Versace and many more had tons of looks that layered on summer clothing.
Versace had a look combining a lingerie-inspired skirt with tights and leather jacket. Marc Jacobs paired sheer skirt with fur coat, and Saint Laurent paired shorts with a fur boa. This fall-winter, there’s no reason for your summer clothes to go to the bottom of your closet! Layer them on and create wintery outfits with them – be as creative as you want! Yay!
9. Unique Hardware
We saw over-sized hardware last year, and this year, we’ll be seeing unique types of hardware. Actually, I’m phrasing this trend wrong – it’s usual hardware, but used in fresh ways. Make a statement with some metal this year.
The new fashion trends include fun hardware like grommets, pins, buttons, chains, spikes and zips. Chanel and Louis Vuitton had grommet-bordered scarves. Chanel even had its logo written out with grommets. Alexander McQueen introduced a button and safety-pin decorated tuxedo jacket. Tom Ford & Versace both used chain-links as dress-straps. Versace also had a skirt pulled together using a large safety pin.
10. Oversized Neck Bows & Pussy Bows
Pussy-bow tops and dresses in themselves give a very vintage, feminine, proper and conservative look. And that’s why I’m loving this trend. Over-sized neck-bows make a badass statement while still looking refined, if that even makes sense.
They are very decorative, but not entirely useless, because the extra coverage does make the outfit more conservative and ladylike. And their larger-than-life size makes you look like you’re always a little extra. And isn’t that what fashion is all about?
11. Extreme High Rise Trousers
High-rise trousers are always a good idea, they act like shape-wear, too. And I know many women who prefer them to their bulge-revealing low-rise counterparts.But this fall winter, we’ll be seeing trousers that take high-rising to the next level. Enter (drumrolls) – extreme high rise trousers as one of the new fashion trends.
We saw them in so many designer collections, going up as high as covering the second rib to just below the breast. All with wide-belts sewn on so they give an even higher look. You’ll need a proper “winter body” just to rock these! Well, I may not go as high as the upper rib, but I can definitely try something a couple extra inches above my belly-button.
So how did you like these new fashion trends for fall? What do you envision yourself wearing this season? Lemme know below what your fave and least fave trends are! And as always, #KeepItStylish.
Muaah <3
Shilpa Ahuja the editor-in-chief of ShilpaAhuja.com, which she founded with the goal of inspiring confidence in the modern working woman through fashion. Other than defining the direction of the magazine, she also writes about fashion & beauty trend forecasts, industry analysis, and opinions.
Shilpa’s work has been published in the University of Fashion blog and Jet Airways magazine. She is also an artist, illustrator and cartoonist. She is also the creator of Audrey O., a comic series that represents the lifestyle of millennial women. She enjoys creative writing and world travel. Her art has been exhibited at Harvard Graduate School of Design and the Aroma Hotel, Chandigarh and been published in Chandigarh Times.
Originally from Chandigarh, Shilpa also has a degree in architecture and has worked in interior project management. She is also the author of the book “Designing a Chinese Cultural Center in India”. Shilpa has a Masters in Design Studies degree from Harvard University.
For feedback and questions, please email [email protected].