There is something downright magical about New York Fashion Week in September. Unlike its February counterpart, the fall shows ooze a certain excitement and freshness to the week that remains unmatched. Coupled with the past two years of restricted access and virtual shows, it was reflected in the elevated standard of street style this year. While the designers were hard at work to showcase the best they have for spring, influencers, editors, and celebrities alike were giving stunning glimpses into what we can expect this year.
The good thing is, that there’s a major trend for every facet of the fashion spectrum. Gone are the days of a monolith trend that overtakes the shows, instead fashion is back in the hands of the people. Wearability was the common thread across the array of designers that showed at NYFW. If the remote days proved anything, it’s to not discount the need for comfort in fashion.
As with every season, trends are about what you make of them. Not every trend is for everyone, but I believe everyone can find a trend that aligns with their personal style and makes fashion fun again.
Basics - Ultra 90’s Minimalism
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A notable trend making waves on the runways of cult favorites like Prada and Bottega Veneta is a nod to basics, literally. The looks focus on clean silhouettes that center on simple yet quality pieces, like a white tank top, classic pair of jeans, or nipped-tucked blazer. In lieu of the heavy layering that traditionally occupies the fall season, concentrating on accessories elevates the timeless look. Don’t get it twisted though, a basic doesn’t always mean basic. Like Abria, you can opt for a pop of color to modernize the trend.
Denim on Denim
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Coming off of the minimalist trend is the revival of denim-heavy outfits, a la the 2000s MTV Awards. Unlike early aughts though, the silhouettes are more modern, cleaner, and focused around dynamically playing with the traditional fabric. This trend is all about utilizing denim in a fun, innovative way, bringing the versatility of the fabric to the forefront.
Whether it’s pairing multiple denim pieces or rocking a maxi-length denim skirt, the options are limitless around this emerging trend. Whether you opt for an oversized shacket, a maxi skirt, or a patchwork handbag, this trend is easy to incorporate with anyone’s personal style.
The Longer The Better
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If the first half of 2022 was dominated by the tiniest of mini skirts, expect the second half to be an ode to sweeping, floor-length hemlines. Suit trousers that brush past the bottom of your heel, maxi-length skirts that dust your ankles; fall hemlines are going to great lengths. Inspiring designers like Victor Glemaud, Hanifa, and Jovana Louis exhibited collections that dynamically played with the longer hemline, in some cases playing with the symmetry to add a subtle sex appeal. There are a plethora of ways to incorporate this trend easily, whether you opt for simple or statement is up to you.
Perfectly Pretty Pastels
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In an unusual twist this year, the pretty pastels and ultra-feminine silhouettes of spring are here to stay into autumn and winter. A trend that typically fades with the greenness of the leaves, expect to see more lace details, feathers, fringe, and more notably, pale pink. A sister to spring’s IT color, Barbie Pink, pretty pale pastels are involved in the fall collections of big and small design houses alike.
Return of the Goth
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A stark contrast to the pastels of the Y2K, the resurgence of grunge is the silent star of the season. Following the viral “Teenage Garage Trend” on TikTok, the punk aesthetic of the 2010s is a microtrend that’s quickly gaining steam. Accessories like Doc Martins have been on the rise for years, but now designers are showing tons of distressed leather, harnesses worn naked, and smushed mascara. If you’re hesitant to embrace this new trend, pepper in pieces under layers or with more traditional silhouettes to experiment with the trend.
Nothing To See Here
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There’s no escaping this trend because skin is really, really in. Dubbed ‘revenge dressing’ in certain instances, this trend has a global appeal that has been percolating all year long. For the better part of 2022, there was nary a red carpet without a slew of barely-there dresses, jumpsuits, and mini skirts. The trend has officially made its way to the streets of fashion week, thus revealing itself as a trend that’s here to stay.
According to global shopping platform, Lyst, searches for naked fashion pieces jumped 430% over the last three months, trompe l’oeil body prints (or body illusion prints) specifically. Of the trends listed above, it’s the easiest one to adopt due to the lack of accessories one needs to pull it off. You must simply just slip it on.
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In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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