7 Fashion Week Trends to Wear Right Now

Fashion Week just wrapped up in New York City, and while the Fall clothes we saw paraded down runways won't land in stores for months, we can celebrate all the amazing looks we saw this week by wearing items we already have in our closet in new and different ways. Taking cues from the biggest and best designers, here are seven ways you can wear the hottest fall trends to emerge from Fashion Week!


1. Lovely Layers at Narciso Rodriguez

Narciso Rodriguez piled on the glamour this week by sending completely covered models down the runway. We saw coats layered over dresses, long coats on top of pants, and dresses layered over boots. Tights are the one of the easiest ways to wear the layered look right now. Layer tights under dresses and skirts (black tights looks chicest). Throw on a dress and trench coat over tights while the weather is still chilly. When the thermostat rises, lose the coat and stockings. To get the layered look, you don't need to buy anything new-just recycle what you already have in your closet, choosing brighter colors as the weather warms up.


2. Pretty Pleats at Vera Wang

We can always count on Vera Wang to show us women how to make ourselves look and feel as beautiful as possible, and this season she did it with pleated chiffon dresses that make us want to run out and throw a tea party ASAP! Take pleats to the street by looking for light, airy, and even sheer fabrics that achieve a breezy effect to imitate the gauzy pleats shown at Vera Wang. To avoid looking like a schoolgirl, stay away from above-the-knee skirts and instead go for pleated dresses and tops with pleated accents. To avoid getting burned out on this trend before spring arrives, start wearing pieces with small amounts of pleats now. For example, look for pleated waistbands, angled pleats, and tiered pleats instead of allover pleats.

Try Shopbop, who has a great See by Chloe pleated dress ($730, above), indie brand EmersonMade, and anything Halston Heritage. Give pleated items a tough edge by pairing them with fur or leather, as seen at Vera Wang.


3. Chic Ponchos and Cozy Fur at Alexander Wang and Joseph Altuzarra

This week, Alexander Wang and Joseph Altuzarra tempted us with throw-on-and-go ponchos and lush fur accents (when we imitate these trends, we'll be sticking to faux fur). If you still have a poncho in your closet from when they were trendy in 2004 and 2005, bust it out now. You will have been ahead of the trend once they arrive in stores later this summer. Adding faux fur accents to your spring looks in the form of jackets with faux fur collars and hair accessories with faux fur poms is a great way to wear this trend when the weather warms up. Right now, you can save at end-of-season sales at places like ModCloth and then hold onto your purchases to wear when it gets colder this fall.


4. Sophisticated Polka Dots at Marc Jacobs

It looks like Marc Jacobs might be a closet fan of Minnie Mouse, because this season at Marc Jacobs, it's all about polka dots (see top photo)! We noticed polka dot tights, skirt suits, berets, bag, dresses, shoes, vests, and more! The key to wearing this ultra-fun and feminine pattern right now is choosing big bold prints. For skirts and blouses, look for polka dot patterns where the dots are larger than a quarter. Scoop up black tights with any size polka dots, from tiny to quarter size. Stay away from colored polka dot tights, as anything besides black can look too clown-like and costume-y. If you're bold enough to try wearing polka dot from head to toe, as seen on the runway, stick to a neutral palette to keep the look sophisticated. Try layering a polka dot blouse under a cashmere shell, tucked into a skirt, or for a more edgy look, paired with black jeans and boots.

Forever21 has tons of super affordable polka dot styles right now. Kate Spade always carries tops and dresses in this flirty pattern and Boden USA has a large polka dot print dress ($128, above) that we're loving.


5. Daring Mixed Fabrics at Preen

Preen's show was all about wearing clothes made of different fabrics, sometimes so different that they didn't seem to go together at all. If you're one for taking risks in the name of high fashion, this trend is for you! One easy way to try the mixed fabric trend is to look for a cardigan with sequins on it. Another way to wear mixed fabrics is by pairing a heavily textured linen or cotton skirt with a flowing, satiny blouse.

The Shaded Glory skirt from Anthropologie ($88, above) could go with any breezy blouse.

This Emerson Made blouse ($148, above) would go well with a heavily textured skirt. Chances are you have a chambray shirt in your closet from when they were super popular last spring. Try wearing your chambray shirt tucked into a leather or suede skirt to pull off this trend.


6. Vibrant Color Blocking at Preen, DKNY, and Derek Lam

Color blocking happens when you wear two solid (usually bright) colors next to each other. To try this technique, layer bold pieces from your closet. Try wearing a white shirt, black blazer and solid skirt together to create blocks of color with your outfit. If you're open to daring color combinations, try red with black, blue with black, and purple with blue (as seen at Preen). Or take a cue from DKNY's show and pair pink with orange. Finish off your look with black tights and black pumps to keep it chic.


Gorgeous Handbags for Every Occasion


7. Cool Crop tops at Vena Cava

We hope you're fans of early '90s fashion, because that's exactly where Vena Cava pulled inspiration for their show this season. The hot item on the runway was crop tops. Yup-those belly-bearing shirts that hit just above high-waisted skirts and pants. This trend might be one best suited for the catwalk, or for your photo album containing pictures from 15 years ago, but if you're brave enough to try this trend at home, visit Forever21, American Apparel, and Victoria's Secret's clothing catalog to find crop tops, or go DIY with this trend and do like Cher did in the 1995 movie Clueless and take scissors to any old tee.


More from Kaboodle:
Over-the-Top Cocktail Rings You're Going to Love
Lingerie That'll Make You Look and Feel Good
Sexy Shoes to Spice Up Your Wardrobe
Workout Wear You'll Actually Want to Wear
Lauren Conrad's Spring Kohl's Collection
Celebrity Trend Alert: '70s-Inspired Flared Pants
Wild Shoes You've Got to See to Believe!


Connect with Kaboodle:
Follow us on Twitter!
Find us on Facebook!
Become a part of Kaboodle's community!

Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

Image via PR Photos