7 Must-Have Trends from New York Fashion Week September 2023

Outfits That'll Get Anna Wintour's Nod of Approval

September 26, 2023
Last Updated: March 3, 2025
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
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Whether you're a trendsetter or simply prefer grabbing the first unwrinkled outfit off your bed, Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada reminds us that our clothing choices are influenced by the ever-evolving fashion industry. New York Fashion Week, in particular, plays a crucial role in determining what will find its way into your wardrobe, with designers attuning themselves to the shifting winds of style, and buyers forecasting what's about to hit the fashion scene. Let's dive into the hottest trends from NYFW September 2023.

New York Fashion Week's Colour Palette This year, we bid adieu to Barbie pink and welcome a new wave of bold colours. Yellow stole the spotlight, with Coach's highlighter hue, Helmut Lang's rich buttercup, Kate Spade's electric neon, and Prabal Gurung's zesty lemon. Designers like Tory Burch explored softer shades like sage green, while Proenza Schouler embraced sky blue. Ralph Lauren and LaPointe made a statement with metallics, featuring gold and copper-dipped dresses, separates, and accessories.

Top Trends From New York Fashion Week 2023 Drop Waist Dresses The drop-waist trend, where the waistline sits at or below the hips, made waves at NYFW. Collina Strada and Rachel Comey used draping techniques to mimic this effect, while Christian Siriano and AREA showcased ball gowns with dramatic low-slung waistlines. This trend is my personal favourite and flatters a variety of body types.

Denim on Denim The Canadian tuxedo had its moment during Fashion Week, from Ralph Lauren's denim-on-denim ensemble (complete with matching trousers and blazers) to standout denim trench coats by Private Policy, and floor-sweeping denim skirts from Theophilio. Expect to see plenty of denim in NYFW street style.

Matching Sets Matching sets aren't limited to loungewear. Brands like Coach, Tory Burch, Khaite, Grace Ling, and Helmut Lang showcased the elegance of monochromatic sets, proving that opulence can be achieved without an abundance of colour and design.

Corsets and Coquettes Drawing inspiration from aesthetics like balletcore, cottagecore, and the romantic eras of the 18th and 19th centuries, this trend exudes a sultry Old English elegance. Coach, Christian Siriano, Kim Shui, and Wiederhoeft sent models down the runway adorned in delicate tulle, lace, ribbon, and ruffle detailing, along with corsets featuring antique foliage patterns. It’s a whimsical, dollish dress-up style, offering a softer contrast to the bold and flashy elements of Barbiecore.

Sheer Everything Designers replaced basic fabrics with sheer and see-through materials. Michael Kors featured open-knit dresses and sets, while Altuzarra, PRISCAVera, and Adeam added layers of tulle to dresses and blazers. If you're concerned about the practicality of sheer attire, layering these see-through garments is a simple way to maintain a flattering look, and are great choices for New York Fashion Week outfits.

Sequin and Sparkles This party-approved trend sparkled on the runway. Colin LoCascio and Sergio Hudson incorporated paillettes into otherwise understated garments, from cardigans to dresses. Infusing your wardrobe with sequin pieces is an easy way to bring NYFW glam into your style.

NYFW 2023 Accessories Bags and Belts Designers revitalized traditional accessories with playful patterns, sizes, shapes, and silhouettes. Kate Spade and Staud flaunted ultra-compact bags, while Sixdo, Tibi, and 3.1 Phillip Lim opted for oversized and relaxed totes. Bag layering became a hot trend, and models in Coach and Rachel Comey shows sported armfuls of bags. Designers also embraced a departure from conventional patterns, opting instead for 3D florals reminiscent of rosettes. Bold statement belts also had its moment, ranging from dramatic waist-cinching styles showcased by Falguni Shane Peacock to timeless leather pieces featured by Michael Kors and Sergio Hudson.

Now that you're up to speed on the latest fashion trends from NY Fashion Week 2023, head to the nearest shopping mall with confidence, knowing you'll find stylish and practical pieces bound to make a lasting impression.

By Christina Armanious