Cargo styling, like five-pocket jeans a motorcycle jacket, can be endlessly reinterpreted and still retain its timeless identity. For next season, the military or utility-derived inspiration is there, but fabrics are softer and colors are gentler. Newness comes in gathers, channel elastic, drawstrings, subtly contrasting fabrics, rib-knit trims, cutouts and layered effects. Accessories lose any aggressive edge as well, with squashy constructions for handbags and footwear.
Big giant sweaters were a thing in Cruise/Resort collections, and we are seeing more of them on the women who walked the runways in recent menswear shows. The sweaters can be cable-knit or ribbed, or a mix of stitches. Extra long sleeves, stretched-out turtlenecks and drop-shoulders emphasize the oversized fit. Sleeves can be widened as well, for a cozy I-just-threw-this-on look. These bulky sweaters look newest when styled with tailored shorts or soft dresses, or front-tucked into waisted jeans.
There’s a new matchy-matchy combo this season — pants layered with a matching skirt. The skirts can be long and graceful for Contemporary customers or short and sassy for Juniors. Many of the skirts tie-on apron-style, but some are created with built-in panels. Perhaps the look got its start with all the dress-over-pants layering seen on the streets — and emerging on runways as well.
Mock or turtleneck pullovers are becoming the new ‘it’ accessory. Layering thin knits under dresses, sweatshirts and light jackets creates a Mod-retro yet contemporary look for next Fall. This versatile base-layer can provide a bright contrast pop, or can be in a similar hue as other pieces for a subtle tonal effect. Details like cropped or slit hemlines, flared sleeves and dimensional ribs freshen up the basic item.
The latest denim items draw from the 1980s for silhouettes as well as finishes. Pegged legs, culotte shorts and acid wash never looked so good.