Four style takeaways from the catwalks of NYFW

September is a tricky time because while we’re transitioning from warm to cold, designers are showcasing their wears for the following spring season. It can be equal parts overwhelming and exciting, but the trick is knowing how to take these trend forecasts and bring them into your wardrobe right now (because you’re always ahead of the curve!). So how does the everyday woman take a catwalk look and make it her own? She’s not afraid to infuse summer palettes into wearable winter-wear and knows that the key to transitional dressing is light layers. For anyone still mourning the loss of summer but ready to move ahead with her wardrobe, here are four easy-to-follow takeaways from the catwalks of New York Fashion Week.

Life in technicolour

Prabal Gurung SS19. Source, vogue.it

By default, our autumn and winter wardrobes are usually reflective of shorter days and less-appealing weather. Deep palettes of burgundy, orange, brown, grey and black become the rudimentary go-to. Nepalese-American designer Prabal Gurung’s bright punchy bursts of fuchsia, canary yellow and lime are exactly what you’d expect for spring/summer. But you’d be surprised at how easy it is to incorporate zesty, off-season colours into your winter wear.

“A voyage most inspired by my recent travels from indigenous villages of Nepal to the urban streets of Tokyo, London, Mumbai, Paris, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi and New York”

Inspired by “nomadic voyage”, Prabal Gurung’s showcase was a technicolour explosion inspired by the global community. It’s Gurung’s most flamboyant collection since his SS11 ready-to-wear when similar colours were displayed. How does the average woman translate this into an everyday look in winter? A lime green mesh skirt layered over leather trousers or stirrup leggings gives new meaning to tough femininity. An acid yellow, well-fitted, long-sleeved, round neck top (above) pairs perfectly with vintage-wash denim or a billowing midi-skirt for an evening switch-up. Who says knitwear can’t be evening-appropriate? Ditch the dress instead for embellished knitwear and a sophisticated chino for a look that screams comfort and trend-forward. Speaking about his collection on Instagram, Gurung explains where his inspiration for this colourful collection originated from: “A voyage most inspired by my recent travels from indigenous villages of Nepal to the urban streets of Tokyo, London, Mumbai, Paris, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi and New York. Today, I invite you to experience my cross-cultural journey, one that sees no borders, tied together through our ability to use colour as a universal language”.

Your next business meeting needs a bandana and pussy-bow

Kate Spade SS19. Source, Jason Lloyd Evans

9AM meetings never have to be dull again. Strike the balance between warm and stylish with a simple – yet effortlessly stylish – scarf-cum-bandana. The simple scarf has been given transformative powers for the coming season and adds the perfect dose of energy to an otherwise ordinary ensemble. Do it with jeans and a chunky knit, or take it up a level with a powerful two-piece. The best part? You can have a bad hair day and no one will ever know. Speaking of headgear, the fun doesn’t have to stop at your forehead: keep necks warm and shirts interesting with a complimentary bow to keep your bandana company. If nothing else, it will prove as excellent conversation fodder when you arrive at a meeting 20-minutes late.

Vintage streetwear labels will reign supreme

Pyer Moss SS19. Source, Jason Llyod Evans

Pyer Moss’ SS19 was probably the most stand-out show of NYFW thus far for a number of reasons. Firstly, the show was awash with important cultural references and celebrated black culture and the narrative of black culture today. T-shirts read “See us now?” and “Stop calling 911 on the culture,” referencing the recent reports of black people allegedly being imprisoned for no just reason. An all-black cast walked in pieces designed in collaboration with black artist Derrick Adams, as well as FUBU, the ’90s-era streetwear brand founded by Daymond Johns (and an iconic black American businessman and speaker), signalling a return to OG streetwear brands like Kappa and Reebok. The location was as impactful as the clothes; a multi-purpose heritage venue in Brooklyn’s Weeksville neighbourhood, which was one of America’s first free black communities. Weeksville was founded by African-American James Weeks in 1838, just 11 years after slavery was abolished in New York.

An oversized cardigan is the secret to wardrobe success for AW18

Tory Burch SS18. Source, Jason Llyod Evans

If you’re looking for style-kudos this season and next then you’d be wise to try a cardigan. If I was to distil the vibe for AW18 knitwear down to one key reference, I’d say take inspiration from granny’s favourite tea cosy-style cardigan, and this was echoed over the weekend at the Tory Burch catwalk show where oversized, brightly coloured (again with the bright colours!!) cardis played an integral part in the show’s makeup. Crochet is cool, bobbles are the business and patchwork is the pattern of choice. If you need further convincing that cardis are cool, take inspiration from the model above and team your knitwear with relaxed trousers, trainers and toughened-up accessories.