The Milan Fashion Week Trends Are SO Italian
Milan Fashion Week is wrapped up and as the jet-setting fashion flock lands in Paris for the final round of shows, we're racking up some Internet frequent-flier miles, perusing all the shows with rapid mouse clicking. New York left us thinking about sexy slits and an everyday take on leather, and the London collections already have us anticipating orange, blue, and a whole lot of exotic skins.
So how did Milan leave its mark? With all kinds of glamour commonly associated with the Italian woman (leopard! gold! fur!), plus a very surprising-for-Fall color palette. Scroll through to study up on all the biggest trends you'll be seeing before you know it.
Pretty Pastels
The most surprising trend to gain traction from the Fall shows is the healthy dose of pastel shades, we noted. The sugary shades are typically associated with Spring collections, but the lightness they bring is always welcome in our eyes. Look for feminine dresses, yes, but also sharp coats and loose pants.
Pretty Pastels
Missoni
Pretty Pastels
Jil Sander
Pretty Pastels
Luisa Beccaria
Pretty Pastels
Ermanno Scervino
Pretty Pastels
Genny
Pretty Pastels
Giorgio Armani
Pretty Pastels
Gucci
Ladylike Leopard
It's with a resounding cheer that we can confirm: the fashion world isn't over leopard yet! The classic bold print was used on coats and dresses, but more subtle incarnations were spotted too, in case you prefer your feline understated. Either way, embrace it next season for a quick dose of Milanese sex appeal.
Ladylike Leopard
Dsquared
Ladylike Leopard
Giorgio Armani
Ladylike Leopard
Salvatore Ferragamo
Ladylike Leopard
Gucci
Ladylike Leopard
Roberto Cavalli
Ladylike Leopard
Simonetta Ravizza
Ladylike Leopard
Ermanno Scervino
Ladylike Leopard
Sportmax
Fur Accents
Fur on the Fall runways is nothing new, but the way we saw it walking down the Milan catwalks felt different. There were still plenty of full-on coats and throat-covering snoods, but strips and patches were also spotted on dresses, tops, and jackets. While the trimmings might not keep you toasty, they'll certainly serve to add intrigue to any look.
Fur Accents
Blumarine
Fur Accents
Dsquared
Fur Accents
Prada
Fur Accents
Costume National
Fur Accents
Fendi
Fur Accents
Ermanno Scervino
Fur Accents
Iceberg
Fur Accents
Marni
Fur Accents
Emilio Pucci
The Midas Touch
Designers had the Midas touch this season — and not just for evening wear. Runways delivered both special occasion pieces and more casual wear washed in gold, giving even shearling-lined jackets and knits a high-impact finish. Going gold may just be the easiest way to turn heads come Fall.
The Midas Touch
Emilio Pucci
The Midas Touch
Dsquared2
The Midas Touch
Salvatore Ferragamo
The Midas Touch
Max Mara
The Midas Touch
Alberta Ferretti
The Midas Touch
Dolce & Gabbana
The Midas Touch
Moschino
The Midas Touch
Prada
The Midas Touch
Missoni
Femme Suiting
We may have borrowed the suit from the boys, but this season, the menswear staple is getting a decidedly feminine finish. With metallic bouclé, high-impact prints, sexier necklines, and skinny-fit trousers, these suits were made to show off a woman's personality — and her curves.
Femme Suiting
Emilio Pucci
Femme Suiting
Emporio Armani
Femme Suiting
Versace
Femme Suiting
Giorgio Armani
Femme Suiting
Gucci
Femme Suiting
Roberto Cavalli
Femme Suiting
MSGM
Animal Instincts
If you like all things kitsch or adorable, Milan has something for you! We were surprised by the sheer amount of creatures on the Fall 2014 runways, and the variation was enough to fill any of the world's largest zoos. Expect sweet birds, friendly foxes, and yep, even a chihuahua.
Animal Instincts
Alberta Ferretti
Animal Instincts
Dolce & Gabbana
Animal Instincts
Au Jour le Jour
Animal Instincts
Antonio Marras
Animal Instincts
Stella Jean
Shoulders With Space
Designers constantly tweak volume and shape in order to alter a season's silhouette — and while we've seen big or sharp shoulders before, Fall 2014 toned it down a notch (while still being a little bolder than your average shape). The extra oomph makes power dressing a cinch.
Shoulders With Space
Fendi
Shoulders With Space
Les Copains
Shoulders With Space
Marni
Shoulders With Space
Antonio Marras
Shoulders With Space
N 21
Shoulders With Space
Prada
Shoulders With Space
Tod's