Spring 2019 Fashion Trends From the Runway You'll Be Wearing in No Time

Some call fashion frivolous, but ready-to-wear trends can actually tell us a lot about what’s happening not just in the industry, but also in the world at large. And last month, the 400-plus Spring 2019 shows in New York, London, Milan and Paris gave us a lot to mull over. There was Hedi Slimane’s provocative Celine debut; Alessandro Michele’s reliably quirky, first-ever Paris-based Gucci collection (look out for his Spring 2019 wares on the red carpet at this year’s “Notes on ‘Camp’”-themed Met Gala); Chanel’s faux-seaside getaway (a favorite of buyers, even if it was noticeably lacking in diversity).

The collections themselves seemed to comment on the (raging dumpster fire of uncertainty that is our) current political climate, with designers falling into various factions: the escapists filled their spring lines with vacation-themed or over-the-top princess-y looks, the defiant invited women to reclaim their sexuality in unabashedly revealing clothing, the forward-thinking set out to erase the line between menswear and womenswear entirely, championing a new, genderless era of dressing.

Now, well in advance of next spring, we’ve got the 411 on all of the Spring 2019 trends worth knowing — i.e., the ones that we think will stick. Spoiler alert: it’s looking like bold-shouldered blazers, statement cardigans, feathery shoes and highly impractical handbags will be everywhere in six months. Shop accordingly.

[ Next: 15 New York Fashion Week Spring 2019 Trends We Can’t Wait to Try ]

Spring 2019 Trends

Big, Boxy Blazers

Big, boxy and exaggeratedly shoulder-padded blazers were all the rage among Spring 2019 showgoers, and the collections followed suit (har, har). On runways across New York, London, Milan and Paris, no single item turned up more than a loose-cut (kind of ill-fitting) blazer. Honestly, we're still warming up to this trend — is anyone else reminded of Kanye and Lil Pump's "I Love It" video? — but we're here for the propagation of non-gender dressing.

Acne Studios Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Big, Boxy Blazers

Balenciaga Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Big, Boxy Blazers

Erdem Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Big, Boxy Blazers

Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Big, Boxy Blazers

Victoria Beckham Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Cool Cardigans

Yes, cardigans can be cool. Sexy, even. For Spring 2019, the once oppressively prim-and-proper sweaters got the high-fashion treatment at Versace, Gucci, Loewe, Marc Jacobs, Christopher Kane and more. Equipped with ruffled trim, glittering epaulets, kitschy brooches and oversized buttons, these were a far cry from the frumpy, pilling things you use to ward off aggressive office air-conditioning. Bonus points if you wear them unbuttoned to just above the navel.

Gucci Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Cool Cardigans

Christopher Kane Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Cool Cardigans

Loewe Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Cool Cardigans

Versace Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Cool Cardigans

Marc Jacobs Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Geometric Bags

What was it with geometric bags this season? Perhaps inspired by the stunning success of Balenciaga’s Triangle purse, designers were all about the handheld circles (Marine Serre, Chanel, Peter Pilotto) and squares (Louis Vuitton, Versace, Etro, Dolce & Gabbana). Will they actually fit any/all of your essentials? Probably not, but that's beside the point.

Chanel Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Geometric Bags

Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Geometric Bags

Etro Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Geometric Bags

Marine Serre Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Geometric Bags

Peter Pilotto Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Sheer Layers

As evidenced by New York’s Spring 2019 shows, a sheer dress layered over boy shorts (and, if you’re feeling especially modest, a bra) is still very much the look — all hail Maria Grazia Chiuri. However, if you're looking to show only a hint of skin, or to add interest to your outfit without obscuring any part of it, next spring will be the time to do it. At runways across the globe, sheer-paneled tops and see-through underlays and overlays abounded. Peek-a-boo.

Christian Dior Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Sheer Layers

Jil Sander Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Sheer Layers

Luar Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Sheer Layers

Maryam Nassir Zadeh Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Sheer Layers

Simone Rocha Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Beach Vibes

From the chunky platform flip-flops at Jil Sander and Salvatore Ferragamo to the scuba gear at Calvin Klein and Marine Serre to the actual lifeguard chairs and cabanas at Thom Browne to Chanel’s seaside extravaganza to the dizzying number of tie-dye swirls on runways across all four fashion cities, it was clear designers had one thing on their minds: escapism. Per Karl Lagerfeld and Raf Simons (respectively), ground your beachy neoprene and spandex with more terrestrial items like denim jeans and ruched midi skirts on days when you can’t get away.

Calvin Klein Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Beach Vibes

Chanel Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Beach Vibes

Marine Serre Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Beach Vibes

Sportmax Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Beach Vibes

Paco Rabanne Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Over-The-Top Couture

Princess ruffles, lace and whimsical proportions were big themes for Spring 2019. We very much enjoy watching designers’ eveningwear offerings get weirder and more exaggerated with each passing season. Here’s to fashion that demands attention.

Bora Aksu Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Over-The-Top Couture

Delpozo Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Over-The-Top Couture

Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Over-The-Top Couture

Erdem Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Over-The-Top Couture

Rodarte Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Feathers Everywhere

Feathers have been back on-trend for the past few seasons, and it doesn’t appear the light-as-air accents are going away anytime soon. Notable looks included the fanciful, plume-tipped dresses at Brock Collection and Valentino and the full-on Josephine Baker skirts at Rochas. Fluttery accessories also had their moment: Ostrich feather sandals floated down the runway at Prabal Gurung and MGSM, avian-inspired ear and hair pieces tickled our senses at Loewe and Dries Van Noten, respectively.

Loewe Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Feathers Everywhere

Prabal Gurung Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Feathers Everywhere

Rochas Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Feathers Everywhere

Simone Rocha Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Feathers Everywhere

Brock Collection Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Super-Short Hems

Get ready to show some leg: Micro-mini dresses are a must-have for Spring 2019. Sky-high hemlines were omnipresent on the runways, making especially memorable appearances at Versace, Prada, Saint Laurent and Celine. Go barelegged or slip on some statement tights; ground the look with stilettos, platforms, boots, brogues, whatever you damn well please. (Although, pro tip, a flesh-tone heel is an instant leg-lengthener.)

Celine Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Super-Short Hems

Molly Goddard Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Super-Short Hems

Prada Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Super-Short Hems

Saint Laurent Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Super-Short Hems

Ermanno Scervino Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Netting

While we’re on the subject of figure-flaunting frocks, net dresses were another Spring 2019 standout. The lovechild of the sheer dress and all-artisanal-everything trends, these diamond-patterned pieces can be worn with naught but underwear or layered over virtually any outfit to add instant oomph.

Louis Vuitton Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Netting

Chloé Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Netting

Ports 1961 Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Netting

Calcaterra Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Netting

J.W. Anderson Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Sparkle and Shine

“Sequins reflect optimism,” Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, the designers behind Monse and Oscar de la Renta, once said. Well, if that's true, given the uncertainty in the news as of late, we're in need of all the glitter. And for Spring 2019, Ashish, Marc Jacobs, Altuzarra, Dries Van Noten and many, many more delivered. Hope you didn’t delete your KiraKira+ app.

Marc Jacobs Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Sparkle and Shine

Altuzarra Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Sparkle and Shine

Ashish Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Sparkle and Shine

Christopher Kane Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Sparkle and Shine

Dries Van Noten Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Statement Raincoats

The days of choosing between fashion and function are over. In a month where there was nearly as much rain as there was shine, designers sent every type of raincoat imaginable down the runways. Expect to see clear PVC coats covered in Magic Marker-type squiggles, bright yellow raincoats with flouncy A-line hems and lots of trusty trench silhouettes braving their way through next April’s showers.

Moschino Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Statement Raincoats

Gareth Pugh Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Statement Raincoats

Daks Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Statement Raincoats

Mugler Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Statement Raincoats

Agnona Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Glam Utilitarian

Not long ago it would have been inconceivable that pastel-pink utility overalls would show up on an Alberta Ferretti runway. But no more. Glam-leisure has given way to glam-utilitarianism, and labels that know what’s good for them (the aforementioned Ferretti, Sacai, Christian Dior, Givenchy, and Stella McCartney, to name a few) are making pants with extra-large cargo pockets, Gorpcore-approved fishing vests, military-inspired miniskirts, et. al. Take a page from Clare Waight Keller’s playbook and pair cropped olive trousers with an extra-long cloth belt, tailored black blazer and point-toe pumps. So chic.

Givenchy Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Glam Utilitarian

Sacai Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Glam Utilitarian

Christian Dior Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Glam Utilitarian

Alberta Ferretti Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Glam Utilitarian

Stella McCartney Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Logomania

This is the trend that never ends. Come spring, Fendi’s logo-print Perspex jacket and Chanel's knit set will be the It-items to have. Among the streetwear set, expect the Pyer Moss x Fubu collab and pieces from Lacoste’s jaw-dropping rebrand to #trend. (Side note: The lookbook is chock-full of genius layering tricks.)

Pyer Moss Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Logomania

Lacoste Spring 2019; Image: Courtesy of Lacoste/Vogue
Logomania

House of Holland Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Logomania

Chanel Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Logomania

Balenciaga Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Bleached Denim

After years of being a punch line, acid-wash denim is actually back. (Blame Alessandro Michele, who got the ball rolling when he sent tie-dye jeans down Gucci’s London catwalk during Resort 2017.) This season, it showed up everywhere from Y/Project to Celine to MSGM to Christian Dior. Isabel Marant even did bleach-speckled boots, which we fully expect to see on Rihanna any day now.

Isabel Marant Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Bleached Denim

Balmain Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Bleached Denim

Y/Project Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Bleached Denim

Marques'Almeida Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Bleached Denim

MSGM Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Bike Shorts

Bike shorts were everywhere this summer — so much so that you’d think the trend was certifiably dead. But no, far from it. Welcome to the new age of fashion, where popular opinion (a.k.a. Instagram ubiquity) dictates what’s on the runways, not the other way around. To stave off boredom, wear yours with sculptural toppers in unexpected materials (leather, PVC, collaged Nike tube socks) come spring.

Fendi Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Bike Shorts

Off-White Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Bike Shorts

Acne Studios Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Bike Shorts

Jacquemus Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Bike Shorts

Roberto Cavalli Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Bold Colors

Another trend equally popular in the streets and on the runways: bold, mood-boosting brights. Valentino, David Koma, Akris, Rochas and more dialed up the color to 100 (imagine that figure in red, italicized, with a diagonal underscore), opting for fabrics in Pepto pink, tangy tangerine, electric green, vibrant cherry, acidic yellow, etc. The general sentiment? Wear them head-to-toe or not at all, and prepare for lots of IRL and virtual attention, should you Insta-document the occasion. Color = clickbait.

Rochas Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Bold Colors

David Koma Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Bold Colors

Valentino Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Bold Colors

Blumarine Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Bold Colors

Akris Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Head-to-Toe Neutrals

That said, a second school of designers — Burberry, Maison Margiela, Chloé, Uma Wang, Tom Ford, Ann Demeulemeester, Jil Sander — went the opposite route, favoring a cleansing, soothing palette of head-to-toe neutrals (beige, off-white, coffee, caramel). Textural details like ribbed knit, ruffles, lace trim, pleating, leather harnesses, nylon headscarves and face-obscuring veils (a major Spring 2019 microtrend) added interest and excitement. Several of the looks felt very old Céline.

Maison Margiela Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Head-to-Toe Neutrals

Ann Demeulemeester Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Head-to-Toe Neutrals

Jil Sander Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Head-to-Toe Neutrals

Tom Ford Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Head-to-Toe Neutrals

Uma Wang Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Polka Dots

Women are hungry for a new kind of femininity. (Perhaps its because they’re tired of having their bodies policed by political entities made up largely of men?) This, we think, explains the continued reign of the once-wholesome polka dot. At Dolce & Gabbana, the timeless motif showed up on PJs, tuxes and sexy, 50s-inspired dresses. At Burberry, a sheer polka dot midi dress came paired with boy shorts and nothing else. Max Mara did cool, dotted, colorblocked suiting; Andrew Gn riffed on the pattern’s twee-ness with an asymmetric-hem frock with heavily exaggerated ruffles.

Andrew Gn Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Polka Dots

Burberry Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Polka Dots

Max Mara Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Polka Dots

Prada Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Polka Dots

Shiatzy Chen Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Prints on Prints on Prints

For Spring 2019, designers set about convincing us that when it comes to print, more is more. Some looks (like the contrasting floral patterns at Paco Rabanne and Etro) leaned more boho, some (like the art-splattered pieces at Marni and Matty Bovan) more abstract. Overall, the general styling rule was this: The more graphic the prints, the better.

Thom Browne Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Prints on Prints on Prints

Etro Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Prints on Prints on Prints

Marni Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Prints on Prints on Prints

Matty Bovan Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree
Prints on Prints on Prints

Paco Rabanne Spring 2019; Image: Imaxtree