In early September, I packed (meticulously, I might add), boarded a plane, and headed to the Super Bowl of the fashion industry: New York Fashion Week. While the primary prerogative is gathering insights on what to expect in upcoming seasons (all collections shown were for Spring and Summer 2023), a close runner-up is taking a look at all NYFW street styles.
If there’s ever a time to wear exactly what your heart desires, it’s NYFW. Nothing is too loud or too bold or too flashy, absolutely everything is fair game. When you look around, it’s impossible not to feel the change in everyone’s outfit. For people who live for fashion, it is an excuse to show themselves exactly how they want, without restrictions.
As individualistic and unconventional as many street style looks were, there were definitely general themes of items that people chose to include in their outfits. These were the top five street style trends I noticed during NYFW 2022.
Metallics were predicted to be one of the most sought-after shoe trends of 2022, so seeing a sea of silver shoes at NYFW came as no surprise. But it gave me a little jolt of dopamine nonetheless. Cowboy boots, Mary Janes, loafers – I saw them all worn in a silver hue. They were the first thing that caught your eye, regardless of what the rest of the outfit implied.
Beyond shoes, silver was used as an accent throughout handbags, body chains, belts, and the like.
With Barbiecore booming this summer, it’s no surprise that NYFW street style heavily featured the saturated hue. From using it as a pop of color with shoes and accessories to all-out hot pink looks, I couldn’t look around me without noticing that hot pink was everywhere. During a season that is known for its deep, moody hues, the color was a refreshing injection of fun that I’m looking forward to incorporating into my fall looks. (When you see me wearing my magenta blazer repeatedly, don’t be surprised.)
If you think that sequins are reserved for nights out and Harry Styles concerts, you are sorely mistaken. NYFW street style had people decked out in sequins, sparkles, and glitter in every color of the rainbow. Choosing an outfit focused on glitz, instead of pumping up the breaks when things started to get intense, they stepped on the gas. More was absolutely more.
You know the sunglasses your dad would buy for $3.99 at a gas station during a road trip? As far as NYFW street style goes, they became high fashion. The sports aesthetic moved away from athleisure and took a step towards athletic fashion. Sweatpants, Nike and Adidas logos, and T-shirts transformed from sportswear into something completely new.