I Went to Fashion Week—These Are the 6 Trends That Will Be Cool All Year

Nothing is more bittersweet than the end of fashion month. On one hand, we’re able to recoup and rest our feet after gallivanting about in strappy sandals. On the other hand, it can be hard being whisked away in the magic of shifting through Paris street style images or dreaming of wearing the entire Versace F/W 22 collection. There’s also the reality check that hits every editor, every buyer, and every person that lives for fashion—there’s a whole new set of trends to keep track of.

The fashion cycle can move quickly, and for anyone who’s trying to consciously consume, the idea of shopping for every single thing that becomes a viral sensation isn’t sustainable (both for the environment and our wallets). Being able to discern which trends not only lend themselves to becoming a part of your wardrobe effortlessly but which ones can last long past one season is an integral part of shopping more thoughtfully. But if you’re not sure where to even start, don’t fret. 

Ahead, I’ve rounded up the six biggest fashion trends of 2022 based on the spring/summer and fall/winter collections from across the globe. Being on the ground in New York and relying on the trend guides from Milan, London, and Paris from fellow editors, I could piece together which trends will stay relevant throughout the rest of the year. Whether you shop these secondhand or only choose a few to incorporate into your wardrobe, these will keep you looking fresh all year without the fuss. 

1. Never-Ending Cutouts

You know a trend is worth investing in when it’s been poppin’ off a hot minute. Such is the case with cutouts. While they began to resurface in 2020, they stayed ever-present in S/S 22 and F/W 22 collections. Sure, there are subtle iterations of cutouts in dresses and sweaters which make the trend easy to incorporate into any wardrobe. But if you do find yourself wanting to fully commit, opt for a piece with oversize cutouts or never-ending cutouts (seen at Valentino and Christian Siriano). Whatever way you choose to adopt this style, it’s safe to say there’s no end in sight for this trend.

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2. A Case of the Blues

Every season, a few color trends manage to become a sensation (think of the fanfare around Kelly green and bubblegum pink, for example). And while those colors still found their way into recent collections, one color that continues to stand out is cobalt blue. Maybe I have come down with a case of the blues, but can you blame me? Unlike other hues, this color packs a punch without overtly looking too trendy, and it lends itself well transitioning from spring/summer to fall/winter like no other. Need proof? Look to the S/S 22 and F/W 22 collections. From oversize separates in the hue seen at Alvaro Mars and Sankuanz to full-head-to-toe looks seen at LaQuan Smith and Dion Lee, it’s clear as day that cobalt is the low-key coolest color of the year.

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3. To the Max 

While there’s quite the commotion around miniskirts (thank Miu Miu for that), it’s not necessarily a trend that lends itself well to anyone who identifies as a modest dresser or struggles to find pieces that fit their curves. Luckily, one other style dominated S/S 22 and F/W 22 collections: maxi hemlines. Maxis have always been a quintessential part of any wardrobe, but if you want to give this timeless staple a refresh, simply look to recent collections as inspiration. For example, Piferi x Ludovic de Saint Sernin and Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini took the traditional floor-length dress and spiced it up using bright hues and sheer fabrics. Or how Staud and Peter Do took a classic linen maxi skirt and made it sultry by adding high-slits and slightly low-rise waist. This year’s collections made it clear that this hemline is just as hot as any mini—you just have to embrace it to the max.

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4. Not Your Average Fringe

Let me ask you something: When you think of fringe, what comes to mind? Are you immediately thinking about some Western-inspired frolic likely being worn to a music festival? I get it this design detail can go into a territory that’s sometimes a bit cheesy, but if the collections of S/S 22 and F/W 22 taught us anything, with an attentiveness to design, fringe can become fashionable. The proof lies in the tied and bead-adorned fringe dresses found in Jonathan Simaki and Alia’s spring collections or the crystal and leather fringe found in the fall collections of PatBo and Bottega Veneta. These collections remind us that fringe is the perfect way to add texture to any look. 

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5. BBE (Big Bag Energy)

One of the easiest ways to give any wardrobe a little refresh without buying a ton of new pieces is by investing in a new trendy handbag. Of course, finding a bag that melds everyday functionality with what’s trending at the moment isn’t always possible; but atlas, designers threw us a bone this year. Unlike previous years where the micro and mini bags reigned supreme, S/S 22 and F/W 22 collections embodied BBE—aka big bag energy. From oversize shoulder bags spotted in Staud, Fendi, and Tory Burch’s spring collections to massive carryalls in Brandon Maxwell and Gabriella Hearst’s fall collections, it’s clear that big bags are back and will be for the rest of the year.

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6. Platforms at Their Peak

Platform shoes are the peak culmination of the moment. Just when you thought this shoe trend couldn’t peak anymore, 2022 collections took the trend to a new pinnacle. Of course, Versace’s and Valentino’s platforms ignited the excitement around the return of the platform, but since then, they’ve been spotted everywhere from ACNE Studios to Balmain. And while there may be slight trepidation around this trend for anyone who fears heights, I’m here to remind you that there are so many ways to incorporate this trend into your wardrobe—whether in the form of sneakers, sandals, stilettos, or boots, there’s a platform shoe out there that’s meant for you. So it's safe to say that investing in this trend is a safe bet for the rest of the year.

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Next: Nordstrom Has Spoken: These 3 New York Approved Trends Will Be So Big This Fall