Fall/Winter Fashion 2024: Embracing Statement Silhouettes and Bold Accents
As we transition into the winter months, the fashion world is buzzing with fresh takes on classic styles, with major fashion houses leading the way. This year, it's all about blending whimsical shapes, oversized layers, and bold accents to create effortless yet luxurious looks. Let’s dive into some standout trends, highlighting how top designers are interpreting them on the runway, along with Canadian brands making their mark.
Baby Doll Dresses with Balloon Skirts
This season, designers are having fun with playful yet structured shapes, and baby doll dresses with voluminous balloon skirts are at the forefront. Dior and Giambattista Valli have both embraced this trend, offering delicate, feminine dresses with exaggerated silhouettes. Dior showcased frothy, puffed skirts paired with tailored blazers for a balanced yet whimsical look, while Giambattista Valli emphasized romanticism with shorter hemlines and ultra-voluminous skirts.
I would say this style is quite aligned with the “old money” aesthetic we see on Instagram and really does look timeless. My dress below is from BabyBoo, which as a Canadian, is quite expensive due to duties so I would opt for checking out other online retailers but they do have beautiful dresses and are definitely embracing this trend.
Canadian brand Mackage also adds a unique twist with their structured outerwear designed to complement these playful shapes. Their tailored coats can be layered over baby doll dresses, enhancing the silhouette while providing warmth for the cooler months.
Oversized Sweaters, Coats, and Messy Hair
Comfort meets chic with oversized sweaters and coats making waves on the fall 2024 runways. The Row and Max Mara led the charge, presenting oversized knits and coats in neutral tones, ideal for effortless layering. The Row's collections featured minimalist, oversized cashmere sweaters worn with shirt dresses and sleek boots, while Max Mara introduced voluminous wool coats with wide belts, offering structure to the otherwise relaxed shapes.
Mackage is also known for their luxe outerwear, combining oversized silhouettes with stylish details. Their oversized puffer jackets and cozy knitwear not only provide warmth but are also designed to be fashionable and functional, making them perfect for the stylish Canadian winter.
You can see that my hair below appears quite natural and not overly styled or overdone. The messy chic look is undoubtedly on trend right now! A good sea salt spray for your hair can certainly help you achieve that effortlessly tousled appearance that many people are striving for.
Voluminous Silhouettes and Oversized Scarves
Voluminous silhouettes have been a staple of the fall runways, with Balenciaga and Stella McCartney showcasing oversized shapes designed to make a statement. Balenciaga’s exaggerated outerwear featured coats so large they almost swallowed the models whole, while Stella McCartney's collection highlighted sustainability with oversized scarves made from eco-friendly materials. These scarves, draped dramatically over shoulders or wrapped multiple times around the neck, offer both style and warmth.
Canadian brand Lole excels in creating activewear and outerwear that aligns with this trend. Their oversized, sustainable scarves are perfect for layering over voluminous pieces, adding both warmth and a touch of flair to any outfit.
Wine Hues and Animal Prints
Fall wouldn’t be complete without the season’s signature rich hues, and this year, wine tones are stealing the spotlight. Valentino and Saint Laurent incorporated deep burgundy, oxblood, and plum into their collections, bringing a sense of regal luxury to the season. Valentino’s wine-colored dresses and outerwear exuded elegance, while Saint Laurent paired rich shades with their signature sharp tailoring.
Canadian designers are also making a mark in this trend. Kane and Aritzia feature stunning pieces in rich wine tones, from cozy knits to chic outerwear, allowing you to embrace this luxurious color palette. For animal prints, Bishop + Young has been incorporating playful patterns into their collections, making it easy to integrate these bold looks into your fall wardrobe.
Check out some examples in the links below:
Outfit One and Outfit Two
Leopard fur coats are also coming back - check out this one.
80s Button Earrings and Bold Accessories
Accessories are getting the vintage treatment this season, with 80s-inspired pieces making a huge comeback. Chanel and Balmain both embraced large button earrings and statement belts to complete their fall looks. Chanel’s collection brought back oversized gold button earrings, reminiscent of their 80s heritage, pairing them with tailored tweed jackets and skirts. Meanwhile, Balmain showcased bold belts worn over chunky sweaters and coats, cinching the waist to add definition to voluminous layers.
Canadian brand Samantha Peters offers a range of statement accessories, including bold earrings that echo the 80s aesthetic. These pieces can easily elevate any outfit, bringing a fun and nostalgic element to your fall/winter ensembles.
This season, major fashion houses and Canadian brands alike are proving that fall is all about mixing oversized comfort with bold, structured accents, creating looks that are as practical as they are stylish. Whether you’re leaning into the playful shapes or the luxurious textures, 2024 fall/winter fashion has something for everyone. Remember, you may have various pieces already tucked away in your closet that you can bring out and incorporate into these current trends - let’s be kind to the planet and make the most of what we already own.
Sincerely,
Patricia Rosalyn Seward