Best Fashion Week 2013 Styles: The Runway’s Hottest Trends
Discover the chicest looks, standout trends, and designer moments that defined Fashion Week 2013—from bold streetwear to luxe runways.
Fashion Week 2013 brought a mix of bold innovations and revisited classics to the world’s biggest runways. From New York to Paris, designers unveiled collections brimming with distinct silhouettes, unexpected fabrics, and vibrant energy. This comprehensive review breaks down the most iconic looks, the driving trends, and the designers whose styles set the tone for the year.
Core Highlights from NYC Fashion Week Fall 2013
New York City was a focal point for 2013’s most memorable fashion moments. Collections championed comfort and drama, playful colors, and modern streetwear that blurred the lines between day and night. Below, find the standout looks and designers that defined the season:
- Knit Cap Chic: BCBG Max Azria brought a refreshing edge by pairing a simple knit cap with a black and white tunic and a black silk skirt, serving up a slimming silhouette perfect for fall.
- Day-to-Night Pastels: Costello Tagliapietra made pastels cool weather-appropriate, debuting deep V-neck dresses with bold lips—signaling the rise of pastels beyond spring.
- Summer-Meet-Fall Prints: Juicy Couture offered chic shorts jumpers with polka-dot prints and breezy fabric, hitting the sweet spot for transitional style.
- Textured Layers: Rag and Bone continued to redefine sexy with loose silhouettes, creative layering, and bold textures. Unfitted looks dominated both the runway and street style, making comfort officially cool.
- Leather Futurism: Charlotte Ronson and Rebecca Minkoff both leaned into colored and classic leather, pairing swingy coats and easy dresses to balance boldness with everyday polish.
- Pattern Power: Suno proved their mastery by playing with boxy peekaboo tops and statement prints—setting new standards for print mixing.
- Edgy Elegance: Christian Siriano insisted that leather dresses are a fall essential, blending sophistication with a bit of edge.
- Military Chic: Prabal Gurung drew on military inspiration for work-ready fashion, spotlighting sharp tailoring and utilitarian details.
- Boxy Silhouettes: Lacoste advocated for boxier tops, adding a modern twist to classic outerwear—suggesting that structure and color remain core to fall dressing.
Defining Trends: Fall 2013’s Signature Looks
Across the week, several recurring motifs emerged, signaling how contemporary dressing would evolve over the following seasons:
- Unfitted Silhouettes: Leggings, oversized sweaters, and loose tops made their presence felt from Rag and Bone to Alexander Wang. This comfort-driven chic influenced mainstream women’s fashion, cementing leggings and oversized memorabilia as everyday staples.
- Leather Dominance: Designers from Christian Siriano to Rebecca Minkoff showcased leather in various permutations—dresses, coats, colored pieces—establishing leather as a must-have material for fall.
- Printed Fabrics: Suno and Juicy Couture demonstrated the versatility of patterned textiles, offering everything from polka dots to graphic prints, often combined with sleek cuts.
- Bold Colors and Pastels: While black remained popular, designers weren’t afraid to inject jewel tones and soft pastels into their collections, defying seasonal expectations.
- Military Influences: Structured coats, cargo details, and military greens echoed workwear roots, blending utility with office-ready sophistication.
- Transitional Outerwear: Swingy coats and tailored jackets, as seen from Charlotte Ronson and Lacoste, provided statement layering pieces that worked across seasons.
Spotlight on Designers: Who Shaped the Season?
| Designer | Signature Style 2013 | Iconic Runway Moment |
|---|---|---|
| BCBG Max Azria | Knit caps, monochrome layering | Black and white tunic, silk skirt |
| Costello Tagliapietra | Pastel V-necks, bold lips | Day-to-night pastel dress |
| Juicy Couture | Breezy jumpers, playful prints | Polka-dot shorts jumper |
| Rag and Bone | Loose, textured layering | Bold unfitted sweater look |
| Charlotte Ronson | Colored leather, swing coats | Leather paired with outerwear |
| Rebecca Minkoff | Polished leather dresses | Go-anywhere leather dress |
| Suno | Statement prints, boxy tops | Peekaboo boxy patterned top |
| Christian Siriano | Leather dresses, edgy glam | Structured leather runway look |
| Prabal Gurung | Military tailoring | Sharp office-ready military jacket |
| Lacoste | Boxy silhouettes, colored outerwear | Contemporary outerwear look |
Fashion Week 2013 Street Style: Real-Time Inspiration
The atmosphere outside the tents was equally compelling, as editors, influencers, and models transformed sidewalks into style showcases. Street style for Fall 2013 mirrored runway trends with a twist—layered knits, statement outerwear, bold footwear, and inventive accessorizing. Among the recurring street picks:
- Chunky knit scarves and caps paired with tailored blazers
- Layered jewels and metallic accents
- Colorblocked coats with vintage touches
- Sporty leggings and trend-driven sneakers
- Oversized bags and geometric prints
Such street style moments proved just as influential as the seasonal lookbooks, often serving as lightning rods for global trends.
Runway Trends Table: Must-Have Pieces for Fall 2013
| Item | Designer | How to Wear |
|---|---|---|
| Knit Cap | BCBG Max Azria | Pair with tunics and skirts for effortless chic |
| Leather Dress | Christian Siriano, Rebecca Minkoff | Balance with minimalist accessories |
| Patterned Jumpers | Juicy Couture, Suno | Let prints take center stage; keep accessories neutral |
| Military Jacket | Prabal Gurung | Style with trousers for work or jeans for weekend |
| Boxy Top | Lacoste | Mix with slim pants for visual balance |
| Colored Leather | Charlotte Ronson | Embrace colored leather with contrast outerwear |
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Fashion Week 2013 Style Guide: Translating Runway to Real Life
Use these tips to infuse your wardrobe with the must-have inspiration from 2013’s top shows:
- Pair oversized knits with streamlined skirts or slim trousers for a balanced silhouette.
- Update your fall palette with soft pastels, military greens, and pops of neon—layering for dimension.
- Invest in a leather piece: Opt for a dress, skirt, or even colored leather outerwear and style it with simple accessories.
- Mix patterns boldly: Try boxy printed tops with solids, or mix polka dots with graphic elements.
- Layer textures and materials, taking cues from Rag and Bone’s runway looks.
- Choose functional yet stylish outerwear—think military jackets or swingy coats that transition seamlessly between occasions.
Evolution of Fashion Week: From 1950s to Now
Fashion Week continues to reflect the changing priorities in women’s fashion. Athletic wear began appearing on runways as early as the 1980s, but by 2013, unfitted silhouettes—leggings, boxy tops, and oversized sweaters—were center stage, reflecting mainstream adoption of comfort-driven styles. The influence of designers such as Rag and Bone, Alexander Wang, Karl Lagerfeld, and Dior helped bring these casual elements into luxury collections, demonstrating the fluidity of fashion and its ability to adapt to cultural shifts.
Thrifting and repurposing garments also gained momentum, driven by designers who showed that high fashion and street style could be inclusive and innovative.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What were the biggest color trends at Fashion Week 2013?
Pastels, military greens, and bold jewel tones joined the usual black and earthy shades, reflecting a diverse and playful palette.
Which designer dominated with leather looks in 2013?
Christian Siriano and Rebecca Minkoff were known for their standout leather dresses, while Charlotte Ronson explored colored leather in outerwear and accessories.
How can I wear oversized or boxy silhouettes without looking shapeless?
Balance oversized tops or sweaters with slim-fit bottoms, and add a belt at the waist to define your shape.
Why did prints and patterns become such a big story during 2013?
Designers like Suno pushed the envelope with creative print mixing, answering a call for more statement pieces and bolder streetwear influence.
Did Fashion Week 2013 impact everyday street style?
Yes! Trends like chunky knits, athletic leggings, and patterned jumpers quickly moved from runway to sidewalk, influencing global style.
Key Takeaways for Your 2013-Inspired Wardrobe
- Mix textures—pair knits with silk or leather for intrigue.
- Play with color, using pastels and earthy tones for fresh impact.
- Embrace practical-yet-fashionable layering, borrowing cues from street style icons.
- Invest in statement pieces: leather dress, boxy jacket, printed jumper.
- Let accessories—scarves, jewelry, bags—add personal flair and dimension.
Fashion Week 2013 set the standard for bold experimentation, versatile comfort, and creativity. Whether you’re updating your closet or seeking inspiration, these designers and trends offer endless possibilities for making every season your own.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/advice/g2830/fashion-looks-new-york-fashion-week-2013/
- https://digital.library.txst.edu/bitstreams/cd587438-4609-472d-82ae-74780cc0c4c7/download
- https://www.scribd.com/document/278063084/Cosmopolitan-USA-2013-09
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/fashion/style/g2803/fashion-week-street-style-autumn-winter-2013/
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