New York Fashion Week SS18: The Ultimate Street Style Report

Uncover the bold, fresh, and transformative street style trends electrifying New York Fashion Week SS18.

By Medha deb
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Each year, New York Fashion Week becomes more than just a showcase for designers’ runway visions — it transforms the city into a living, breathing display of personal style and trendsetting risk. For SS18, the pavements themselves were the main stage, as editors, influencers, and style devotees turned heads with looks that combined classic sartorial elements with bold, contemporary twists.

Game Time: The Energy of New York Fashion Week

For fashion insiders, September isn’t just the start of autumn, but something closer to a creative Super Bowl. For one electric week, the city is abuzz with anticipation, and everyone — from celebrities to everyday style enthusiasts — steps up their style game. Outfits are meticulously curated, combining the comfort needed for long days and the inspiration drawn from the latest runways. Mingled with the clatter of heels and camera shutters, the excitement of NYFW SS18 was palpable, inviting both established icons and rising tastemakers to make their mark.

Why NYFW Street Style Matters

  • Trend Forecasting: Street style often provides the first glimpse at upcoming trends, sometimes even before they reach the runway.
  • Individual Expression: Unlike the uniformity sometimes seen in designer shows, street style is all about personality and self-expression.
  • Transitional Influence: Many looks bridge seasonal gaps, offering real-world inspiration for evolving wardrobes.

The Biggest Street Style Trends of NYFW SS18

1. Modern Tailoring: Businesswear with a Twist

If classic officewear, collegiate attire, and urban minimalism had a child, the result was the standout tailoring witnessed throughout NYFW SS18. Blazers, ties, and crisp button-ups — signatures of traditional suiting — appeared in reimagined forms:

  • Cropped Blazers: Shortened, sharply tailored blazers delivering a youthful edge.
  • Statement Accessories: Think metallic boots, oversized sunglasses, and playful, avant-garde jewelry.
  • Unexpected Layering: Button-ups worn over sheer slips, ties styled over basic tees.

These looks masterfully balanced polish with an irreverent, downtown cool, illustrating how formalwear can thrive off the clock.

2. Power Plaid: Beyond the Flannel

Plaid underwent a dramatic reawakening this season. Gone were the lumberjack references; instead, plaid took on:

  • Vivid Colorways: Neon blues, shocking pinks, and vibrant yellows turned heads.
  • Varied Scales: Designers mixed micro and macro patterns in a single ensemble for eye-catching dimension.
  • Architectural Shapes: From exaggerated shoulders to sculpted skirts, plaid garments acquired a new-futurist silhouette.

Fashion’s favorite print became a symbol for the bold and the boundary-pushing.

3. The Statement Jacket: Big, Bold, and Borrowed from Sport

Outerwear this season acted as the outfit’s backbone. Oversized jackets, especially those riffing on athletic motifs, were everywhere:

  • Varsity Bombers: Retro and collegiate, updated with luxe materials.
  • Cocooning Silhouettes: Billowy, dramatic shapes that enveloped the figure.
  • Color Blocking: Contrasting hues and unexpected pairings made each jacket its own centerpiece.

The message: let your jacket do the talking, and let comfort and confidence lead the way.

4. Barely-There Layers: The New Way to Sheer

This season, the art of layering was about what you could barely see. Subtle, diaphanous fabrics appeared under and over more structured pieces, adding dimension and playfulness without overwhelming the eye:

  • Sheer Turtlenecks: Worn beneath slip dresses or sleeveless tops for a gentle reveal.
  • Lace Accents: Often included at the hem or cuffs for a flirtatious finish.
  • Tonal Layering: Monochromatic looks with varying opacities.

This trend proved that less can indeed be more, especially when strategic reveals highlight confidence and creativity.

5. Pinstripes Recharged: Classic Meets Cool

Pinstripes found new life, shedding their staid, corporate reputation for something far more dynamic:

  • Unexpected Cuts: Pinstriped pants with asymmetrical waists, blazers with open backs.
  • Modern Styling: Mixed with denim, graphic tees, and sport-inspired pieces.
  • Playful Details: Contrasting buttons, stitched overlays, and irreverent tailoring tricks.

The result elevated formality into fun, producing looks that worked from boardroom to after-dark hangouts.

6. The Leather Revolution: From Subtle to Statement

If there was a fabric of the season, it was leather—worn in bold, immersive ways. Street style stars embraced:

  • Full Leather Looks: Jackets, coordinated pants, and boots worn as cohesive sets.
  • Textural Play: Fringe, metal hardware, and intricate cutouts added movement and edge.
  • Unexpected Colors: Soft pastels and even metallic finishes disrupted the traditional black palette.

The expansion of leather beyond its classic confines made for some of the week’s most talked-about ensembles.

7. All About Suede: The Two-Piece Takeover

While suede is often relegated to accent pieces, SS18 crowned it as a full-look contender. The two-piece set—jacket and skirt or trousers—was the standout:

  • Embroidery: Textural applique and embellishment elevated neutral palettes.
  • Sleek Minimalism: Clean silhouettes for understated, tactile luxury.
  • Monochrome Styling: Single-color, head-to-toe suede made for a quietly powerful statement.

Suede’s signature softness and depth lent a new dimension to spring dressing, with sets that transitioned easily from day to night.

8. Red Alert: Vibrant Bottoms Make Their Mark

This season, “red bottoms” took on a whole new meaning—one rooted not in shoes, but in every incarnation from trousers to skirts:

  • Scarlet Pants and Shorts: Vibrant and unapologetic, giving simple tops a running start.
  • Color Pop Tights: Layered under monochrome looks for a punchy contrast.
  • Mix-and-Match: Reds played against denim, neutrals, and even other bright hues for maximum impact.

The main takeaway? The brighter and bolder the red, the better. It was an instant way to command attention and energize any outfit.

Spotlight: The People Who Made It All Happen

Behind every snapshot and viral trend was a community of editors, photographers, and influencers working to capture and define the NYFW experience. Cosmo’s own street style photographer brought the city’s best looks to life, while Manhattan’s avenues became both runway and backdrop for self-expression.

  • Photographers tirelessly hunted for the next big moment, seeking both established creatives and emerging talent in the bustling crowds.
  • Influencers and Editors blended their professional prowess with personal flair, providing not just trend reports, but experiential, immersive inspiration.
  • Designers looked to the streets for feedback and innovation, proving that the space outside the show venue matters as much as the one within.

Translating NYFW SS18 Trends to Your Wardrobe

While some NYFW looks can seem daunting, the season offered endless inspiration for wearable, versatile updates to any wardrobe:

  • Start small: Try one statement piece—like a plaid coat or a bold red skirt—to ease into a trend.
  • Mix classic and experimental: Offset a leather jacket with a simple white tee, or layer a sheer top under a denim dress.
  • Play with color and pattern: Don’t shy away from unusual combinations. Plaid and neon, or pinstripes and lace, create refreshing juxtapositions.
  • Prioritize comfort: Many street style looks were built for movement and all-day wear. Oversized jackets and elastic-waist pants mean you don’t have to sacrifice function for fashion.

Key Takeaways: What SS18 Street Style Means Going Forward

  • Boldness pays off: This season celebrated fearless experimentation, affirming street style as fashion’s frontier.
  • Accessories matter: From high-shine boots to unique jewelry, details made a decisive impact on otherwise classic looks.
  • Everyone’s a trendsetter: Whether you’re an editor, influencer, or just love fashion, NYC’s streets welcomed every interpretation and personal twist.
  • Layering rules: The artful mix of textures, patterns, and sheerness defined looks that felt fresh and personalized.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About NYFW SS18 Street Style

Q: What were the most photographed trends at NYFW SS18?

A: Standout trends included power plaid, statement jackets (especially varsity and bomber silhouettes), innovative sheer layering, full leather ensembles, and bold red bottoms.

Q: How can I incorporate NYFW trends into a practical, everyday wardrobe?

A: Start with a single trend piece, such as a plaid jacket or red trousers, and pair it with neutral staples or will-worn basics. Adapt layering with subtle sheers or invest in a standout accessory.

Q: Are the oversized silhouettes just a passing trend?

A: Oversized jackets and roomy shapes reflect both comfort and a modern sensibility, suggesting they’ll remain wardrobe staples as their adaptability extends beyond just one season.

Q: Which color dominated the street style scene?

A: Red, in all its forms, was the color to watch — with vivid red pants, skirts, and tights appearing in countless standout looks.

Q: Who influences the street style trends at NYFW the most?

A: While designers inspire the general mood, editors, influencers, photographers, and everyday attendees all play vital roles in shaping and showcasing what resonates at street level.

Final Thoughts

New York Fashion Week SS18’s street style revealed a tapestry of creativity and daring, offering endless ideas for personal reinvention. Whether embracing power plaid, sporting an oversized bomber, or simply mixing new layers, NYFW continues to affirm the streets as the world’s most democratic—yet dazzling—catwalk. Take inspiration from the risk-takers, experiment boldly, and remember: in New York, fashion is what you make it.

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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