6 top trends from Fashion Week Fall 2022

Fashion weeks have taken place against a backdrop of disruption in the world over the past few years — amid an ongoing pandemic, and notably this season, Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Not only did organizers make official note of the conflict, but some designers also chose to address the situation to varying degrees. Stella McCartney played "Give Peace a Chance" to close her show at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, while Giorgio Armani opted against using any music at all during his runway show in Milan. At Balenciaga's show on the outskirts of the French capital, a personal note from designer Demna Gvasalia about his own experience as a refugee of war as well as a t-shirt in the colours of the Ukrainian flag were placed on every seat. 

Amid these troubles, the Fall 2022 fashion season was both inspiring and engaging. There were technological experiments: London-based designer Roksanda Ilinčić launched NFT dresses, wearable tech appeared on the runway at Dior, and it seemed more design houses opted to create immersive and experiential events after several seasons of digital presentations and pared-down runway shows. Some of the more memorable scenes included models at Balenciaga walking through a blustery, snowy arena; Rick Owens' models toting fog machines that emitted clouds of the designer's upcoming scent collaboration with Aesop; and the all-encompassing pink set at Valentino designed in the brand's colour of the season, "Pink PP" — a vibrant shade custom developed with the Pantone Color Institute. 

And, there were also beautiful clothes, made for dressing up and going out again — even if just to the office. With bold suiting, oversized coats and dreamy gowns, designers are betting on a return to (a new) normal this fall.  

Ahead, six of the season's top style trends as seen on the runways of New York, London, Milan and Paris. 

Relaxed suiting

Spring's XL-sized blazers will definitely make their presence felt into the next season. Styles with extra-broad shoulders made appearances at shows by Versace, The Row, Prada and Stella McCartney. But it's the oversized, slouchy suits with wide-leg trousers that are drawing our attention for Fall 2022. There were all-leather versions at Bottega Veneta, evening-ready suiting at Etro and double breasted suits at Gucci. 

Monochromatic dressing

This season, the entire Valentino collection was shown in head-to-toe monochrome and comprised of just two shades: black and the fashion house's custom fuchsia, Pink PP. The trend also appeared at shows from Max Mara, Rick Owens, Elie Saab and Lanvin. While monochromatic dressing is an evergreen trend in fashion, it remains impactful. If you want to try this season's take on the trend, you'll want to order matching tights to complete the look. 

The white tank top

Surprisingly, the humble white tank top was a designer favourite this season, appearing in the collections at Chloé, Sacai, Bottega Veneta and Prada. At Chloé, a merino cashmere tank is styled with leather pants, while Prada's comes with metal logo front and centre. 

Platform shoes

Vertiginous heels won't ever go out of fashion, but many designers are embracing statement-making platform and flatform shoes and boots for fall 2022. Spotted at shows ranging from Balmain to Sacai to Rick Owens, this chunky footwear style coordinates well with many of the season's top apparel trends: wide-leg pants, miniskirts and voluminous dresses. 

A jaunty beret

Headwear can be an easy way to make a fun sartorial statement, and the beret may just be fall's must-have hat. We spotted one by milliner Stephen Jones at Schiaparelli (alongside more extravagant creations). Berets were also styled with adidas x Gucci collaborations at Gucci and worn by multiple models on the runway at Bora Aksu. 

Eyewear with personality

There was a vibrant and bold array of sunglasses on the fashion week runways. Oversized designs added washes of colour at Tom Ford, Victoria Beckham, Nina Ricci and Versace, while sleek, sculpted eyewear helped to emphasize the modern direction at Salvatore Ferragamo and Christian Dior. 

Truc Nguyen is a Toronto-based writer, editor and stylist. Follow her at @trucnguyen.