As the year comes to an end, we round up the street style trends that shaped 2016. We saw the return of the choker in all its ’90s glory, closet staples reimagined, and pajamas emerging from the bedroom. While all eyes were on shoulders and deconstructed tops became wardrobe hero pieces, velvet and corsets were the game changers for fall. Ahead, we round-up the 10 street style trends that defined 2016 and the fashion-forward people who wore them.
CHOKERS
New York Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photograph by Valentina Frugiuele
The choker has come a long way since the ‘90s. 2016 had the fashion set in a chokehold––street style stars, celebrities, and Gigi Hadid along with her circle of model friends rocked the choker in styles that ranged from classic velvet strips and thick bands to pin-thin metal designs.
VINTAGE BAND T-SHIRTS
Martha Graeff during New York Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photograph by Valentina Frugiuele
The rise in tour merch also saw the surge in vintage band T-shirts.Style stars traveled back in time and represented their tribe with retro concert toppers that were counterbalanced with current pieces such as frayed jeans or glossy trench coats and layered under slip dresses.
CORSET BELTS
Doina Ciobanuis wearing an Erdem suit and Burberry trench coat during London Fashion Week Fall 2016. Photograph by Valentina Frugiuele
One of fall’s biggest accessories trends was the corset belt.Cotton designs styled purposely undone over coats à la Prada or structured versions coupled with shirts and dresses––either way, the corset won the hearts of the fashion crowd in 2016.
PUFFER COATS
Julia Sarr-Jamois wearing a Chen Peng coat during Milan Fashion Week Fall 2016. Photograph by Valentina Frugiuele
Functional and fashionable, the puffer coat came in a multitude of colors and shielded Fashion Week goers from the polar vortex winds with flair. The humble coat, which became an internet sensation after the release of Drake’s Hotline Bling video, saw the down feather coat gain traction on the runway at Balenciaga , Marques‘Almeida, and Alexander McQueen.
COLD SHOULDER
Patricia Manfield during New York Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photograph by Valentina Frugiuele
One of the most exhausted styles of the year would have to be the off-the-shoulder silhouette. Having reached peak trend, the design seen on tops and dresses evoked a flirty vibe without overexposing skin, which is what made the shoulder-baring top appealing.
TROPHY TOPS
Rachael Wang wearing a Marques ‘Almeida shirt during New York Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photograph by Valentina Frugiuele
Deconstructed shirts featuring extra-long sleeves, extended cuffs, and ruffles go hand-in-hand with the buzzword of the year: Vetements. The Paris-based collective known for its offering of disheveled silhouettes, boxy shirts and oversized cuts is one of the noteworthy brands that rewrote the rules on the classic button-down. Meanwhile, up-and-coming label Monse and French brand Jacquemus took closet staples such as blazers, dresses and shirts to the next level with a modified and deconstructed twist.
METALLIC PLEATED SKIRTS
New York Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photograph by Valentina Frugiuele
Iridescent, knife-pleated midi skirts gained a following since Alessandro Michele introduced shimmery variations at his debut Gucci Fall 2015 collection. Synonymous with the Italian label, the feminine, light-reflecting skirt emerged on the street style circuit in heavy rotation through gilded styles and kaleidoscope stripes that brought a hint of sparkle to daywear outfits.
BAND JACKETS
Carlotta Oddi wearing a Jessie Western jacket during Milan Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photograph by Valentina Frugiuele
The military-inspired band jacket decorated with embroidered regalia was one of the statement-making outer layer trends that didn’t go unnoticed, appearing at brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Burberry. Members of the street style pack tackled the trend by styling the jacket as the focal point of their outfits.
BOUDOIR DRESSING
Adi Heyman and Elizabeth Savetsky wearing a J. Crew pajama suit and Gucci sandals during New York Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photograph by Valentina Frugiuele
Pajama sets and lingerie-inspired designs including robes, slip dresses, and silky camisoles made their way out of the bedroom and saw the light of day. The relaxed mood was elevated by way of piped, button-down shirts coupled with matching trousers and accessorized with heels or structured handbags. Meanwhile, slinky frocks were layered over cotton t-shirts that evoked a laid-back vibe.
VELVET
Giorgia Tordini and Gilda Ambrosio both are wearing velvet dresses by Attico during Milan Fashion Week Fall 2016. Photograph by Valentina Frugiuele
Washed in rich jewel-tones, velvet had a major moment for fall, where the regal fabric found its way into every silhouette imaginable.From dresses, separates and suits coated in the lush textile to accessories such as heels, boots and handbags, the plush material made a big impact across the board.
Brighten up your winter with Vogue Arabia’s edit of fun and colorful fur.
