10 Melbourne Fashion Week trends you’ll be wearing this season
Image via Lucas Dawson Photography
Words by Tara Smith
Drum roll, please.
Now that Melbourne Fashion Week is done and dusted for another year, we can put away the Instagram filters and reflect on the week that was.
This season, we noticed a number of trends making their way down the runway at Melbourne Town Hall. Some we welcomed back like an old friend, and others still have us scratching our heads (thongs?!).
Whether you missed them completely or are in need of a refresher, here are 10 trends we spotted at Melbourne Fashion Week 2018.
1. Thongs
Yep, bust out the Havaianas, thongs are officially back. First spotted on the streets of Copenhagen Fashion Week, the rubber footwear staple made its official Australian resurgence courtesy of White Story at Town Hall Runway Five. We’re not sure how, we’re not sure why, but we do know it’s not the last time we’ll see the thong.
2. Bum bags
As expected, EVERYWHERE. Both on and off the runway. Did I get lost and accidentally attend a bum bag convention? Possibly. Was I happy about it? Absolutely. The more practical fashion items I can add to my wardrobe, the better.
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3. Fuchsia
If there’s one thing designers are loving this season, it’s millennial pink’s louder cousin. Fuchsia pink skirt sets courtesy of Carla Zampatti, statement maxi dresses by Acler and even bum bags appeared in the bold hue. More bum bags!
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4. Florals for spring
Ground-breaking, we know. But we’ve got to give credit where it’s due. Designers like Yeojin Bae, búl and nevenka managed to present florals in a way that didn’t feel like we’d see them 100 times before. Case in point:
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5. Power suiting
In what should come as a surprise to no one, power suiting played a big role throughout majority of the Town Hall Runway shows. I’m talking sharp shoulders, relaxed tailoring and cropped suit styles. This trend still has a long way to go and I’m not complaining.
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6. Bell sleeves
After attending Town Hall Runway Two, I was immediately embarrassed by the tiny circumference of my sleeves. This season is all about exaggerated shapes. Bell sleeves, balloon sleeves, you name it. The bigger the better.
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7. Checks
Checks are the trend that refuse to die. And I’m not mad about it. During MFW, Gorman and Lee Mathews presented cute gingham styles while plaid jackets were spotted at Sandro Paris, Incu and Maje.
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8. PJ-inspired pieces
Whoever allowed pyjamas to transition from the bedroom to the high street is a winner in my books. During Town Hall Runway Two, Arnsdorf debuted silky sets with relaxed collared shirts and flowing shorts. Paired with a colour palette of pastel blues and creamy beige, it was the stuff of dreams.
9. Gigot sleeves
The gigot sleeve, also affectionately named the ‘leg-of-mutton’ sleeve, was given a 2018 update courtesy of Arnsdorf and CMEO Collective. For a more modernised look, the style appeared high on the shoulders, cinched on the forearm and arrived in a bright red colourway.
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10. Corsets
Namely, corsets over shirting. A trend we’ve seen many times before, but continues to stick around due to its versatility. Acler’s runway featured a Western-style corset over voluminous white shirting, while Scanlan Theodore opted for a bustier and shirt combo.
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