The trends we’ve seen so far at Australian Fashion Week, and how to find them pre-loved

Big accessories, timeless silhouettes and layers upon layers. 

It’s day three of Australian Fashion Week (AFW) and already some clear trends have emerged, both on and off the runway. Working on the ground as Fashion Journal’s Circular Fashion Guest Editor (supported by eBay, thank you team) I’ve borne close witness to these trends, watching them unravel in real time around Carriageworks. I’ve also had close access to a stream of seasoned fashion professionals, and have been picking their brains on the trends they’re loving too. 

One of the most challenging but exciting things about fashion at the moment is the pace of the trend cycle; it’s moving at the speed of light. It seems like as soon as a trend is out, it’s in again, giving everyone plenty of room to play with their personal style. It also means it’s easy to find any trend you’re looking for on pre-loved platforms like eBay (and it’s much better for the environment to engage in the trend cycle by sourcing pre-loved pieces).

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And, as soon as you’re tired of a certain aesthetic, there will be some other eager beaver wanting to wear what you’re ready to re-home. If you’re looking to update your wardrobe or are just curious about AFW’s biggest trends, I’ve spilt the tea on finding these pieces secondhand.

The rise of capsule wardrobes

I have always been a huge supporter of timeless pieces that you can re-wear over and over, and it seems the wider fashion industry is catching up. Capsule wardrobes are undoubtedly having a moment right now, likely due to the growing consumer interest in clothing with real longevity. We’re thinking more about the way we consume, and looking for ways – in a struggling economy – to approach fashion with thoughtfulness and nuance.

“Australian fashion has taken a turn for the timeless, which is something I love to see. Instead of trend-focused hype, we’ve seen classic tailoring and pieces that will stand the test of time. Textiles have been heroed in the resort collections, with beautiful knits against cottons and linen,” says Australian Fashion Stylist and Commentator, Elliot Garnaut. 

“I would coin this ‘timeless elegance’. It’s defined by a wardrobe of high-quality, exceptionally made pieces that transcend trends. Instead of buying something that defines a moment in time, we’ve seen that consumers are investing in pieces with longevity that they can wear for years to come.”

The data is there from consumers, too. “Australians are also adopting the timelessness and versatility of the capsule wardrobe, with eBay research* finding one in four Australians say it’s the trend they’re most likely to buy pre-loved,” explains Fashion Lead at eBay Australia, Anne-Marie Cheney.

On the runway, we’ve seen a number of designers lean into the growing demand from consumers to build their capsule wardrobes. Albus Lumen showcased a considered edit of tailored pants and blazers in oversized shapes, while Beare Park delivered an extension of its core brand DNA across bias-cut fabrics in signature silhouettes. 

When shopping for these capsule pieces secondhand, pay attention to when the garment was first manufactured. The older the garment is, the more likely it is to have that timeless factor. Tailored pieces are worth focusing your attention on, as you’ll be more likely to gravitate towards clothing with exceptional fit. Look for clean seams and intentionally placed darts, pleats, buttons, zips, etc. 

Anne-Marie shares her advice for purchasing pre-loved, timeless pieces on eBay. “Remember, sizing can vary between brands, so knowing your measurements is key to finding the perfect fit. Don’t forget to save items you love, they’ll be added to your wishlist so that you can keep track of them – and sometimes the seller may make you an offer! I also save search items I am looking for – eBay will then remind you when someone lists them so you can add them to your wardrobe.”

Tartan, plaid, kilts

It’s only day three of Australian Fashion Week and I’ve already lost count of how many tartan and plaid skirts I’ve seen so far, both on the runway from labels like House of Campbell and off. We love to see it, because it’s a classic style that’s been in circulation for literally thousands of years, making it easy to source secondhand on pre-loved platforms like eBay. Search for designer brands that have played with plaid (get it?) across the years, like Comme des Garçons, Jonathon Anderson and Alexander McQueen. 

“I’m so happy we’re seeing so much tartan this year because like most of this year’s ‘trends’, it’s easy to find secondhand,” notes Fashion Journal’s Managing Editor Giulia Brugliera. “It’s a great way to play with colour in a very classic, neutral way and ideal for anyone looking to build their capsule wardrobe.”

To those with plaid pieces in their wardrobe, maybe in a cut you no longer love, now’s a good time to look to re-home them using platforms like eBay. Judging by the sheer volume of tartan skirts at AFW, it’s safe to assume more and more people will be searching to shop the trend. 

Layers upon layers

You don’t need a fashion degree to know layering is huge this Australian Fashion Week. More is clearly more. We’ve seen skirts layered over pants, skirts layered over skirts, and skirts layered over skirts layered over skirts. Dresses have been layered over pants and tees, bustiers have been layered over shirts, and all of the above has layered with blazers, coats and a tonne of accessories. 

Writer and Content Creator Maggie Zhou leaned hard into layering on day one, cleverly wearing four skirts from her bust to her hips to create a custom dress. “Adding layers to an outfit is an instant way to create interest. Lean into the cold weather by layering unexpected pieces – maybe wear your skirts as a tiered dress, or double layer a couple of button-up shirts,” she offers. 

The best part about layering is that you can easily do it yourself with pieces already in your wardrobe. But if you feel like expanding beyond it, certain styles tend to work best. Button-up shirts are a perfect layering piece, as are skirts with wider hemlines. eBay has a great range of both on offer right now from labels like Camilla and Marc, Aje and Scanlan Theodore. 

Pre-loved fashion

If it’s not already obvious, another big takeaway from both the runways and street style is that the Australian fashion industry is looking to pre-loved pieces more than ever before. It seems the industry is getting fatigued by trends that will be forgotten in a hot minute, so it’s going back to basics, updating secondhand gems with interesting styling and spicy accessories. 

On the runway, we’ve already seen two designers incorporate pre-loved fashion into their new-season showcase. ANNA QUAN included a capsule of pieces from the designer’s archives, all available to browse and buy on eBay. Liandra Gaykamangu incorporated pre-loved accessories across her runway, a step away from the partnerships with footwear and accessory brands we usually see.

Off the runway, everyone I’ve spoken to so far has been wearing some form of pre-loved fashion, whether borrowed from a friend, found in a vintage store or sourced on eBay. Unlike other trends though, it feels like the fashion industry is shifting towards pre-loved for the long haul, so don’t expect this to be a passing fad.

“We know Australians love pre-loved fashion, with 70 per cent owning a pre-loved fashion item,”* explains Anne-Marie Cheney, Fashion Lead at eBay Australia. “Wearing pre-loved fashion is not just about mindful consumption, it’s about finding pieces that resonate with you on a personal level. Look for items that reflect your style, are crafted with care and are built to last. Seek out quality pieces that have timeless appeal and can seamlessly integrate into your wardrobe, offering endless styling possibilities.”

New neutrals

We noticed muted, earthy shades of brown, green and beige make a distinct appearance across Carriageworks this season. Stemming from the growing interest in timeless, versatile wardrobe staples, neutral tones can provide a refreshing departure from the classic black, white and grey. 

“A trend we’re seeing everywhere this year at AFW is the colour olive green. It’s become somewhat of a neutral in many wardrobes as of late. We’re seeing it across all different accessories and wardrobe items – bags, shoes, hair accessories – really, there’s nothing that hasn’t been touched with olive green at the moment,” says Content Creator and Founder of Hikuu, Jess Alizzi.

“The colour was pretty much everywhere in the recent… runway shows. Across bigger brands like Bottega [Veneta], Ferragamo and Prada, the colour was dominating a lot of their runway looks. There were also smaller injections of the colour at other runways like Gucci. From there, we’ve already started to see it through some of the street style stars and closer to home, the girls have already started to introduce the colour into their wardrobes.”

Big, big accessories

We’re officially seeing the rebirth of big accessories. A stark contrast to the previous trend of teeny-tiny handbags, this season the bigger the bag, the better. Where are we going to put all our things? Oversized handbags are the answer and I’m not mad about it!

The Sandy Liang-inspired bow craze kicked off a fresh appetite for maximalist touches, and at AFW, OTT accessories were everywhere. Think extra-wide embossed belts, chic bug-eye sunglasses, layered necklace stacks, chunky shoes and big, slouchy handbags. Accessories are an easy way to elevate a classic outfit, and eBay offers a range of pre-loved gems from luxury labels.

“Make sure you read the description of the items a seller has listed and have a look at the photos, so you are sure about what you are purchasing. eBay has a range of brands available – across international designers like Gucci, Versace and Prada to Australian luxury labels like Camilla & Marc, Bassike and Sass & Bide – so if pre-loved fashion is your thing, you can find it on eBay,” Anne-Marie says.

“When it comes to luxury finds, you want to make sure that what you’re spending your hard-earned dollars on is legit! Consider platforms like eBay, where the Authenticity Guarantee program provides confidence when purchasing luxury handbags, wallets and sneakers. Keep an eye out for the blue tick symbol to know the item will be sent to eBay’s Authentication Centre for verification.”

Have your eye on something new? Buy it, love it, list it on eBay here. 

*YouGov research commissioned by eBay Australia among 1042+ Australians 16+ in April 2024