With the quieting down of the sartorial crescendos that reverberated through New York, Paris, London and Milan in the past couple of months, the trends for autumn/winter 2016 – 2017 womenswear are settling in. The months might be cold, but the looks will be brazenly hot. With frisky pink, sequin and sheer peering through Russian-winter worthy furs, the next A/W season will be far from grim.
COVER THE FINGERS
In autumn/winter 2016-17, extra-long sleeves are all the rage. With fingers barely peeking from under the hem, the elongated look spells chic elegance. From coats to sweaters to blouses, sleeves dangle considerably below the wrist in the creations of Diane Von Furstenberg, Dolce & Gabbana and Emilio Pucci among other labels. It is a comfy trend that overtakes the avail of gloves.
SHEER WINTER
Carrying over from spring/summer 2016, sheer proves a staple for the winter wardrobe as well. Skin is only slightly – and suggestively – veiled in the collections of Dolce & Gabbana, Alberta Ferretti, Alexander McQueen and Antonio Marras, among a slew of others. Under heavy coats and above knee-high boots, sheer attires evoke grace and delicacy in the livid months of wool and fleece.
PINK IT UP!
The girly color flashed from the catwalks, exploding the gray, cold season in intense vibrancy. In a panoply of shades – from pale, feminine blush to fierce, neon fuchsia, pink is not a simple cheeky accent. Ryan Lo, Chanel, Versace and Christian Dior flush entire looks in it. Screaming for attention, pink shakes out a youthful, playful sensation.
SPANGLE SPARKLEÂ
If flaring pink does not add enough glam to winter attires, then shiny sequins sure do. From miniature spangles capering all over the gowns of Erdem and Gucci to large scales sparkling up the straight-cut  dresses of Dolce & Gabbana and Preen, all-sequin looks waltz with light, floating and flowing on the runway. On the glum winter streets, the intricate dance will carry on.
RELEASE THE FUR-RY
Genuine or faux, jet black or neon yellow – it does not matter. Fur ruffles the burly minks of Altuzarra, Gucci and Versace, softens the collars of Alexander McQueen’s coats and sways along sheer skirts in Carolina Herrera’s mash-up looks. With a pinch of nostalgia for the frigid winters and lavish styles of a bygone era, fur struts a comeback – a resolute yet romantic one.
BLACK IS THE NEW BLACK
Forget about orange – black is back. Dominant in coats and gowns, it lands the A/W 2016-17 season a somber – even, a rather aristocratic – feel. From Chloe’s jet leather onesies to Balmain’s frill-covered inky dresses to Ann Demeulemeester’s raven suits, black cues to minimalism and, at the same time, opulence. It carries both seduction and stringency. The multifaceted allure of the dark will clearly grip the cold months.
PRINT EXTRAVAGANZA
From intricate blossoms to water color-like swoops to bold leopard spots (often clashed together in a single look) – print reigns supreme. Versace, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta and Louis Vuitton among a myriad of other brands decisively mix, overlay and juxtapose vibrant, daring motifs to create striking mash-ups that defy the rules of pattern and color matching. The spontaneous print combinations may deliver a shock to the weak-hearted fashionistas, but they are a sure way to command attention.
ACTIVE COUTUREÂ
If sport usually conjures up images of body-tight shirts and tight-hugging leggings, that is no more. The upcoming A/W season presented sportswear with a couture twist. From Adam Selman’s oversized puffa jackets –  bulging in the women’s winter wardrobe after a foray into men’s – to Anna K varsity sweaters to Versace’s sleek ski pants, athletic apparel pops a bit of eccentricity to the otherwise formal, well-cut looks.
