New York Fashion Week 2023 trends so far

As the event moves into day four, here are the themes that are starting to emerge

Elena Velez offers a striped-back corset for spring / summer 2023 at New York Fashion Week. Photo: Elena Velez

Khaite serves satin as an oversized blazer. Photo: Khaite

Bright neon gloves at the Tommy Hilfiger show. AP

A dash of luxurious satin at Jason Wu. Reuters

Bright neons at Fendi. AP

Y2K-inspired cut-outs at the Victor Glemaud show. AP

Acid yellow at the Proenza Schouler show. AP

The New York Fashion Week shows for spring/summer 2023 are well under way in Manhattan, with day four of the event unfolding.

There have been plenty of highlights and drama already, from Fendi celebrating the 25th anniversary of its Baguette bag, to Kim and Khloe Kardashian, and Kate Moss, all sitting front row, plus rain pouring down on the open-air Tommy Hilfiger event, drenching the crowd and models alike.

While it is a little early to start listing definitive trends, there are a few front runners worth noting.

With the rest of the week still to go, followed by London, Milan and Paris next, there's plenty more to come, but here's what's hot on the runways so far.

Bright neons

Shocking pink and yellow on the Prabal Gurung spring/summer 2023 runway at New York Fashion Week. AP

A continuation of post-pandemic optimism, bright neons are already making a strong showing in New York.

Seen as acid yellow and neon green at Fendi's special winter 2022 capsule collection, shocking pink at Prabal Gurung, and bright yellow at Proenza Schouler and Tommy Hilfiger, this looks like a trend that's here to stay.

Y2K vibes

A Y2K look at Eckhaus Latta for spring/summer 2023. Photo: Eckhaus Latta

Brands are looking to the sunny side of the street, harking back to the past and simpler days. In New York, this is materialising as a tendency to look back to the year 2000, with cut-out panels, such as at Victor Glemaud and Dion Lee, belly-baring crop tops (Prabal Gurung and Eckhaus Latta) and even tie-dye.

Rather than crude and hippy-ish, this is now elegant and refined, such as Japanese shibori, as seen at Altuzarra and Ulla Johnson.

A touch of luxe

A rainbow satin dress at Marni for spring/summer 2023. Photo: Marni

Glossy satin seems to be having a moment on the New York runways, presumably to bring a dash of luxury to everyday life. Fendi sent out a silky jumpsuit, and Anonlychild offered satin shirts, while Khaite presented satin blazers and puff ball skirts.

Over at Marni, meanwhile, this luxurious fabric was cut into a rainbow dress with long, draped sleeves.

Underwear as outerwear

A sequinned corset top at Fendi. AFP

Another nod to the past is the resurgence of underwear as outwear. First seen in the 1990s courtesy of Jean Paul Gaultier and one Madonna, it is now here again.

Structured and heavily boned, this is more corseting than clingy slip dresses, offering a tight-laced alternative to tops.

At Prabal Gurung, this arrived as a cropped short, while Fendi offered one version in glittering sequins. Elsewhere, Elena Velez sent out stripped-back, almost Victorian-era corsets.

Celebrities at New York Fashion Week — in pictures

From left, LaLa Anthony, Kim Kardashian, Sarah Jessica Parker and Naomi Watts at a Fendi event at Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, on September 9. Getty Images

Grace Jones attends Fendi's event, which marked 25 years of the Baguette bag. Getty Images

Kate Moss attends Fendi's presentation. Getty Images

Pat Cleveland attends the Naeem Khan fashion show at Sony Hall. Getty Images

Harnaaz Sandhu attends the Naeem Khan fashion show. Getty Images

Karlie Kloss attends the Proenza Schouler fashion show.

Irina Shayk attends the Revolve Gallery NYFW Presentation at Hudson Yards. Getty Images

American actress Alicia Silverstone at the Christian Siriano show. AP

Janet Jackson, second from right, at designer Christian Siriano's show. AP

Coco Rocha arrives for Harper’s Bazaar Global Icons Portfolio and Bloomingdale’s 150th Anniversary in New York. AFP