With trends and attention spans as fickle as they are these days, it can be difficult to remember what attire or dress codes really permeate culture. Thank goodness for pictures. This year, I went to three continents, six countries and seven cities to photograph people in the streets and in the crowds at fashion shows, an endeavor that involved the use of five cameras and six lenses.
Certain themes emerged among the countless clothes I documented. Wardrobe staples like knitwear and suits took new shapes and forms. Patterns and prints were mixed with abandon. Elaborate accessories signaled the end to an era of quiet luxury. These trends, exemplified in the following images, might not have been directly linked. But all brought to mind an adage associated with memorable style: It’s not what you wear but how you wear it.
Mashing and Clashing
Wearing contrasting patterns and prints, while not new, became something of an art form as people experimented with eye-catching combinations. Many found harmony through complementary color palettes. Others stood out not for mixing visual motifs, but for ensembles emphasizing just one bold pattern.
Sublime Suits
Suiting this year seemed more democratic than ever, with styles tailored to fit all shapes, sizes and sensibilities. Those who took risks — by fastening a studded belt over a jacket, say, or substituting braided hair for a traditional necktie — made their suits even more notable.
Opulent Accessories
Instead of finishing touches, accessories — whether beaded headpieces, sculptural chokers or hats with flying-saucer proportions — often appeared to be the basis for many outfits. The most delightful items were those that conveyed their wearers’ sense of playfulness.
Knitwear Gone Wild
If the variety of knitwear on the streets was any indication, a knitting renaissance is upon us. From two-piece sets to quilted coats to body-hugging dresses, the range of knitted (and crocheted) attire went far beyond your average sweater or scarf.
Seeing Multiple
The only thing more exciting than spotting one good look? Seeing two (or more) that looked similar at once. And not just identical ensembles, but also those with less obvious coordination that fit together like yin and yang.