Fashion was Fun at NYFW

No show summed up our NYFW takeaway more than Collina Strada’s “Touch Grass” presentation—a celebration of joy where models danced, somersaulted, and dove down the aisle. At a time when the world feels chaotic and energy everywhere is heightened, a little levity goes a long way. The clothes matched the vibe, with diaphanous slips blowing in the breeze, romantic ruffles, and adorable bubble skirts. To “touch grass,” literally or figuratively, is to reconnect to the world beyond your screen, and while we’re admittedly more online than ever, it speaks to a longing for real-world connections.

Playfulness was a theme across town, with designers like Alaïa, Tory Burch, Carolina Herrera, and Zankov playing with color, texture, and proportion. And we can't talk about play without mentioning Eckhaus Latta, who took it to the next level with their surprise show. Ulla Johnson has never been more Ulla, sending out a quintessential collection of frilly frocks in sunset hues.

There weren’t a ton of surprises on display. No designer pushed the envelope very far (in our humble opinions). But, in a way, that’s exactly what we needed from the first set of fashion month shows. Want the rest of our hot takes? Here’s what we saw on the NY runways for spring 2025.

Big Pants, Small Tops

SS25’s hottest accessory: Midriffs. Alaïa, Nanuskha (above left), and Brandon Maxwell (above right) were among the designers channeling Sarah Jessica Parker and Lizzy Maguire for an elevated take on the early 2000s with flowing harem pants and tiny tube tops walking the runway. Are low-rise jeans and trousers making a comeback? Maybe. But you can still try the trend on for size with voluminous wide-leg pants and balloon trousers paired with a crop top or bandeau.

Butter Yellow

Butter Yellow first melted our hearts for SS24, and it's still firmly on the radar for next year. Pastels in the spring can be tricky—it’s an art to wear these softer hues without screaming Easter. The most straightforward approach is to swap in the shade wherever you would have worn cream, khaki, or beige. It looks great with reds and blues. We love a head-to-toe butter-yellow look, but aim for suits (like the 3.1 Phillip Lim look above) or tailored separates instead of soft, flowy pieces that can seem too sweet in this shade.