Trends from Fashion Weeks 2023 on a Budget

Twice a year, designers at New York Fashion Week debut cutting-edge styles for the upcoming season through displaying high-end, haute couture pieces on the runway. While these extravagant pieces are known for setting trends, you can enjoy your own version of fashion week looks without paying designer prices. Use the themes, colors, and silhouettes that you love from 2023’s avant-grade fashion week pieces to inspire daily wear looks that won’t break the bank. Here are some of the top trends from 2023’s fashion weeks, plus tips for incorporating them into your wardrobe on a budget:

Crochet and Macrame

Crochet, macrame, and loose knits featured heavily in the Spring 2023 fashion week designs that debuted in September 2022. Long, dramatic tassels, spiderweb crochet women’s tank tops, midi dresses, and macrame matching sets all hit the runway. The detailed weaving conveys a combination of both delicacy and whimsy, from fully-crocheted maxi dresses for women to breezy coverup tops.

Crochet is always done by hand, making it a luxury item that often comes with a matching price tag. For a more affordable way to wear this trend, look for clothing that incorporates crocheted details, instead of splurging on a fully-crocheted garment. Try on a halter top with braided cord straps or a sweater with crocheted cuffs. Loose knits and long fringe are another way to add an affordable, subtle nod to the crochet theme.

Statement Maxi Skirts

Slim maxi skirts that make a statement are in for Fall 2023. Multiple designers featured belted, low-rise tall skirts with a sleek silhouette. Basic neutral fabrics and minimalist lines make this look both casual and refined. Luckily, the diverse options on the runway can give you plenty of inspiration for your own affordable take on this style.

To incorporate this trendy piece into your wardrobe on a budget, look for long skirts in a lightweight fabric. You can add your own matching chunky belt over your skirt for an extra pop of interest. From body-con maxi skirts in stretchy materials to more structured, straight skirts, it’s easy to find an affordable maxi skirt that fits in with your personal style. Get the most out of this relaxed trend by pairing your statement skirt with a simple staple top that’s already in your wardrobe, like a knit tank top or long sleeve in a neutral color.

Metallic Textiles

Metallics made a statement at both the Spring and Fall 2023 fashion weeks. Shimmery silver body suits, crinkled chrome maxi dresses, silver capes, and even gowns made of shiny metal cutlery debuted on the runway. Metallic textiles can add a bit of drama to your wardrobe, even if you incorporate it in much more subtle ways than the striking avant-garde looks at fashion week.

Look for silver and pastel metallic fabrics to accent your closet. You can find metallics in everything from silk brocade to spandex, giving you plenty of room to find a material that fits your budget. Metallic tops with draping in the front are perfect for a night out, and a simple shimmery scarf can reference this trend in an affordable way. Only want a pop of sparkle? Metallic earrings or a few simple silver bangles can bring the effervescent, shimmery aesthetic to any of your outfits.

Bedazzled Details

Designers loved bejeweled embellishments at this year’s fashion weeks, with bedazzled fabrics, gemstones, and sequins featuring on several looks. Many of the designers added bejeweled motifs in a repeating pattern over structured, plain garments, creating a contrast between simple and decadent.

To incorporate this look into your existing wardrobe, add a sparkly brooch–or a few–to a basic, structured garment, like a button-down, blazer, or peplum top. You can fix the brooch at your collar or pocket or get creative with the placement to emulate runway looks. Match your most dramatic jewelry with plain black and white pieces for an avant-garde effect.

Faux Fur

Faux fur is expected to trend this winter, with dramatic, puffy jackets and long womens coats with faux-fur necklines. Although faux fur is typically more affordable than real fur, it can still be quite pricey–especially for designer pieces. For a budget-friendly way to incorporate the dramatic fur look into your closet, opt for small pops of faux fur in your outfit. A faux fur-lined hat, a jacket with faux fur cuffs, or a faux fur scarf can be a fun and elegant addition to your winter ensembles. Black and white fur patterns were especially popular on the 2023 fashion week runways, so consider looking for pieces with black and white stripes or spots.