5 trends from Milan Fashion Week you’re about to see everywhere

27 February 2023
By Louise Dunn

Leather co-ords, rhinestone-encrusted bralets, and baggy jeans. Milan fashion week was a trip forward in-time as the Italian fashion houses presented their autumn winter collections for 2023.

There was exemplary tailoring, lingerie dressing, and embellishment in excess. The incoming seasons hues of muted greens, powder blues, and dusty pinks were juxtaposed with vivid reds, high-shine metallics, and a wash of beige (namely by Sportmax and Max Mara). But there were a few standout trends which feel wearable now. We break down what they are, which designers to reference and remark on how to style them. 

Discover FQ’s most relevant trends to adopt now from Milan Fashion Week. 

Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter Collection ‘23 Ready to Wear Trends to Adopt Now | Fashion Quarterly

1. Uncomplicated Denim

In the height of trousers and pants, designers Etro and Gucci have given us the green light to reacquaint ourselves with one of our wardrobe’s most stealth heroes: our denim jeans. Seen in wide or straight renditions tapering high into the waist, the denim jean will work tirelessly alongside your ‘relaxed trousers’ that have been in heavy rotation for the past several seasons. Seemingly all appearing in a rigid denim with a slight fade, they’re lending themselves to an undeniably ‘70s vibe.

Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter Collection ‘23 Ready to Wear Trends to Adopt Now | Fashion Quarterly
Gucci Fall/Winter ‘23 Ready to Wear
Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter Collection ‘23 Ready to Wear Trends to Adopt Now | Fashion Quarterly
Etro Fall/Winter ‘23 Ready to Wear
Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter Collection ‘23 Ready to Wear Trends to Adopt Now | Fashion Quarterly
Gucci Fall/Winter ‘23 Ready to Wear

2. Mini Lengths

MetService giving you mixed messages? Milan has our inclement weather sorted. Whether it’s a longline blazer, a pea coat, or a leather jacket, designers have played with proportions, styling these oversized garments to sit over skirts or dresses which finish within the same length leaving the legs long and exposed – but not bare. Thigh high boots or collegiate-style flats keep the micro lengths modest and playful. Bottega Veneta, Prada and MM6 Maison Margiela are your references this season.

Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter Collection ‘23 Ready to Wear Trends to Adopt Now | Fashion Quarterly
Prada Fall/Winter ‘23 Ready to Wear
Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter Collection ‘23 Ready to Wear Trends to Adopt Now | Fashion Quarterly
Etro Fall/Winter ‘23 Ready to Wear
Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter Collection ‘23 Ready to Wear Trends to Adopt Now | Fashion Quarterly
Bottega Veneta Fall/Winter ‘23 Ready to Wear
Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter Collection ‘23 Ready to Wear Trends to Adopt Now | Fashion Quarterly
MM6 Maison Margiela Fall/Winter ‘23 Ready to Wear

3. Second Skin

Ostrich leather, pansy-painted leather, crimson snakeskin, leather – faux or otherwise – is a key player for fall/winter. We’ve seen it hammered heavily in New York and London and with Milan’s liberal inclusions, it’s safe to say you have permission to invest in this highly tactile material for autumn/winter. Seen in coats, jackets, gilets, midi skirts, and boots, take comfort in knowing this is a hard trend to get wrong.

Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter Collection ‘23 Ready to Wear Trends to Adopt Now | Fashion Quarterly
Sportmax Fall/Winter ‘23 Ready to Wear
Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter Collection ‘23 Ready to Wear Trends to Adopt Now | Fashion Quarterly
Bottega Veneta Fall/Winter ‘23 Ready to Wear
Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter Collection ‘23 Ready to Wear Trends to Adopt Now | Fashion Quarterly
Etro Fall/Winter ‘23 Ready to Wear
Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter Collection ‘23 Ready to Wear Trends to Adopt Now | Fashion Quarterly
Bottega Veneta Fall/Winter ‘23 Ready to Wear
Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter Collection ‘23 Ready to Wear Trends to Adopt Now | Fashion Quarterly
Fendi Fall/Winter ‘23 Ready to Wear

4. Going Grey

A popular hue seen cascading down Milan Fashion Week runways was all shades of grey. Often seen in workwear-inspired cuts, this malleable achromatic shade is the perfect accompaniment to accents of vibrant colour without being overbearing. Prada pared the colour back with neutrals brown and dark green before bringing it back to life with tints of hot pink, and orange; both Emporio Armani and MM6 Maison Margiela used different materials to add contrast; and for Bottega Veneta and Fendi grey leather and heavy tweed was employed throughout their collection to anchor their more fluid colours.

Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter Collection ‘23 Ready to Wear Trends to Adopt Now | Fashion Quarterly
Fendi Fall/Winter ‘23 Ready to Wear
Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter Collection ‘23 Ready to Wear Trends to Adopt Now | Fashion Quarterly
Prada Fall/Winter ‘23 Ready to Wear
Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter Collection ‘23 Ready to Wear Trends to Adopt Now | Fashion Quarterly
Emporio Armani Fall/Winter ‘23 Ready to Wear
Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter Collection ‘23 Ready to Wear Trends to Adopt Now | Fashion Quarterly
Prada Fall/Winter ‘23 Ready to Wear

5. Itty-Bitty City

Leaving little to the imagination, there’s definitely a lot to admire about the scantily embellished styles seen dropping-jaws on the runways at Gucci, Dolce&Gobanna, and Moschino. Intricate detailing, hyper feminine cuts, and inherently fun materials will work their way into our wardrobes by way of accessorising at the very least. If there’s anything the Italians know how to execute well without a hint of irony, it’s bedazzling.

Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter Collection ‘23 Ready to Wear Trends to Adopt Now | Fashion Quarterly
Gucci Fall/Winter ‘23 Ready to Wear
Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter Collection ‘23 Ready to Wear Trends to Adopt Now | Fashion Quarterly
Moschino Fall/Winter ‘23 Ready to Wear
Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter Collection ‘23 Ready to Wear Trends to Adopt Now | Fashion Quarterly
Dolce&Gabbana Fall/Winter ‘23 Ready to Wear

Photography: Spotlight Launchmetrics

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