Fashion adapts to life beyond the pandemic with functional going-out apparel

Pre-Fall looks are a lot less dramatic than their Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter counterparts, mostly made up of pieces that are timeless and relatively easy to mix and match with anything. Photo: Versace

The season of Pre-Fall is here, so hello to sunshine colours, chic skirts and suits, and comfortable, simple styles.

Warm textures are a large part of the Pre-Fall 2022 collections, as are staple black numbers and striking red pieces.

Like the rest of the world, the fashion industry is still adapting to life beyond the pandemic, and useful, simple beauty is the way to go, as we cling on to the comfortable and cosy attire we got accustomed to during those long months at home.

Designers are slowly easing us into pre-pandemic going-out apparel, while keeping things functional.

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The prelude to Fall/Winter styles, Pre-Fall collections function as a way to gauge what designers should adopt, and what they should drop, for their upcoming collections.

Pre-Fall looks are a lot less dramatic than their Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter counterparts, mostly made up of pieces that are timeless and relatively easy to mix and match with anything.

There are of course, standout pieces and ensembles, and this time around, there’s a lot of volume, bright colours and fun prints.

Cheerful hues

Rainbow palettes and prints are all over Pre-Fall collections this year, signifying hope for new beginnings in a world still adapting to living with Covid-19.

In Versace’s collection, pops of colour come from total looks in the brand’s La Greca pattern, and the Ventagli print: an archival design decorated with colourful fans that appears as silk inserts on leather jackets, dresses, tops, and cocktail looks

Ganni’s incorporating of bright hues into otherwise plain pieces are a breath of fresh air, while Moschino delights with numerous colourful pieces.Denim revival

Who doesn’t love denim? Whether it’s long or short pants or a chic jacket, this beloved style is back with a vengeance this season.

Brands like Loewe, Diesel and Balenciaga are finding creative new ways to bring denim into our wardrobes, using various techniques to reimagine new styles of wearing it.

Loose-fitting denim is also gaining traction in designer circles, with brands like Chanel giving their jeans a loungewear feel with elastic waistbands, while other designers are introducing the coolest-looking denim hoodies.

Soft lime green

Helmut Lang, Carolina Herrera, Ganni, among others, are using soft lime green in their designs in creative ways.

This striking hue appears as both the main event and the opening act, from uber-elegant gowns and super cool jackets to accents on bags and accessories, gloves and headgear.

Soft lime green appears on everything from gowns to the inside lapel of a jacket. Photo: Instagram/Carolina Herrera

Lovely leopard

Once shunned as an unsavoury print, leopard has been cropping up everywhere, on every single item of clothing imaginable.

Several Pre-Fall collections have used this animal print on cool weather closet essentials such as jackets, coats and hoodies.

This print inspired by the big cat isn’t the only wild print gracing clothing, as zebra and tiger print are also featured prominently in several collections.

Shorts, skirts and suits

The chic shorts and miniskirts from Spring are here to stay. Among the brands that are keeping short skirts around for a few more months are Balmain, Burberry, Chanel, to name a few, with some taking it up a notch by pairing them with suits.

Oscar de la Renta takes a relaxed approach to tailoring with sleek day suits, which feature bold, degrade colours and shorter hemlines.

A refreshing twist on the 1990s, colours are striking and prints are of the gorgeous floral variety.

Elegant yet fun shorts are paired with matching suits. Photo: Instagram/Oscar De La Renta

Red alert

Before the maroons, burgundies and rosewoods of Fall make their way into stores, bright red punctuates the Pre-Fall offerings currently available.

Get excited about dressing up in eveningwear with selections from Adeam, David Koma, Dior, Salvatore Ferragamo and more, in the form of red-hot jumpsuits, crimson gowns and cherry coats.

Comfortable long-sleeved casualwear from Jil Sander and semi-formal two-piece suits from Moschino are just as eye-catching as sexy, lacy pieces from Zuhair Murad.

Trendy tweed

Pre collections are also including a lot of tweed pieces on their racks, no longer reserved for once-in-a-while use.

From sleeveless rompers in wool to off-shoulder mini dresses, tweed isn’t just reserved for jackets, it’s seeping into all forms of clothing.

That isn’t to say, you can’t still wear tweed jackets, just change your style up a little by pairing them with loose skirts or pants.

Plaid, on various items of clothing, is prevalent this season. Photo: Instagram/Roberto Cavalli

Power of plaid

Plaid is prevalent in Pre-Fall 2022 collections, in all shapes and forms.

From preppy to grunge, you’ll find plaid on long coats, miniskirts, long skirts, flowy dresses – and many, many accessories.

There are tons of ways to wear plaid – punk, preppy or polished – you can’t go wrong with this style staple.

The Knot

It’s amazing how a knot can transform just about any item of clothing.

Twist the bottom of your shirt into a knot to give your top more shape, or hike up a long, wrap skirt by gathering and tying the waist – the knot isn’t just a useful tool to make your clothes fit better, it’s a statement on its own.

Brands like Proenza Schouler and Tory Burch have creatively incorporated the knot into the necklines of dresses and cardigans, as are The Row’s Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, who bring volume and sophistication to dresses that would otherwise be rather basic.

The knot is becoming its own style statement, seen on dresses and tops. Photo: Instagram/Tory Burch

Fluffy fashion

With most of the population having gotten used to curling up in cosy coats and fuzzy slippers during those long lockdown periods, designers realised that that same level of comfort can be achieved with attire that goes beyond your front door.

Snuggly garments in the form of knee-high fluffy boots, trousers and slip dresses in fuzzy textures and stunning coats are all the rage at the moment, thanks to labels like Burberry, No. 21, Christopher John Rogers and R13.

Read more: The ‘coconut girl’ fashion trend returns once again this season

Classic black

Black is, always has been and always will be a fashion essential, and when done right,

Take your pick of little black dresses, jumpsuits and two-piece styles from Chanel, Balmain, Versace and Oscar de la Renta, as well as endless options for basics from virtually every brand in existence.