Prada Fall 2016 - Runway Review

Call them the Prada vagabonds. Miuccia Prada has long been Milan Fashion Week’s barometer for trends, and for fall, she overdelivers–but in the best way possible. Corseted up and collars askew, Prada’s models set out on the journey called life layered and accessorized in chains and charms, belts and argyle stockings. Stylish military jackets paired over feminine skirts and dresses are indicative of a menswear-inspired season to come. Indeed, there was nothing dry about these outfits; in fact, Prada delivered plenty of brilliant color and detail, each look chock full of complexity. The designs represented the different facets of a woman as she matures.

She borrowed from the boys, giving us sailor hats and Hawaiian prints, while taking, too, from ‘40s womenswear: feminine dresses and pencil skirts nipped at the waists and finished with lace-up heels. Outerwear, including trenches, capes and anoraks, was of a sturdy, military breed, mostly in olive green or navy blue, and worn with ample skirts, pleated or not, often in brocade, or tiny sheer mini dresses. Sometimes, there was no skirt at all, just argyle tights. As this collection was a meditation on a women’s history, trousers just didn’t fit in.

Adding to that, she layers in bags and small notebooks hanging from charms, and she finishes looks with belted coats and hunting jackets right atop gold brocade or colorful prints. Little purses and sets of galley keys were worn as necklaces or fastened to the neck. As in menswear, looks were finished with sailor caps, these including shiny rain-resistant versions.