2000s Runways for Winter Wardrobe Inspiration
Written by Theron Hilbert
As fall slips into the cold, unforgiving winter of Wisconsin, many fashionable residents have begun their search for the perfect wardrobe to withstand the wind and snow without having to sacrifice personal style. Admittedly, it’s tough. While trends like Ralph Lauren Christmas and polka dots continue to dominate, some may be looking for something more curated to bundle up this season. If you’re looking for some fresh inspiration, or you’re simply curious about what the title may have in store, you’ve clicked to the right place. Welcome to a collection of runway shows that have been populating my Pinterest and pulling me out of my cold weather rut.
Starting off with something simple, and slightly predictable, we have Dolce & Gabbana’s 2006 Fall Ready-to-Wear collection. Many of the looks are what you’d expect from the brand and the season. There’s a multitude of chunky cable knits and cozy, oversized structures reminiscent of a cuddly teddy bear. Many of the looks are all-white; achieved with a copious layering of tights, legwarmers, socks and fuzzy platform boots. Unsurprisingly, the classic red tartan that Ralph Lauren Christmas has sunk its claws into is present in many of the pieces, as well as Fair Isle print. I don’t have anything negative to say about either of those patterns: If they’re not broken, don’t fix them! To add a finishing sparkle, the collection included a variety of shimmering, eye-catching pieces that truly made the winter wonderland theme apparent. If you’re looking for inspiration that isn’t as unattainable as runway fashion can normally be, this is the first place I’d recommend looking. I’ve been following suit in my admiration and leaning heavily into huge, soft-knit sweaters and fur boots of any kind. I’d mention sparkles as well, but that’s a 365 thing for me. Try it!
If D&G Fall 2006 is a little sister, then Blugirl Fall 2005 is the older one. It’s slightly preppy, kind of edgy, but still continues popular themes of winter fashion without being boring. The first thing I’d like to mention, solely out of personal excitement, is the inclusion of trapper hats. A personal fave. This collection stands out because it includes things you’d expect, but in an unexpected way. There are icy blues, deep jewel tones and shades of rust. There’s fur, velvet, tartan, and layers of complementing accessories. However, almost everything is unconventional. There are anticipated color schemes, but they’re featured in flouncy, floral dresses. There’s fur and velvet, but they’ve been incorporated into belts, necklaces, bracelets, socks and headbands rather than being one complete garment. It’s refreshing, creative, and most importantly, incredibly easy to mold your personal wardrobe into. Your new belt could be as easy as buying a roll of ribbon. If this article catches you before you shove your summer clothes in a closet, I’d highly recommend taking a look at the collection and pondering if that one sundress can be given the gift of seeing the snow.
If winter makes you want to dress in all black and pretend you’re Lily Rose Depp in Nosferatu, this next collection will excite you. Valentino’s Fall 2002 collection is the epitome of what can only be described as a dramatic, fashionable vampire. The pieces lean very heavily into muted animal print and ornamental patterns, coupled with the obvious inclusion of heavy, foreboding black pieces. As we’ve seen in the two previous Some of the more structured, pantsuit-adjacent looks are juxtaposed by draped capes, flowing silks and layered sheer pieces. In contrast to many of the collections I’d studied for this article, Valentino moves away from previously popular fall/winter motifs and steps into his own fabulous, albeit impractical, showcase of dark femininity. The drama is the point. The heavy inclusion of elegant black lace and intimidating silhouettes is the cherry-on-top of the collection. Altogether, the show is wicked, but gorgeous. Eerie, but beautiful.
I’m sure by now you can most likely glean my personal style through the collections I’ve selected to nerd out about. Betsey Johnson Fall 2002 is, in my personal opinion, the eclectic inspo-dump that you, dear reader, should be paying the most attention to. The only way this show can possibly be described is as a mixture of dopamine dressing, the indie sleaze revival, and a sprinkle of cabaret influence. Johnson did a fantastic job at combining loud, obnoxious colors like hot pink and chartreuse with grunge neutrals like army green and black. She includes culottes and newsboy caps in the same looks as thigh-high lace socks and double-layered ruffle corsets. The collection is a magnificent blend of masculine and feminine, while still including elements that viewers may expect, like fur and leather pieces. There are delicate silk dresses with metal studs and zippers, layered on a model with an 80s punk rock updo. It’s chic, but it’s random. It does not match, and that’s entirely the point. The layering elements alone are what I think make it appropriate for a Wisconsin winter, but Johnson’s creativity as a designer is what makes the collection something to aspire to as we move into the new season.
We all know that fur and dark colors are imperative to a winter wardrobe. While these collections had those anticipated inclusions, I do hope that they pushed you to think outside the box of what can be defined as cold-weather clothing. As you scurry off to Pinterest to continue curating your new closet, I will leave you with these tips: Buy those fleece-lined tights (serious game changer.) Wear them under everything. Buy hand warmers for the pockets of your fabulous coats. Wear two pairs of socks. Most importantly, dress how you want to dress. There is not a single collection, designer or online trend that can dress you better than you can. Stay true to what inspires you, and the outfit will come together automatically.
Edited by Galilea Matus
