Street Style Proves It: The Look of Luxury Is Evolving

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By Simbarashe Cha

Thursday Feb. 20, 2025

New York Times

Two charming cropped coats distinguished by pockets and pleats. Photo / Simbarashe Cha for They New York Times.

It is far less quiet, if the clothes on and off runways at New York Fashion Week were any indication.

Quiet luxury is dead. That refrain has already emerged as a potent theme of this fashion month, which kicked off with New York Fashion Week. The clothes worn on and

Amid the usual sea of wintry blacks, greys and layers outside shows, there was also snakeskin and animal (mostly leopard) prints.

The most lavish versions, if not real, could have easily been mistaken as natural. The same could not be said for the exaggerated silhouettes of models in certain flamboyantly proportioned garments on the runway – big, baggy Coach trousers, for example, or a Fforme coat with elongated arms.

Another sign of shifting tastes was the abundance of fur. More inescapable than in seasons past, its heavy presence was notable given how many people and brands have professed an aversion to the material.

Some who noticed the uptick saw it as motivated by more than style trends: I heard people musing that, with all going on in the world right now, wearing fur might be the last thing people are worried about.

Luxury on and off runway at New York Fashion Week

Beads injected pops of colour into an earth-toned ensemble. Photo / Simbarashe Cha for The New York Times.

An outfit with an Army green peacoat and utilitarian cargo pants had traces of military style. Photo / Simbarashe Cha for The New York Times.

Coach was among the labels that showed animal prints on the runway. Photo / Simbarashe Cha for The New York Times.

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Outerwear both shaggy and sublime.
Photo / Simbarashe Cha for The New York Times — Outerwear both shaggy and sublime. Photo / Simbarashe Cha for The New York Times

At the Meruert Tolegen show, a knotty hooded sweater was styled with an asymmetric poufy skirt. Photo / Simbarashe Cha for The New York Times

Sometimes fur came in small doses, like on the trim of a bag or a pair of gloves. Photo / Simbarashe Cha for The New York Times

A claw clip accessorises a coat. Photo / Simbarashe Cha for The New York Times

Cruella de Vil’s spotted coat came to mind. Photo / Simbarashe Cha for The New York Times

A seductively swishy look at Fforme. Photo / Simbarashe Cha for The New York Times.

Attendees at the Nordstrom party. Photo / Simbarashe Cha for The New York Times.

Chloe East (left) and Hana Adams (right) at the Prada party. Photo / Landon Nordeman for The New York Times

Attendees at the Marc Jacobs after-party at Sloane's. Photo / Landon Nordeman for The New York Times

Street style shows that the look of luxury is evolving. Photo / Simbarashe Cha for They New York Times.

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Actress Dascha Polanco poses for a video at the Christian Cowan after-party at Casa Cipriani. Photo / Landon Nordeman for The New York Times

A member of the electronic music group Two Shell at the Eckhaus Latta party at the Russian Tea Room. Photo / Landon Nordeman for The New York Times

Attendees at the Christopher John Rogers after party at The Manner. Photo / Landon Nordeman for The New York Times

Attendees at a New York Fashion Week kick-off party at the Rainbow Room. Photo / Landon Nordeman for The New York Times

Pigs in a blanket served at the Eckhaus Latta party at the Russian Tea Room. Photo / Landon Nordeman for The New York Times

Cole Escola (left) at a party celebrating Jimmy Choo’s spring 2025 campaign. Photo / Landon Nordeman for The New York Times

Tara Carroll (centre), and Roze Traore at Mert Alas party at Clemente Bar. Photo / Landon Nordeman for The New York Times

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