What We Wore and What’s Next

AS A STUDENT of classical mythology, I was introduced to Janus, worshiped by the ancient Romans as the god of all beginnings as well as the god of exits and entrances. A “janus” was a ceremonial gateway in Rome through which mighty armies once marched. In paintings, sculpture and on coins, the god is represented by a double-faced head, which is thought to be looking forward and looking back.

High-collar, see-through lace blouses mixed prim with sexy in Joseph Altuzarra’s fall 2015 collection.

Model Kendall Jenner (left) wears a shaggy blue fur coat over a matching, sparkling turtleneck on Michael Kors’s fall 2015 runway. At Elizabeth and James, a fluffy blush Mongolian lamb coat.

’70s-inspired wide-leg pants get a luxe touch in velvet from Dries Van Noten’s fall 2015 collection. Note the fringed metallic top.

Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen produce the super-luxe label, The Row, along with the more accessible line, Elizabeth and James. For the latter, they layer the utilitarian turtleneck under a dress.

Before the word “athleisure” was invented, Rag & Bone designers Marcus Wainwright had mastered the sports-inspired look on the runway.

Shiny metallics don’t seem to go out of style, especially during the dark days of winter. From Michael Kors’s fall 2015 runway collection.

Which is what everyone seems to be doing this time of year. InStyle and The New York Times, among others, chronicled fashion’s biggest moments of 2015, including Caitlyn Jenner’s arrival on the fashion scene and the departures of Dior’s Raf Simons and Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz.  In trends, designers looked back to the ’70s with wide-leg pants, fedoras and fringe all touted as must-haves. The influential Marc Jacobs took a liking to Victorian looks on his fall runway, as did Joseph Altuzarra with his prim lace blouses. Turtlenecks made a comeback and so did fur, both faux and real. And, let’s not forget “winter florals,” athletic-inspired attire and puffer coats. One of the few looking or rather leaping ahead was Belgian designer Iris Van Herpen whose 3-D printing and innovative use of materials like stainless steel gave her fall collection an otherworldly, sci-fi look.

Speaking of science fiction, the new film, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” is poised to influence our fashion choices for 2016. Says fashion critic Vanessa Friedman in The New York Times, …”I would look out for (in no particular order, and in both men’s and women’s wear): the return of sand tones; the rise of the flight-suit variation of the jumpsuit; distressed leather; pleated drapery beyond Fortuny silks; and tailored kimono dressing.”

An excess story? Dries Van Noten skillfully layers embellishments with prints for spring 2015.

Proof that denim is constantly reinvented, a spring 2015 runway dress from Chanel.

From left to right: Retro tie-dye gets a new life this spring, as in this silk top and matching trousers from Narciso Rodriguez. Francisco Costa at Calvin Klein reinterpreted the lingerie-inspired slip dress of old and Tommy Hilfiger did the same for the track suit.

On Marc Jacobs’s spring 2016 runway, embellishments stood out, on handbags (left) and on clothing (right).

Shoulders made a big show on spring 2016 runways. Left, at Proenza Schouler and right, sedately, in a nautical, striped halter dress from Ralph Lauren.