Knitch Magazine

By: Stefanie Goldsten

When you look at knitwear trends from the 2011 Fall/Winter shows, the fashions were all over the map. Designers like Michael Kors, Chanel, and Jason Wu kept it simple and chic, like they always do, and I certainly appreciate their sense of classic style. But here I want to focus on my three favorite trends I saw on the runways of the world for fall – bright colors, oversized pieces, and shades of gray and black.

Jason Wu embraced the gray and black trend with a chic and simple striped pullover. You can always count on Wu for pieces that are timeless, yet modern. Other designers who kept things simple with this muted palette include Badgley Mischka, who showed this flowing cardigan; Chanel, with this grunge-inspired look; and Prabel Gurung, who brought an elegance to the turtleneck, pairing it with a flowing skirt and a skinny belt. DKNY, Rag & Bone, and many others had knitwear pieces that reflected this trend as well. The shapes ranged from sleek and fitted to baggy, oversized pieces, but the trend was steady throughout the season’s shows. Nothing will ever be “the new black,” in my humble opinion, because designers will never abandon the classic quality of it, as well as the dark and mysterious qualities it can provide. Oh, and black is always sexy too! Whether it’s dressed to the nines or just out for a casual stroll, gray and black will always look clean and chic.

On the flip side of the muted gray and black knits were bright, colorful, in-your-face piece that screamed their color, not to mention their unique styles. We always expect bold pieces from designers like Betsey Johnson, who introduced orange, yellow, and fuchsia knits to her collection this year. Missoni’s collections always include splashes of color and graphic elements, as you can see in this tunic mini that was styled so perfectly! Other designers like Michael Kors, Denis Gagnon, DKNY, and Reed Krakoff also added strong colors to their Fall lines. Fuchsia, orange, aqua, and yellow seemed to be the favorites, taking over from the classic bright reds, blues, and purples of previous Fall/Winter seasons. This trend is youthful and is certainly a change of pace from the drab shades of last year. Pairing a bright color with black or denim makes a statement and will certainly get you noticed. The silhouettes ranged from outrageous and oversized to sleek and simple, depending on the designer.

And speaking of oversized, this is a trend we have seen carried over from last year, and I, for one, am glad to see it again! Big, comfy sweaters are a favorite of just about every fashion consumer, so it’s no surprise to see them repeated this year. Classic designers like DKNY and Chanel even embraced the trend this year, bringing their sleek and simple aesthetic to a new shape. How do you combine sleek and oversized? Check out these collections and you’ll see it done to perfection. Designer Isabel Marant has become a cherished designer by knitwear lovers and her Fall/Winter 2011 collection was jam-packed with amazing knits, many of them oversized with funky details. Her knitwear collection for this season was done almost entirely in black and white, which I just love to see on the runway. So graphic! Others who had oversized knits in their collection included Stella McCartney, United Bamboo, and Tommy Hilfiger.