Three Is a Trend: Spring 2016

In case we've forgotten where we are, Brit designers are taking a bit of the portrait gallery from the Royal Academy of Arts to the catwalk—albeit on very modern ways. Old time sleeves from the leg 'o mutton to the bishop have found their way onto the runways of Erdem, on a cut-out shoulder floral gown, at J.W. Anderson, on a printed black and white look and on a new take on the LBD at Simone Rocha. Merry old England, indeed.

While Fall offered the demure lace Victorian blouse, the runway is upping the ante on see-through lace. Sheer dresses in the precious fabrication skip the pomp and circumstance of slips in favor of bikini underthings. Topshop added floral appliqués to the idea, Preen gathered the fabrication for added volume and Simone Rocha lent her signature romantic notions to her lace dress.

While the '70s trend has remained strong, it has materialized mostly as a modern take on clean, casual separates in rich neutrals. This '70s is all about the band babe—think mixed prints and chiffon dresses and embellished flares layered with suede jackets and vests or mongolian fur bomber jackets—as seen at Alice + Olivia, Coach and Rodarte. Roadies not included.

While raffia is generally a hippie-centric fabric, the Spring runways polished up this natural weave—putting it on workwear-erady vests and pants at Edun, candy colored cover-ups at Delpozo and on a slick green trench at Jason Wu. Consider it finding your inner bohemian even as you play the part of a lady.

All of those fans of garconne chic may need to rediscover their feminine sides. Designers for Spring are making thing pink (and ruffled!) with dresses and skirting that just make a girl feel pretty at Tome, Isa Arfen and Jason Wu.

The recent '70s trend brought with it an affinity for the ultra high-rise. The pendulum is swinging far the other way for Spring with slouchy, low rise trousers—with a '90s Aaliyah feel at Rosie Assoulin, wide leg tie-waist pants at Derek Lam and sequin board shorts at Tibi.

There's an ongoing Instagram hashtag, #robelife, which signifies the luxury moment in a high end hotel room when you get to chill wrapped in terr cloth. Designers are taking the emotion to the streets—with silk and poplin robes for day from Givenchy, Thakoon and Public School.

Off-the-shoulder has been a reigning fashion girl favorite. Next up, that subtle sex appeal is coming in cool cut outs on tops and dresses from Rachel Zoe, Derek Lam and Wes Gordon.

While solids are always in season, Spring's print is shaping up to be a bit trippy—fashion folk have been hitting Burning Man in droves, after all. Perhaps in homage to that hippie movement, tie dye is making a comeback at Altuzarra, Baja East and Thakoon.