The 6 Biggest Spring 2020 Trends Emerging From New York

Now that New York Fashion Week has come and gone, it's time to dig into what some of our favorite spring runways delivered. Unlike most of the collections in Milan and Paris, the shows that call New York home offer some of the most accessible and re-creatable runway looks. Maybe it's because the designers on the schedule tend to be a mix of emerging talent and contemporary labels as opposed heritage brands, but regardless of the reason, the S/S 20 runways at NYFW were flooded with outfit ideas and trends we could easily incorporate into our current wardrobes without expending too much effort or imagination.

It's hard to play favorites since there were so many S/S 20 NYFW trends that won our hearts. But if we had to choose, we suppose the following six are what we're anticipating the most. So when someone asks you what you're looking forward to wearing six months from now, you'll be able to coolly offer, "Well, since you asked, platform sandals, citrus hues like lime and tangerine, and an oversize tote bag are all on my spring shopping list."

Ahead, get your download on the coolest spring trends that are ripe for re-creating, and since we know you won't be able to wait for spring to actually arrive, we've included our shopping options so you can start wearing them now.

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(Image credit: Staud, Tibi, Area)

Platform shoes were all over the spring runways, and although the iterations were as varied as Tibi's sky-high clogs and Staud's colorful satin slides, one thing is abundantly clear: The coolest shoes will all be getting a literal lift for spring.

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Area
(Image credit: Courtesy of Area)

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Staud
(Image credit: Courtesy of Staud)

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Tibi
(Image credit: Courtesy of Tibi)

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(Image credit: JP Yim/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows/Jonathan Simkhai, Maryam Nassir Zadeh, Tibi)

The garish neon hues of the summer have officially given way to a new crop of fresh color trends. Citrusy hues, especially lime green, are poised to dominate this spring. Style them alongside neutral accessories à la Jonathan Simkhai or try a lime-green top to accent a floral skirt like the models at Maryam Nassir Zadeh did.

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Maryam Nassir Zadeh
(Image credit: Courtesy of Maryam Nassir Zadeh)

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Tibi
(Image credit: Courtesy of Tibi)

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Jonathan Simkhai
(Image credit: JP Yim/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows)

Shop the trend:

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(Image credit: Dion Lee, Sandy Liang, Marina Moscone)

Harnesses, garters, and corsets, oh my! Lingerie-inspired silhouettes were everywhere on the NYFW runways, whether it was a leather garter layered over a dress at Dion Lee or a chic visible-bra situation at Marina Moscone.

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Dion Lee
(Image credit: Courtesy of Dion Lee)

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Marina Moscone
(Image credit: Courtesy of Marina Moscone)

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Sandy Liang
(Image credit: Courtesy of Sandy Liang)

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(Image credit: Khaite,VICTOR VIRGILE/GETTY IMAGES/3.1 Phillip Lim, Tory Burch)

Ready or not, oversize bags are gunning for a return. If the spring collections from Khaite, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Tory Burch, and more are any indication, then the XL carryalls in the shape of shopper totes will be the biggest spring bag trend of them all (pun intended). The good news is that the trend is as practical as it is stylish. Throw your laptop, water bottle, and gym clothes in with some extra room to spare.

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Khaite
(Image credit: Courtesy of Khaite)

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3.1 Phillip Lim
(Image credit: VICTOR VIRGILE/GETTY IMAGES)

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Tory Burch
(Image credit: Courtesy of Tory Burch)

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(Image credit: Rosie Assoulin, Batsheva, Christopher John Rogers)

For once, florals aren't at the forefront of the spring fashion lineup, and quite honestly, we're thrilled about it. Nothing against florals, but I think it's time another (equally as springy) print steps into the spotlight, no? Enter check prints. The classic pattern got a reboot for spring in pretty pastel colors with bold, oversize checkers. Picnic in the park, but make it fashion.

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Rosie Assoulin
(Image credit: Courtesy of Rosie Assoulin)

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Christopher John Rogers
(Image credit: Courtesy of Christopher John Rogers)

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Batsheva
(Image credit: Courtesy of Batsheva)

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(Image credit: Gabriela Hearst, Brock Collection, Bevza)

Perhaps we were under-caffeinated while viewing the shows, but after seeing various floaty white dresses parade down the spring runways, we couldn't help but imagine that nightgowns were the inspiration behind these breezy creations. Whether or not they were intended for catching some z's hardly matters when they make for the most effortless spring outfit you'll wear.

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Brock Collection
(Image credit: Courtesy of Brock Collection)

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Gabriela Hearst
(Image credit: Courtesy of Gabriela Hearst)

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Bevza
(Image credit: Courtesy of Bevza)

Shop the trend:

Next up: all the affordable items I spotted on the streets of NYC.

Senior Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.