By Sara Bauknecht

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

(MCT)

NEW YORK — In fashion, as in life, there’s no need to re-create the wheel.

For spring 2015, designers borrowed from classic styles, silhouettes and shades from the past (and some from more recently) and breathed new energy into them. The result: collections that cater to women of today while staying true to the designer’s aesthetic.

Fashion insiders from across the globe got a peek at what’s in store for early next year at New York Fashion Week, which wrapped up last week after eight days of runway shows and presentations at venues across the Big Apple.

Here’s a sampling of the top trends:

Pretty in pastel: Designers dabbled in soft, sugary color palettes, including pale pink, powder blue, sunshine yellow and citrine. Some used muted hues as a base and added warmer tones (think sage with a pop of tangerine, for instance). Purple also was an important player (perhaps some lingering love for the 2014 color of the year, Radiant Orchid?) with everything from dusty amethyst to deep indigo coloring clothes. Sometimes they were tinted with metallics for a more modern take. Meanwhile, there was nary an all-over neon look to be found, unlike just a few seasons ago when “the brighter the better” was the mantra.

Nods to nature: Designers must have had Mother Nature in mind when sketching their spring collections because outdoors references were abundant, particularly when it came to prints. Lush, leafy greens, delicate florals, and bright and bold flower prints often were set against darker fabrics. Taking second place for top inspirations: travel, with several designers singling out the Mediterranean or Japan.

Off the shoulder: Sensuality for spring will mean dresses and tops swept over one shoulder, leaving the other exposed. Small cut-outs and the occasional deep V neckline gave glimpses of skin that felt fresh and sophisticated.

Gingham style: One of the more prominent retro references was gingham prints in a variety of colors and sizes, from mini black-and-white checkerboards to windowpane blocks of white with pastels. Designers kept it chic by juxtaposing the print with sheers, a solid color or a simpler pattern that didn’t compete for attention.

Special touches: Embroidery, beaded and bejeweled embellishments, sequins and appliques brought more than meets the eye to ensembles. From a distance, geometrics or florals on a frock might appear to be just a print, but a closer look revealed hand-done beadwork and other intricate elements. Others added visual interest to their garments with origami-like folds.

Infused with androgyny: Masculine-met-feminine in fashions for spring through boyish, sometimes over-sized silhouettes done in earthy hues. Layering masculine pieces over feminine ones (a pair of printed or colored shorts topped with a boxy blazer, for example) helped the two aesthetics appear harmonious.

Pleated to perfection: Skinny pleats put fluidity into everything from floor-length chiffon gowns to tiered midi-skirts. Pleating also acted as a luxe detail when used sparingly to accent tops and jackets.

Sneaker envy: Chunky sneakers and sandals kept even dressier looks dressed down. When stilettos were expected, designers swapped them for casual kicks that gave clothes a sporty feel (even if they weren’t!) that was in line with fashion’s ongoing obsession with athletic wear.

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(For more updates from the runway, visit the fashion blog Stylebook at www.post-gazette.com/stylebook .)

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