This is how you’re going to dress next

Sheer power, high-voltage glamour and long shorts. These are the trends you’re going to be wearing from fashion week.

A model walks the runway during the Carla Zampatti show during Australian Fashion Week. Picture: Getty Images

Fashion week is many things, nonpareil people watching, fertile ground for spying new talent and the barometer for what people will be wearing next year.

This is the case not only on the runways but also on the street style set. In case you’re wondering, the pantsless trend that has taken hold of celebrities such as Kendall Jenner and runways around the world absolutely translates to the real world. Or at least, the fashion world. Going sans-trousers, but with tights and long coats, was a look spied on (and off) the runway throughout the week. The same could be said for little pops of red, with the fashion set styling red socks with slingbacks and jaunty red scarfs tied around bags. The death of the necktie, meanwhile, appears to be vastly exaggerated. Well, maybe just at the office, but the fashion crowd can’t get enough of them styled with jeans or slouchy suits. Other unlikely fashion trends? Boardshorts not at the beach, rugby stripes not at the match and, charmingly, elegant hats have made a comeback.

Golden marabou coats at Carla Zampatti. Picture: Getty Images

Repurposing and stripes at Alix Higgins. Picture: Getty Images

In any case, the runways, where the clothes shown will generally not make it onto the shop floor for another six months (or indeed online boutique), are a glimpse of the future.

So what does the future look like?

Versatile pieces that work with what you have already, or special pieces that enliven everything in your wardrobe (and also your spirit) and that will be a source of joy forever seem like a good idea in these straitened times.

Below, five trends to know from this year’s Australian Fashion Week – pants-or pantslessness optional.

Sheer power

A model walks the runway during the Carla Zampatti. Picture: Getty Images

A model walks the runway during the P.E. Nation show during Australian Fashion Week. Picture: Getty Images

This was one of the most pervasive trends. Whether it was sheer midi skirts at the likes of P.E. Nation and Beare Park, sheer turtlenecks at Carla Zampatti or lace dance floor ready dresses at Michael Lo Sordo, there’s no sign of this trend abating. Backless dresses were another key trend and the ultimate way to make an exit. For those seeking a little more coverage opt for a slip underneath or wear sheer pieces under a blazer.

Molten magic

A model walks the runway during the BEC + BRIDGE show. Picture: Getty Images

A model walks the runway during the Rory William Docherty show during Australian Fashion Week. Picture: Getty Images

Gold and silver accents were a common theme, adding a gleaming dash of glamour. This was a thread at one of the standout shows of the week from New Zealander Rory William Docherty who showed a crinkled almost aluminium foil textured sculptural dress and blazer, while Blanca also had a high voltage gold belted-in blazer, Acler did gilded dancing boots and Bec & Bridge had a gleaming silver shirt that would seriously glam up an office look.

Denim, redux (and denim tux)

A model walks the runway during the ANNA QUAN. Picture: Getty Images

A model walks the runway during the Acler show during Australian Fashion Week. Picture: Getty Images

The Canadian tuxedo has been back for so long it’s not even ironic anymore. Actually it’s become rather chic. Anna Quan was one label to showcase an elevated take on it with longline denim vests and jeans. It was her first foray into denim, a category she entered with caution and much research. Harder-edged versions were spied at Injury with heavy duty buckles and distressed denim and at Acler rounded shoulder denim blazers with sculptural buttons were paired with denim maxiskirts. Another designer to launch denim was Beare Park with co-founder and creative director Gabriella Pereira describing her foray as baggy jeans and big shorts. Both are another key trend for the season ahead.

Short order

A model walks the runway during the Vijtoria & Woods show during Australian Fashion Week. Picture: Getty Images

A model walks the runway during the Albus Lumen show during Australian Fashion Week. Picture: Getty Images

Whether it’s tailored knee-length short suits, board shorts or baggy denim ones, shorts were spied all over the runways this season. You could wear them to work with a blazer and kitten heels or try shorter ones with a longer-line trench coat (another great staple of the runways this season. Look to the likes of Albus Lumen, Alix Higgins, Verner and Viktoria & Woods for inspiration – the latter had particularly 9-5 friendly options.

Knit-wits

A model walks the runway during the VIKTORIA & WOODS show during Australian Fashion Week. Picture: Getty Images

A model walks the runway during the Beare Park show during Australian Fashion Week. Picture: Getty Images

It makes sense in a time when the once eminently sensible cardigan has had something of a fashion, and really quite minxy, makeover in recent seasons for knitwear to be reimagined at fashion week. From the cashmere at Beare Park to knitted midi-skirt sets (not to mention the tweedy bouclé) at Anna Quan and sweet butter hued cardigan and little short sets at Viktoria & Woods, there’s plenty of ways to rug up.

Oh, and bubble hems are back. The ‘80s favourite was spotted at Rory William Docherty, Em on Holiday and Emily Watson at the Next Gen show. Fun in fashion, another trend that ought to stick around.