In my 22 years in the fashion industry I haven’t seen knitwear make as big a statement as it has this year. It has absolutely exploded, with sweaters becoming the fashionable piece, paired with every style of bottom. And there is no stopping the trend.

Overalls, or dungarees as I am used to calling them, have been a fringe trend for about a year. And I mean super fringe. You might know the bib-front style all too well because you wore dungarees as a child. They’ve been coming through in casual farmer-esque denim, as well as dressier leather, pleather, silky fabrications and drapey polyester blends. Some styles are oversized and some are tailored.

The man coat is a subtle way to wear an oversized coat because although shapeless and straight through the back and torso, it’s structured on the shoulder and hip. Other fashion forward and trendy coat styles are a lot more oversized. Dropped shoulder seams, waist surrendering cocoon silhouettes, round shoulders, roomy sleeves, low stances and generally huge lapels. Some styles are collarless, and lengths vary from mid-thigh to below the knee. Most styles taper at the hems for structure, but some styles are wide from the armholes down.

The peacoat is a familiar outerwear silhouette. It’s a short, double-breasted wool coat with a revere collar and long sleeves. Lengths vary from just below the waist to hip skimming. There are two rows of buttons, and pockets which range from side entry to patch and welted styles. Tab and epaulette details on the sleeves and at the back are optional. Most fits are pretty tailored, but fashion forward designers are also showing oversized variations.

I had no idea what a backpack was until I came to America ten years ago. When my dear friend Laurel mentioned wearing a backpack, I imagined a pack of ice that she wore to soothe back pain. We eventually figured out that a “backpack” was what I called a “rucksack”. Aha!