Yes! Give me opulence!

Minimalism has degenerated into plain...

Ooh Angie...I spent many hours over a few days going through very nearly all the runway looks myself about two weeks ago. I saved stacks of images to an inspiration folder so that I can maybe plan some makes and tweak my style. I noticed all the maximalism and found that I was quite taken with it. Loved all the different textures like brocade and velvet, and mixes of layers. I suspect I'm a bit like you, though in that I'm perhaps a minimal maximalist

Can't wait for your trend report Angie! I'm sure I'll read it and say to myself, "No way, I'm never wearing that", then two years later... I'll be wearing what you wrote about and wondering why I hadn't jumped on the trend earlier.

I will love to see what fall fashion will bring.
As Rachy mentioned I also feel like minimalism has degenerated to plain. I craving more richeness in my outfits.

I don't see my self embracing maximalism, it just does not feel like me. I rarely wear pattern or jewelry, and like simple classic silhouette.
But you never know...

...But I very much need your distillation, Angie. I tried looking the other day and it was all a hodge podge to me. Because there is maximalism and then there's just putting on a lot of clothes!

Jus' sayin'...

I love all of the warm browns. Looking forward to your report Angie. Can't believe Gucci!!! Not classic at all. To me it looks like they desperately want to be "relevant" with the young things. Their outfits look like MSGM on acid.

I have been waiting a long time for shoulder pads to come back. Love them. And Carla your hair is right on trend. I also love all the warm gold and brown. I have also always loved velvet even though I tend to be more of a minimalistic dresser. I can do more jewellery for sure. Out come the cocktail rings.

Like everything this has possibilities. Shoulder pads weren't my best look in the eighties. I was a bit overwhelmed by them. I prefer solids, and solids with texture, but I saw lots of looks like that. I am not sure how I would adapt this, but I am fond of trying new things. I embrace getting creative. I might have to grow my hair out. In the eighties I had a hairstyle that looked a bit like Runcarlas. It allowed me to wear bulkier looking clothes. With a classic pixie, I feel limited to a sleeker look.

I lean towards minimalism. I always want to dress stylish, but I never really wanted to stand out in any way. Minimalism reflects my inner shyness. Still I was greatly intrigued by some of the outfits.

Love your pinterest board Angie, what an incredible feast for the eyes! I'm loving especially all the diagonal lines, curves, and animal/floral motifs! The rich fabrics like velvet, faux fur look wonderful too. And oh the colors and combinations - it seems like the question "does this color go with that color?" will be off the table for this season. For anyone other than a diehard minimalist there is a LOT to choose from. I just bought some suede booties with leather cording and a small tassle.....baby steps

I wonder what Eileen Fisher will do?

I will enjoy it on others, as the saying goes on YLF

I too can't wait for your trend report, Angie! I also suspect I am a bit like you when it comes to minimalism/ maximalism. I like all the beautiful textures shown: velvet, lace, brocade, faux fur. I like interesting layers and some pattern mixes. But I dislike when it all looks thrown together and random. I am deeply attracted to Victorian, military and what gets called " Dark Romance" in the magazines; then normal "pretty" - pastels, flounces, ruffles etc.; retro, especially 70s which are still going strong for me and finally, just a dash of tomboy/menswear thrown in, especially in patterns. Quite eclectic tastes

I'm back again to mention a bit of a quandary I often experience....If I see a lovely outfit from the runways that maybe shows opulent fabric, bold colours etc., but without a topper over it...my first thought is what on earth could you wear as a topper over such a look? My gut reaction would be a long coat, maybe a trench, in a neutral which covers a fair bit of the outfit to avoid any unfortunate colour clashes or proportion problems. I find it so difficult, yet we do need toppers in Autumn/Winter. Perhaps yet another subject for a YLF blog post?

Like many others, I suspect I am somewhere in between. I can definitely say yes to more prints and textures, though! And I think it opens the door for more levity in dressing, which is definitely my thing. As for the rest, I will have to try and see. Definitely maximialism is a pleasure to look at, so I hope it takes the world by storm!

Maximal is certainly fun to look at! It will be interesting to read your trend report Angie and see how this filters down to retail. Secretly crossing my fingers big shoulders pads make their way back.

Yay for sumptuous fabrics and opulence.
I will probably tone it down with jeans to fit my casual lifestyle in a casual state.
I just hope big shoulder pads are not coming back.

This is inspiring! It makes me happy to have my purple coat and my new plaid long vest in my closet, both of which I was having second thoughts about. But now, I am confident!!

HAH. We are divided on the comeback of shoulder pads - but generally excited about the resurgence of Maximalism. It's all good. (And I so want to wear shoulder pads again. High five, Colette, Style Fan, and Karie).

Suz, you can do Minimal Maximalism with the best of them, and I think you'll enjoy it.

Tanya, you are not my first Little Style Sis for nothing. I could have written what you wrote. Wave to, Aida.

Diane, those types of outfits need capes or cocoon coats (not very practical! But we watch runway fashion anyway). And don't get me started on the seasonally confused sandals ALL OVER Winter runway looks.

Jaime, Rachy and Denise, the runways REALLY look like Fashion Week Street Style. Very thrown together - and the more hectic the combination, the more praised it is from a fashion POV. I did not like the Gucci show, but I DID enjoy its fearless direction and thinking about why they're showing what they did. Not sure what the message is.

Chris, Carla and Viv, there you go. Tasseled booties, Armani hair, and plaid vest, FTW.

Favourite shows so far: Akris, Alice & Olivia, J.Crew, Bally, Emporio Armani, Tahari, Georgio Armani, Eudon Choi. But have many still to go.

Man, I have such mixed feelings about this. Earlier this year, after my mom passed away, I spent a lot of time in stripped-down, minimalist outfits. I love luxe, though. Velvet, silk, embroidery, armloads of bracelets, layered necklaces...these are things I can get behind.

Cracking up at runcarla! I think faux fur is taking over the world. I see it in these pics and I just saw it on the bottom half of a JCrew sweater!

Count me in favor of shoulder pads! I love a sharp shoulder and unfortunately don't have the body type for it. Bring on the shoulder pads!

Ah, the natural pendulum swing away from normcore, etc. I'm cool with it. I think I naturally fall somewhere in the middle of the minimal/maximal spectrum -- I like simple shapes but love patterns and details.

I might enjoy the return of not-too-extreme shoulder pads. Some of my favorite jackets (the BCBG long jacket for one) have moderate shoulder pads, which I really like for making me look more symmetrical and balancing out my big hips!

I don't need shoulder pads, I come pre-equipped with my own. But maximal as in...lots of jewelry? Yay!!!

Peri -- lol, "I come pre-equipped with my own" -- me too!

I love it! I've been more of a minimalist this summer because it's been so hot. I'm ready for maximal in the Fall!

Woohoo! Never went too far myself, bring more on I say

My maximal will be minimized. My minimal perhaps maximized...Hmm...

As long as everyone is having fun, it is all good.

I need a good definition of maximalism... I've just reconfirmed with myself that I'm not one for complex outfits - layering, completer pieces, and "piling on" is not my thing and I am not skilled at it. Today I'm really at ease in the Vince lemming dress and patent booties. Easy and minimal.

However, I do not have a small wardrobe and do love a good loud pattern or pattern mix and am always on the hunt for dresses or tops with that vibe. I want my maximal details built into my minimal items. What's that called - "confused"?

Built in shoulder pads here too!