Runway To Real Way: DKNY Takes Us Back-to-School This Fall

August is here which means, like it or not, back-to-school season is around the corner! Luckily, long gone are the days of dreading a new classroom or nervously hoping you’ll like your new teacher. Nowadays, back-to-school time signals the coming of fall and, even better, fall fashion! DKNY paid a special homage to the days of no more teachers, no more books with a back-to-school themed Spring 2016 show that even us grown ups could study up on.

Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne from the revered label Public School now design for DKNY and infuse a youthful playfulness into the old Donna Karan traditionally sophisticated designs. Their take on back-to-school towed the line between adolescent and mature, paying homage to some of the resurging 90’s trends that many of us remember from our actual school days.

Other trends, like asymmetrical hemlines, were more current in today’s ever-evolving style scene. We loved the theme of contrasts in the collection — black and white, sheer and covered, high and low — especially in the asymmetry. For a less dramatic statement that could be worn everyday, we found this Andres Rosberg number that can easily be paired with tights once the fall weather sets in.

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DKNY’s inclusion of jumpsuits was a nostalgic reference to our studious days, channeling the grunge era of the early 90’s by pairing a deep v-neck with a plain white t-shirt. And while we appreciate the throwback, we still prefer the more modern (and decidedly more grown up) version of a v-neck jumpsuit like this beautiful piece from Black Halo.

Sheer and transparent pieces are not exactly aligned with a traditional school dress code. That didn’t stop DKNY from serving up gauzy confections with geometric panels that we appreciated but could never get away with in our day-to-day wardrobe. Instead, we chose a more conservatively cut and opaque version in Christian Wijnants‘ Dopa dress. Still chic without running the risk of being sent to detention for indecent exposure.

What would any homage to collegiate fashion be without a perfectly cut blazer? DKNY’s versions were over-sized and menswear-inspired, for which we definitely have an appreciation. But we wanted a slim fit, one-button version for our Fall 2016 wardrobe. Rag & Bone never disappoints when it comes to the tailored look and we can’t wait to get our hands on the Windsor Blazer for next season.

Take notes on all of these A+ pieces and you’ll be sure to make the Honor Roll of style this fall!

RUNWAY

DKNY Spring 2016

REAL WAY

Asymmetry: Asymmetric Skirt by Andres Rosberg, $240

V-neck: Black Halo Maja Jumpsuit, $345

Sheer: Christian Wijnants ‘Dopa’ Sheer Dress, now $218.40

Blazer: Rag & Bone Windsor Blazer, $495

– Alia Rajput

Runway photos: NYMag

Image Layout: Fountain Of 30

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