Bubbles, Scales, And Fur All Over: 2024 Runways Are All About Textures

This year, runways are glittering with multi-dimensional tones and a tactile appeal of juxtaposing textures. From pearls and sequins to bubbles and scales, the looks from top designers are multifaceted and layered, offering plenty of whimsical contrast. Classic pieces, like capes and furs, are given a rebirth through their play on texture and their unassuming shapes. The varying textiles also lend their versatility to monochromatic looks, dividing single hues through a range of knits, furs, and sheer fabrics. These runway influences can easily be applied to any wardrobe by layering contrasting textures and going for pieces with impactful textile designs, beyond the basics you might reach for daily. 

You may already be loving some of the NYFW 2024 trends like corporatecore, faded denim, and chic staples — or the beauty trends that are literally everywhere at NYFW, like natural and glowing bare faces — but adding versatile textures to the landscape makes for a dynamic and expressive fashion dream, ripe with possibility in 2024.

Giving the sheer trend an ethereal upgrade in 2024, a model walks the runway during the Giambattista Valli Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 1, 2024 in Paris, France wearing a dainty, embroidered cape. The sheer fabric moves in contrast with a glittering, black minidress, also adorned with a floral pattern.

Illuminating the fur trend with a shag vest, a model demonstrates the multidimensionality of intentional layering in contrasting textures during Paris Fashion Week's Giambattista Valli Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show. The single-hued ensemble is able to spark intrigue through its use of differing textiles and the energy of the runway holds steady in its contrast of lush textures.

Textiles meet the corporatecore trend in this play on opposing textures where a model's brown leather and sherpa sleeve extend from a steel gray suit in the Iceberg fashion show during the Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 on February 21, 2024 in Milan, Italy. Two worlds meet and create an alluring statement, steering style towards the unpredictable through texture.

Textured scales and bubbles intersect with the balletcore trend in an ensemble worn by a model during the Giambattista Valli Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 fashion show in Paris. A 3D effect is demonstrated on a spread of pearls, scales, and bubbles before a soft, muted pink bed of fabric. These elements offer us a glimpse into the youthful energy of the trend.

Offering a playful display of woven design, a model wears a tied rope crop top and smooth joggers on the runway for Tiffany Brown Designs Winter 2025 Collection at 42 West on February 10, 2024 in New York City. In another prime example of opposing textures tying together a monochromatic look and elevating style through texture, it's almost as though the differing textiles are the accessories themselves. 

A classic, sleek shape is given multidimensionality thanks to its texture, coloring, and design as a model wears the stunning piece on the runway during the Léonard Paris Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show at Palais de Tokyo as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 01, 2024 in Paris, France. A waist-cinching belt provides yet another dynamic element against woven fibers. Structure meets natural materials in an alluring collision, showing us how textures can move with shapes to frame and flatter.