Three Fashion Week Microtrends Worth Knowing

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We're halfway through New York Fashion Week's spring 2016 shows and strong trends are already emerging. Our team has been on the ground, hustling from show to show (and blowing up a group text with photos, videos, and excited chatter straight from our seats). We've pulled together three trends spotted on at least three runways this week, because as the fashion adage goes, three's a trend. Get ready to embrace low-slung pants for day and night as well as large-scale ruffles for dress-up affairs. As for your top half: off-the-shoulder just got a cool girl update.

Low-Slung Pants

Derek Lam, Tibi, Givenchy

The late, great, and oft-referenced singer Aaliyah perfected the styling of the low-slung pant in the '90s, and we're excited to see this look return in a modern way for 2016. The silhouette's relaxed, B-boy influence can be played up in a sporty way by pairing with a bodysuit, or you can go ladylike with a flowy peasant top.

Large-Scale Ruffles

Derek Lam, Rosie Assoulin, Zimmermann

Ruffles might conjure up memories of overly girly holiday dresses, but we promise that they've been given an adult-appropriate (and super-stylish) makeover for spring. From structured to voluminous frills, this trend is the embodiment of "hooray, warm days again!" and is perfect for celebratory brunches, afternoon rosé, and — yes — family gatherings.

Exposed Shoulders

Derek Lam, Wes Gordon, Rachel Zoe

Last spring's stunner piece was the off-the-shoulder top; the seasonal evolution is an edgier cut-out shoulder. It offers sex appeal with loads of cool factor, giving basic tops a blast of panache.

Photos: Rosie Assoulin c/o the designer; Tibi, Jason Wu, Zimmermann, and Wes Gordon by Victor Virgile/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images; Derek Lam by Randy Brooke/WireImage; Rachel Zoe: Andrew Toth/WireImage