Perhaps it was the unpredictable temperatures that caused many attendees to opt for cozy separates and sensible—although highly fashionable—footwear. We saw a casual side of fur, with fur vests being paired with nearly everything, including one of the dominant trends of the current spring season, the floral pant. Another furry detail that made the mark was the highly photographed kitty sweater, sure to spark a major trend next summer. Instead of lugging around hefty umbrellas, some editors opted for the convenience of a baseball cap, making this all-American topper a breakthrough accessory of the week.

Street style trend #1: Floral pants

As seen on: Jenna Lyons, Taylor Tomasi Hill, Elin Kling, and Sarah Rutson.

Despite the cold temperatures, fashion show-goers added a spring touch with floral trousers, a ubiquitous fixture on all the leading street style blogs. Trendsetter and J.Crew’s creative director Jenna Lyons wore black and white silk trousers to her Fall 2012 presentation, paired with a beige sweater and green pointy-toe pumps. On the brighter end, Moda Operandi’s Taylor Tomasi Hill – a street style favourite – sported colorful red and purple pants, paired with a winter fur trimmed green blazer and black and white strappy pumps.

Street style trend #2: Cat sweaters

As seen on: Susie Lau (Style Bubble), Hanneli Mustaparta, and Susan Cernek.

2011 may have been the year of the canine, thanks to Balenciaga’s highly covetable dog intarsia sweater. But this year, cats take the throne as the most fashionable animal, thanks to a couple of stylish bloggers. Susie Lau and Hanneli Mustaparta both sported yet-to-be-released kitty sweaters by Opening Ceremony, causing worldwide style blog fashion buzz. This adorable little crop sweater will undoubtedly spawn many copycats—watch out for feline domination.

Street style trend #3: Fur vests

As seen on: Joanna Hillman, Giovanna Bataglia, Mary Kate Steinmiller, and Leandra Medine (The Man Repeller).

Fur was everywhere, but rather than glamorous coats, fur took on a more sporty approach this time around: sleeveless’ vests. T
he New York Times’ Bill Cunningham, a street style pioneer, dedicated a sizeable chunk of his “On the Street” feature to this furry trend. We saw Harper’s Bazaar Joanna Hillman sporting a hooded fur vest from The Row, paired with a very chic navy jumpsuit. For extra warmth, Giovanna Bataglia sported her fur vest underneath her parka in a rare sporty ensemble from this Italian editor.

More trends seen at New York Fashion Week on the next page…

Street style trend #4: Baseball caps
As seen on: Mary Kate Steinmiller, and Shiona Turini.

Maybe it was the occasional snowflake or two that struck New York during fashion week, but baseball caps made it out of the sports arena and into Lincoln Center. Teen Vogue’s Mary Kate Steinmiller brought a little bit of summer to her all black ensemble of leather and wool, with a red and blue gingham baseball topper. The Fader’s style editor Chioma Nnadi got patriotic with her black New York Yankees cap, paired with a camel wool and fur coat.

Street style trend #5: High-top sneakers
As seen on: Taylor Tomasi Hill, Jenny Kang, Michelle Reneau, and Shiona Turini.

New York Fashion Week doesn’t necessarily mean a week of impossible stilettos and unbearable foot pain. One can look just as snazzy in a pair of comfy, but stylish sneakers. Taylor Tomasi Hill opted for comfort with black high-tops, which she paired with a long black skirt, a white turtleneck and a black leather jacket. Nylon Magazine’s Michelle Reneau went even more casual with red, white and blue high-tops, styled with skinny pastel blue jeans, a fur vest, and a baseball cap, embodying many New York Fashion Week street style trends all at once.

Read more:
Top 5 street style stars to watch in 2012
Street style: New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012-13
Street style: London Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012-13
2011 Street style: The year in accessories