{ NYFW SS16 } 8 BRANDS TO WATCH AND WEAR NEXT YEAR...

For the most part, I've taken a step back from posting about and, to be honest, caring about New York Fashion Week this season. My desire to get pulled into the circus of street style, obsessed humblebrag Snapchats from the runway and backstage, a parade of Instagram slow-motion videos all showing the same thing... It's at about zero. However, I still love seeing new collections. I love getting a peek into the trends and silhouettes we might be wearing in six months, and ogling looks from the designers I perpetually follow. 

And so, this post is where I've landed—in the happy medium. I watched Instagram to earmark a few emerging designers and actually-wearable-and-affordable collections that might be of interest to you, too. Additionally, I rounded up five of my favorite currently available pieces from each designer so you can get your fall fix right here and now.

... CLICK THROUGH FOR MY 10 FAVORITE 

SPRING / SUMMER 2016 COLLECTIONS ...

I think I need to preface my little recap below with a PSA. It is this: The following roundup contains a very specific, highly biased collection of collections. You're not going to find my thoughts on Jeremy Scott or some radical political statements driven by the latest Hood By Air show. I like what I like, and I like collections that look at least somewhat wearable. No, every look is not great for every body type, and certainly not for mine. But I'd like to think that if I saw some of these pieces hanging in my closet, I could put them on and go somewhere for real.

Also, you'll see me use the words "loose," "flowing," "feminine" and "cool" over and over because, like I said, I like what I like and this is my blog so that's what you get. I love clothes that are loose, flowing, feminine and cool. But, if you're searching for a wider breadth of fashion reviews, hang out with the big dogs over at Vogue Runway. (For reference, I've linked each designer below to the full slideshow and review from Vogue so you can see more if you like.)

ADAM LIPPES: Adam Lippes is like the coolest girl in school. Fresh, "effortless" and everything she wears looks utterly original. I love how loose and long everything is, and the lack of prints. This collection is full of unexpected fun—hello gold pleated trousers I never knew I'd like—and lines you could only describe as "clean." Off the shoulder doesn't appear to be going anywhere, and I also love this micro-trend of long shirts that could be dresses cut open on the sides, meant to be worn over pants and skirts. Methinks Zara will (unfortunately?) be giving us some similar looks very soon...

BANANA REPUBLIC: Marissa Webb—Banana Republic's Creative Director—has me wondering if BR just might be the new J. Crew. (Does that mean she's the new Jenna Lyons!?) Ever since she came on board, I've found myself coveting everything from lace skirts to crisp blazers, silky tops and leather heels. Her interpretation of this workwear basics brand speaks to me. For spring, BR is serving up reliable working woman pieces with fashion girl twists, like ultra wide-leg pants with colorful-but-wearable stripes and a punchy midi dress with tastefully suggestive lace panels. I think it's safe to say I'll be stalking the 5th Avenue flagship quite a bit come March...

MISHA NONOO: This collection is a killer blend of flirty hemlines and tomboy-ish shirts, coveralls and wide-leg chambray pants. Not to mention the color palette is an easy, almost patriotic mix of blue, white, red and shades of grey. Dresses had fun bell sleeves, and the whole series of looks—released on Istagram rather than a traditional runway show—have a chic 1970s vibe. I'm in.

ROSIE ASSOULIN: For me, Rosie Assoulin is the kind of designer that marries whimsy and wearability together in the most delightful ways. She generally eschews pattern in favor of shape and volume, creating pieces that look like they jumped right out of a pop art painting. This season she stayed true to her beginnings with draped two-piece looks with tons of movement, but also incorporated some playful layering and shimmering details—styled to great effect by her friend Leandra Medine, of Man Repeller fame.

RODEBJER: Add this designer to list of reasons why it seems that Sweden is just so much cooler than everywhere else. I am absolutely drawn to designer Carin Rodebjer's mix of flowing, loose silhouettes and feminine, intricate textures. I've always had a thing for monochrome, and this collection is further proof that "basic" colors and neutrals are sticking around, but given individualistic (read: not normcore) details and shapes to keep the look fresh.

SELF-PORTRAIT: Self Portrait, designed by Han Chong, is only in its second year, but has already become a cult favorite among the blogger set and street style favorites It's easy to see why: He has a flair for creating interesting, incredibly feminine but also crazy-cool frocks that photograph amazingly. (Maisie Williams even wore the below red dress on the red carpet.) Additionally, while the pieces aren't cheap, they aren't wildly, insanely overpriced, either. I've dresses on Blair from Atlantic-Pacific as well as Krystal Bick of This Time Tomorrow, and I predict we'll only be seeing more of this emerging brand in 2016. 

TIBI: Ah, what can I even say that's new about Tibi? You guys know I love this line, and it's really no surprise that I'm completely smitten with the SS16 collection. Amy Smilovic told Vogue she was inspired by Malibu and Miami, which lead to taking things that might be tacky (bermuda shorts, sequins) and transforming them into luxe, loose silhouettes that look classy as hell. And please, have I ever met a crewneck or drop waist I didn't like? I think not. I'll take one of everything, please and thank you.

TORY BURCH: Nobody does preppy-eclectic as well as Tory Burch. While her logo-encrusted flats have reached apex levels of basic, her runway collections are, in my mind, always a playful mix of aspirational chic and Palm Beach retiree. She's not breaking ground at the forefront of fashion—but she's killing it in the niche she's carved out (and basically invented) for herself. I can say with confidence that I'd wear every single thing she sent down the runway in the past few seasons. It's consistent, it's pretty and there's not a logo in site.