Look New York

Hiked up in the front, hanging down in the back, it’s two skirts in one.

Fantasy-lovers like Alexander McQueen and Gareth Pugh concocted looks that—like experimental software—have no practical application. But they’re still fun to play with.

A simple pairing of complementary colors and mostly short lengths gave simple silhouettes new legs. Lanvin’s one-shoulder pink-and-black dress might not be wear-to-work, but Dries Van Noten’s silky violet-and-orange number looks like sunset in dress form.

At night, meanwhile, electric blue supplants the typical all-black. At Ports 1961 and Michael Kors it swept the floor, while DKNY and Calvin Klein kept their styles well above the knee.

Why confine it to winter? Lightweight and unlined, skins are just as comfortable under a spring sky as on a blustery winter night.

The mono-shoulder has become a nighttime-neckline regular, whether on a loose tie-dye chemise at Rodarte or a flowing, half-up, half-down raspberry dress at Balmain.

Marc by Marc Jacobs’ sleeveless babydoll dress is crafted from layers of distressed denim, and Junya Watanabe’s long flounce-skirted suit contains varying shades of blue.

Nautical references abound, especially the beloved sailor stripe. Marc by Marc Jacobs adds a jaunty cap to maximize the look.