Our hot summer fling with neoprene has turned into a full-fledged love affair for fall. It all began with an innocent trial period sandwiched between warm weather leather and flatforms. Unbeknownst to us, we grew more attached to our new crush by the minute until bam — we were inseparable. Sure, it sometimes makes our co-workers think “Again?!” but the heart wants what it wants.
Now, this isn’t the first time we’ve gone bug-eyed for neoprene. The foamed synthetic rubber has been around the block. In the 50s, surf twins Bob and Bill Meistrell from California started fiddling around with the fabric and in 1953, opened the oldest waverider shop in the world called Dive N’ Surf (later renamed Body Glove), which stocked the first commercially viable wetsuit crafted from neoprene. In 1981, the brothers changed the game by pioneering the neoprene swimsuit, which led them to become the first surf brand to grace the covers of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, not to mention a sultry spread in Sports Illustrated with Kathy Ireland and Elle Macpherson in 1990.
By that time, land-locked designers were taking note. Donna Karan hopped on the bandwagon for her spring collection in 1994. She sent out a fleet of messy-haired models clad in swingy neoprene dresses and skin-tight minis. Later, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Jean Paul Gaultier and more would experiment with the new-wave fabric.
For Fall 2014, everyone and their mother came out with a neoprene this or a neoprene that. Just take one look at the gallery below and you’ll get the idea.
neoprene
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3.1 Phillip Lim
Poodle-Embellished Neoprene Sweatshirt, $750 at Matches Fashion
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MSGM
Neoprene Hoodie, $450 at SSENSE
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Topshop
Neoprene Zip Sweat, $90 at Topshop
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Jil Sander
Stretch-Neoprene Dress, $1,030 at Net-a-Porter
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No. 21
Branded Neoprene Sweatshirt, $453.63 at Selfridges
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Simone Rocha
Neoprene Oversized Coat, $3,100 at SSENSE
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Reiss
Flared Neoprene Midi Skirt, $170 at Reiss
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Jacquemus
Cropped Soleil Jacket, $1,050 at SSENSE
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JOA
Pleated Neoprene Skirt, $68 at Shopbop
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Thakoon
Printed Neoprene Midi Dress, $2,380 at Net-a-Porter
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J Brand
Kimberly Neoprene Miniskirt, $295 at Net-a-Porter
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Givenchy
Melton Wool-Blend Coat with Neoprene Detail, $4,290 at Net-a-Porter
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O'2nd
Knit & Neoprene Cardigan Coat, $525 at Barneys
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Rag & Bone
Sloane Sweatshirt, $295 at Barneys
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Jacquemus
Neoprene Drop-Shoulder Dress, $805 at SSENSE
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Sandro
Neoprene Trousers, $315.27 at Selfridges
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Marni
Neoprene Skirt, $690 at mytheresa.com
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1 by O'2nd
Manny Neoprene Mini Dress, $325 at Bloomingdale's
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RED Valentino
Neoprene Bomber Jacket, $895 at Nordstrom
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Rick Owens
Leather & Neoprene Peplum Jacket, $2,485 at Barneys
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ERIN Erin Fetherston
Maisie Neoprene Dress, $325 at Nordstrom
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Cushnie et Ochs
Neoprene Dress, $1,495 at Forward by Elise Walker
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Blank NYC
Neoprene Spray On Pants, $88 at METROPARK
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Omelya
Neoprene Midi Coat, $1,193 at Luisa Via Roma
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Boohoo
Tarah Neoprene Bomber Jacket, $26 at Boohoo
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T by Alexander Wang
Hooded Neoprene & Fleece Reversible Jacket, $750 at Saks
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MSGM
Zebra Neoprene Skirt, $408 at Shopbop
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JOA
Neoprene Crop Top, $58 at Shopbop
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Francesco Scognamiglio
Embellished Neoprene Sweatshirt, $1,007 at Luisa Via Roma
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J Brand
Neoprene Top, $117 at Saks
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Clover Canyon
Marble Party Printed Neoprene Skirt, $220 at Moda Operandi
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Esgivien
Jersey & Neoprene Top, $215 at Luisa Via Roma
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Demobaza
Neoprene Trousers, $327 at Luisa Via Roma
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3.1 Phillip Lim
Beaded-Neck Neoprene Top, $495 at Saks
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Josh Goot
Color-Block Neoprene Dress, $765 at Moda Operandi
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Cote
Printed Neoprene and Cotton Sweatshirt, $426 at Luisa Via Roma
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Charlotte Russe
Pleated Neoprene Skater Skirt, $19.99 at Charlotte Russe
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Ainea
Embellished Dress, $598 at Luisa Via Roma
