Milan Fashion Week: The 7 top trends you need to know about for Fall 2013

Crazy combos Think pecans on guacamole is off the wall? Try sable bonded with neoprene for a dance dress at Ports 1961, sandals with fuzzy wool suits at Marni and at Brunello Cuccinelli, a collar of rooster feathers that melded into a goat fluff yoke with a body of diamond-pattern mink. And not a detectable seam or knot anywhere.

Fur fantasia
Pucci did pink mink. Deep grooves were razored into fur bombers at Blumarine. Sportmax corralled beaver into square clumps on a coat. And at Missoni, mink tufts wound around a cream wrap coat.

Morphing Prints and fabrics We saw lacquered raffia and wool combed through satin to give it a fuzzy finish at Bottega Veneta. Etro cited digital techniques that allow for a “fusion and combustion” of pattern where one melts, fades or distorts into another.

Punk (or “Vunk” as Donatella Versace put it) Versace’s show had lots of Latex and spiky jewelry. Fausto Puglisi did tartan gowns with hip-high slits. Roberto Cavalli had dresses that mixed studded strips and chain effects.

Skirt suits We’ve seen slim, trim pantsuits and pleated trousers with boxy jackets. But skirt suits dominate, whether A-line, circle or pleated.

Metal mania Pucci had studded mohair sweaters. Footwear gleams with metal toes and heels. And Jil Sander’s spare gold-leaf strips elevated simple black coats and jackets.

High glam Models looked like walking, bejeweled icons at Dolce & Gabbana. Pucci put sparkling tunics over thigh-high suede boots.