Italian designers time-traveled for their latest collections, throwing back to old-school looks and finding futuristic takes on classic trends. On hand for the action, I got an up-close look at their playful pieces (’80s puffy sleeves, anyone?) and eye-popping shows. From Gucci’s eerie operating-room set to the stylish snow angels and puffed-up Stormtroopers at Moncler’s extravaganza, it made for a social-media frenzy.

Neon brights
Fall doesn’t have to mean dark and dreary. Moschino and Sportmax plugged into the neon scene, while Prada got lit with bright tone-on-tone looks and mix-and-match texture.

Sequin sensation
Don’t dull your sparkle. Sequins were stronger than ever this season, bestowed with a heavy hand in a rich, autumnal palette on everything from slippers and gowns to overcoats.

Security blanket
Duvets, blankets and giant scarves enveloped models in Milan. Jil Sander and Max Mara wrapped them around waists, while MSGM’s strutters dragged them along (just in case the catwalk got chilly). These cuddly duds are officially the coziest trend for fall.

Plaid power
Designers revived this prim print for a variety of skirt silhouettes. Trussardi drew attention with a high-slit pencil wrap, Versace delivered voluminous tulip-shaped tartans and Fendi headed back to school with a shiny plaid mini (and matching boots, of course).

’80s vibes
“Pretty in Pink” and punk-rocker chic were obvious inspirations for the totally ’80s looks that danced down Milan runways. Poufy sleeves from Philosophy and polka-dotted everything at Vivetta made it feel like a bodacious fashion prom.

Stroke of genius
Moncler’s “Genius” project tapped no fewer than eight designers to concoct separate collections and fantastical tableaus for Milan, including Victorian mountain climbers and an upside-down snow-angel pileup. Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli’s haunting effort was a fan favorite, featuring hooded duvet dresses that evoked “The Handmaid’s Tale.”

Head case
Alessandro Michele’s Gucci collections are always a feast for the eyes — this time quite literally, with a cyborglike eyeball glued to a model’s forehead as she walked through a faux operating room. Another strutter accessorized her grandma-chic streetwear with a replica of her own head. #MemeGoals.

Kick back
Cowboy boots are rustling up style-setters around the globe. But Dolce & Gabbana took the rodeo to the disco, encrusting its fall kickers with sequins, jewels, crystals and gilding. Yee-haw!