I Just Got Back From London—5 Things All the Coolest People Are Wearing There

Fashion influencer Valeria in London wearing a chic fall outfit with faded baggy jeans, a white tee, long herringbone wool coat, and The Row's Margaux 17 black tote bag.

(Image credit: @sobalera)

London just does fall fashion so well, and with some very UK-coded items trending this season (barn jackets, we see you), it only makes sense that the city felt especially cool when I visited last week. I was, as always, on the lookout for stylish pieces that seem synonymous with the local fashion set, and I have to say that I was truly thrilled with the chic yet low-key vibe that's currently trending across the pond.

Whether they were scooping up their flat whites from Jolene's in Shoreditch or Ralph Lauren on Bond Street, denim was very much the order of the day—so much so that, as someone who didn't bring a pair of blue jeans with me for this trip(?!), I could not wait to wear them when I got home. From classic outwear to highly wearable footwear to trending accessories, here are the key pieces Londoners are currently wearing on repeat with jeans this season.

Skinny Belts

Fashion influencer Marilyn Nwawulor-Kazemaks in London taking a mirror selfie wearing a chic fall outfit with a relaxef trench, white tee, black tote, suede sneakers, baggy jeans and a skinny belt.

(Image credit: @nlmarilyn)

The biggest trend takeaway from my trip? Ultra-skinny belts worn imperfectly with wide-leg denim. Please, pay no mind to the fact that it will be swimming in the too-big belt loops of those baggy jeans. That off-kilter alignment with the waistband only adds to the effortless vibe.

Barn Coats

Fashion influencer Lucy Williams in London wearing a chic fall outfit with a Barbour barn coat styled with jeans, black loafers, white socks, and a crewneck knit sweater.

(Image credit: @lucywilliams02)

I'm sure it seems obvious that we are never going to get through this story without a nod to barn coats, but something in me wondered whether London would be embracing their Barbour quite as much this season, or slightly shying away given all of us peasants are now embracing the trend. Turns out, the English aren't thinking about us at all. Contrast corduroy collars were everywhere, per usual.

Colorful, Retro Sneakers

Fashion influencer Lindsey Holland in London wearing a chic fall outfit with jeans, yellow and black Adidas Originals x Wales Bonner SL76 sneakers, and a black Loewe puzzle bag.

(Image credit: @lindseyholland_)

The era of trying to find my sneakers among the slew of classic white Sambas with their navy stripes piled at the entry of my Pilates studio seems like a lifetime ago. While the low-top, vintage-inspired silhouette remains a mainstay of the fashion crowd, there was a rainbow of sneakers peeping out below London's denim. Wales Bonner collabs are always top of mind, plus any styles that mix in some on-trend suede.

Herringbone Coats

Fashion influencer Valeria in London wearing a chic fall outfit with faded jeans, a long herringbone wool coat, and The Row's Margaux 17 bag.

(Image credit: @sobalera)

Heritage fabrics never seem to be far from view in London, from tweed blazers to plaid-lined trench coats. Right now, it's menswear-inspired herringbone coats that are the moment. Wear them long, a little oversize, and with shoulder pads (optional but encouraged). When it comes to the styling, a quick denim note: I'm very into the above pairing of a tailored, winter-ready coat that's contrasted with super-relaxed, faded, summery jeans. I think this is a 10/10. Feels very cool.

Woven Leather Bags

Fashion influencer Lucy Alston in London wearing a chic fall outfit with barrel leg black jeans, mesh flat shoes, a green jacket, and Rylan woven leather bag.

(Image credit: @lucyalston_)

Speaking of pairing (supposedly) off-season things with fall fashion, woven leather handbags missed the memo that they're typically thought of as summer accessories. From chic shoulder bags to practical weekday totes, it was giving everyone the air of having come straight from the airport having arrived from somewhere warmer.

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Natalie Cantell
Contributing Fashion Editor

Natalie Cantell is an NYC-based style director, creative consultant, and contributing fashion editor. She was the executive director of Who What Wear and Marie Claire’s brand studio until 2023, and now freelances globally on shoots, stories, and special projects across fashion, luxury, beauty, home, and travel.