Mark My Words: Everyone Will Be Wearing These 7 Trends From the Runways of Milan in 2024

Granted, I may be writing this on a grey day in London rather than fresh from gallivanting around the streets of Milan this fashion month, but poring through a roundup of the city's A/W '24 shows has given me enough inspiration to pretend I was there. Let's imagine for a moment that instead of drinking a builder's tea in a chunky knit, we're sat a stone's throw from the Duomo di Milano, soaking up the sun and debriefing over an espresso. It's time to talk runway trends, and I've been meticulously studying the shows (albeit from afar), taking notes on all the recurring themes, colours, prints and fabrics to bring you the best of the best, the cherry on top of the gelato if you will. So let's dive in.

Outside of the shows we saw a lot of what I'm going to affectionately refer to as "Gucci red" (sorry, "Valentino pink"), and if you thought the Milanese loved ballet flats as much as we do, think again (pointed-toe heels are the street style set's ride or die footwear). But what were the highlights on the runways? Well, designers were on the same page when it came to longer hemlines and clever layering (if you're looking for new workwear inspiration, simply Google "Bottega Veneta autumn/winter 2024"), but all showed different interpretations of what I'm calling "dressy minimalism"—translation: pared-back, anti-trend pieces that will live forever in your wardrobe. Or in the case of Dolce Gabbana, Tom Ford and Gucci, the kind of underwear you probably already own but hadn't thought of putting on display. Whatever your style, keep scrolling to see and shop the top seven runway trends from Milan Fashion Week's A/W '24 season. There's a lot you're going to want to save for later.

1. Chic Cardigans

Style Notes: If this isn't proof that a three-piece knit is anything but old-fashioned, I don't know what is. Bravo, Ferragamo; you've elevated brown knitwear to cool new heights.

Nothing says "cardigans are a key piece" quite like Gucci showing a look that makes the knit the star of the show. Who needs trousers when your jumper looks this good?

Long gone are the pop culture motifs and wacky colours; a new era of Moschino has arrived. Don't mind me, I'm just mentally bookmarking this entire look for future reference.

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2. Chocolate Brown

Style Notes: There's something inherently delicious about Alberta Feretti's Jaffa Cake colour palette, especially for autumn. Nothing lifts deep, cocoa browns quite like a bright pop of colour like orange.

If you're going to try a new colour trend, it might as well be head-to-toe brown. It's classy, expensive and always looks polished—Bottega's sweeping maxi dress is a case in point.

This Ermanno Scervino look is a masterclass in how to layer fifty shades of brown.

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3. Underwear as Outerwear

Style Notes: If any brand is going to make lingerie a ready-to-wear trend, it's Dolce Gabbana. The duo that gave us corsets, suspenders and lace is now presenting lighter, sheerer, "soft as a whisper" layers that wouldn't look out of place in bed.

Alberta Feretti just reminded me how versatile camisole tops and dresses really are. It's about time I had one of each in my wardrobe for myriad evening outfits.

If slips and lace aren't your thing, Tom Ford showed how clever cut-outs can create a nude illusion without actually having to bare it all.

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4. Ladylike Lengths

Style Notes: Let's settle the dispute between mini and maxi skirts. The answer is to take the middle ground with the midi. The pencil skirt trend continues (as seen here at Bottega), and we're here for any trend that doesn't require us to bare our legs before the weather reaches at least 25ºC.

I love midi-length skirts and dresses with tall boots, and this double leather pairing from Fendi is on my outfit mood board for the end of the year.

Dressing like the cast of Mad Men was not high on our 2024 bingo list, but now we've seen it the Prada way, we're here for it (especially with these cute flats).

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5. Sheer Delights

Style Notes: Blumarine is known for pushing the limits of ready-to-wear, so as much as this ethereal lace dress is absolutely stunning, it's also not likely to be the first thing you throw on in the morning. It does, however, remind us just how pretty a simple white slip dress can be, and sheer pieces like this can always be worn over a pair of floaty trousers to runway effect.

And here's how to wear sheer pieces according to Fendi. The first thing you buy after a sheer skirt should be a pair of opaque tights.

This level of "undressed dressing" could only be pulled off so elegantly by Sportmax. Everything from the corsetry to the delicate fabric is a walking work of art.

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6. Cape Crusaders

Style Notes: Easy, elegant and understated, it's been a while since the cape had a moment in the sun, but the Milan runways have committed to the wrap around in a big, big way.

Let's return to Ferragamo to see how capes can be styled for the office, dinner and any occasion that requires this level of put-together polish.

If you want to see capes in action, check out the Jil Sander A/W '24 collection. There's quilted capes, pleated capes, velvet capes and of course, this bubblegum pink moment.

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7. Shaggy Coats

Style Notes: It might seem counterintuitive to discuss a cold-weather trend in the run-up to spring, but if this week's weather in the UK is anything to go by, we've got a little bit more time to dream about wearing Marni's arctic-ready faux-fur coat.

Unlike last year's ultra-fluffy longline furs and 2022's shearling teddy, 2024 is all about the shaggy, retro-style jacket that couldn't look any less like real fur if it tried. Think bright colours, exaggerated shapes and plenty of wild texture.

The bigger the better, and this loop-knit-esque coat from Jil Sander is truly unforgettable.

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