7 Street Style Trends We've Seen All Over London Fashion Week
Until last season, it felt as though street style had reached its maximum, nothing could top it. Every look was more outrageous than the next, and copying street style outfits felt nearly as approachable as wearing haute couture runway pieces to the office. But then something happened last London Fashion Week: Everyone wore beige. Alexa Chung stepped out in a beige co-ord and flat sandals, and rest of the fashion set followed suit (pardon the pun). Practicality in its chicest form replaced the wild looks we were becoming accustomed to seeing. This doesn't mean that street style trends became boring; they just feel more authentic.
For autumn 2019, it feels like a one-stop-shop kind of outfit is the major takeaway. Simplicity and calm is the trendsetters' response to the chaos in the world. This London Fashion Week, sustainability took centre place (the BFC show space has curated a Positive Fashion Designer Exhibition featuring sustainable innovators), and designers and street style stars alike are responding to this well.
The showgoers, celebrities, influencers and trendsetters are shifting away from hyped-up new pieces and are moving toward more long-lasting favourites. As was the case in New York, Bottega Veneta pieces are everywhere, but even these cult pieces are forever buys. Other key items of season's past have been reappearing (hi, Shrimps bag!), while the newer trends we're seeing are more along the lines of styling tricks to keep your existing wardrobe feeling fly.
Keep scrolling to discover the seven London Fashion Week street style trends we love most—all of which are refreshingly applicable to everyday outfits.
BROWN LEATHER
Whether it's vegan, vintage or genuine, we keep seeing brown leather all over London this week. Net-a-Porter's Elizabeth von der Goltz's head-to-toe Nanushka and Stella McCartney mix is so chic.
Who What Wear U.S. Managing Editor Kristen Marie Nichols gives us a minimalist take on brown leather, pairing her kitten heels with matching flared trousers and a simple white button-down.
Emili Sindlev proves that this trend works for maximalists too. She pairs her vintage-style jacket with a Chanel bag, a printed dress and knee-high boots for a fresh take on the trend.
For an autumnal take, Deborah Reyner Sebag mixes her vintage-style leather skirt with a grey cable-knit T-shirt and Bottega Veneta heels. Cosy and classic? Love.
PATCHWORK
We're seeing lots of patchwork pieces both on the streets and the runways. As designers continue to experiment with upcycling and preventing waste, we expect to see a lot more of it. Jessie Bush's Andersson Bell knit jumper is a major autumn mood.
This Topshop dress is an instant cult favourite already. We love how this showgoer layers a puff-sleeved tee under it as an early autumn styling trick.
Patchwork denim is an old-school classic. Matching this cropped jacket with oversized jeans is the trend-driven styling, but this would also work with white denim and a T-shirt.
You can definitely find many patchwork pieces (and Naomi Shimada's cowboy boots) in the vintage shops off of Brick Lane or Portobello Market if it's a trend you want to jump on first.
ROOTED AND BOOTED
Like flat shoes, glove-like slip-on biker boots have been spotted everywhere lately. Jessie Bush has been wearing her Pradas with dresses and miniskirts all week, proving their durability and high comfort level.
British Vogue's Donna Wallace wears a knee-high Alexander McQueen pair for a more trend-driven look.
The team from Browns Fashion shows us how versatile these boots can be by wearing them with leather trousers and a floaty black dress.
BIG WHITE DRESSES
Whether it's Simone Rocha or Zara, these timeless white puffy dresses are wildly popular. They're super flattering and comfortable, so it's no wonder, really.
Wearing a puffy white dress with chunky flat boots balances out the volume up top. We love this Rejina Pyo number with a more fitted waist.
In true Scandi-inspired style, why not pair a puffy white dress with trainers? Seeing how versatile these frocks can be, we're not expecting this trend to end any time soon.
BAGS GONE ROUGE
Burnt red hues have been the mega-trend for accessories this season. As the warmer version of navy, it's a timeless way to add a jolt of colour to your looks.
Mansur Gavriel's vegetable-tanned pleated leather bucket bag is an Instagram star in its own right. It's like carrying a little piece of art on your arm.
This shade—autumn's answer to terra-cotta—pairs well with other earthy tones like olive and taupe, both of which have also been spotted across London Fashion Week.
This colour fits in well with every kind of personal style, from minimalism to retro chic. We love how this showgoer pairs her burnt red bucket bag with brown platforms and a prairie dress.
UTILITY IS KEY
Like flat boots, utility is the other practical and chic trend that's been spotted all over this week. We love the simplicity of Chrissy Rutherford's white Frankie Shop jumpsuit.
Having missed out on useful pockets for decades, womenswear designers are making up for lost time with oversized pockets on jumpsuits, jackets and cargo trousers.
The always-chic Lisa Aiken balances out longline workwear shorts with a sheer top and strappy leopard-print heels.
GATHERED SLEEVES
Statement sleeves have been trending for years now, and each season, there's a new version to fall for. Like the sleeves on the puff dresses, the gathered-sleeved trend is a bit longer on the arm, offering an autumn option.
Florrie Thomas frames her blue silk dress with light accessories like her Stella McCartney bag, cream thong shoes and white pearls.
Monica de La Villardière, ever the minimalist with a twist, pairs her gathered-sleeved top by Ports 1961 with Vince shorts and a zebra-print Anya Hindmarch bag.
Marie Claire's Pénélope Goldstone's dreamy Staud dress does all the work for this outfit. We love how she uses simple accessories—like her Zara headband—to complete the look.
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