Oh, London Fashion Week—you never fail to disappoint. As editors, influencers, models, stylists, and buyers made their way from show to show in what feels like the most “normal” Fashion Week since 2019, the streets of London became a sartorial showcase and made me realise just how much we’ve missed the spectacle.
Of course, the Who What Wear team will be charting the trends that we’ve seen on the runway in good time, but right now, I’m focusing my efforts on reporting what the street style set have been wearing. Call me biased (I am a proud Brit, after all), but while New York Fashion Week certainly gave us plenty of trends to think about, I believe the street style looks from London are a league all their own. Who What Wear’s Editor in Chief, Hannah Almassi, told me from the ground; “It’s been quite wild, out there, in a great way”. And, having pored over hundreds of images from the past five days, I see what she means.
What I love most about British and London fashion is that it really is a melting pot of movements and aesthetics; you can spot someone wearing a Chanel two-piece tweed suit, pointed-toe slingbacks, and top handle bag standing next to someone in a neon puffer coat, combat trousers and stacked tread-sole boots, and you wouldn’t bat an eye. It truly is the freedom and frivolity of London’s street style that brings Fashion Month to life.
So, which street style trends caught my attention? While there were many, I have narrowed down ten that I consider a must-see. From the update on fashion’s favourite handbag to the simple way to inject your wares with more colour, scroll on to see the London street style trends that impressed me most.
The checkerboard trend is showing no signs of slowing down if London’s style elite are anything to go by.
A checkerboard coat is one of the best ways to tap into the trend—layer it over a neutral outfit if it feels OTT, or use it to amp up your existing statement pieces.
The grunge aesthetic might still be going strong but its antithesis, ladylike skirt suits, was just as prevalent on the streets of London during Fashion Week.
Pretty pastel colours make the trend feel twee, but in the best possible way.
If you want to add more colour to your daily wares, take a leaf out of London’s street style book by investing in a bright blazer.
The perfect accompaniment to jeans, you’ll get more wear out of a saturated blazer than you may initially think.
‘90s shoulder bags have been popular in style circles for the past few years, but now, in 2022, beaded styles are the most in-demand.
From Staud’s best-selling Tommy shoulder bag to more frugal options from Zara, you don’t have to look hard to find a beaded shoulder bag for you.
I’ve already charted the rise of the goth aesthetic, but it looks like I’m not the only one keen to pay gentle homage to the look.
From sheer black fabrications to chain details, and borderline vampy make-up, fashion people are becoming increasingly inspired by gothic dressers.
It’s a trick fashion people use to look instantly chic, so it’s little wonder Fashion Week was awash with monochromatic outfits.
In my opinion, wearing one colour top-to-toe never fails to look expensive.
Brit dressers are some of the most practical out there, and with storms Eunice and Franklin to deal with, many showgoers chose to forgo strappy sandals in favour of chunky boots.
Tread-sole boots are a trend that continues to stick around, making a premium purchase such as a pair of Bottega Veneta’s feel all the more justifiable.
Just how I like my coffee order, extra frothy outfits—think those with tulle and chiffon fabrications—were the order of the day at London Fashion Week.
Get even more wear out of any frothy pieces by wearing them with wardrobe basics, such as straight leg jeans and roll-necks.
We can all thank TikTok for the revival of countless Y2K trends, which were everywhere during London Fashion Week.
Whether you choose camouflage cargo trousers or something crochet, wear them with other throwback trends to fully embrace the aesthetic.
Trench coats are essential in the British wardrobe (like it or not, we are known for our showers). While classic iterations always make an appearance on the streets of Fashion Week, I did note several unexpected iterations.
From block panelling to checked inserts, look for details that elevate your trenches to, in turn, elevate your outfits.
Next Up, Spring/Summer 2022 Trends: The Only 17 Looks You Need to Know About
