It’s not every season that most of the big shows during fashion month send looks down the runway that anyone, even someone who might not necessarily consider themselves a “fashion person,” could recreate with pieces they already own. Trust me—I’ve attempted to mimic my fair share of runway looks. Typically, it involves the help of sample pulls, personal purchases, and sometimes even cutting up pieces in my closet. But this fall, you can rest easy knowing that one of the most significant and talked-about trends of the entire season was wearability.
From a tank top and jeans closing out Matthieu Blazy’s third show for Bottega Veneta to Miu Miu models donning leggings and zip-up hoodies, there was no shortage of wardrobe staples and basics on the runway at the fall/winter 2023 shows across the board, from New York to Paris and everywhere in between. Tailored coats reigned supreme at Khaite. Blazers accompanied nearly every model at Saint Laurent. And classic denim made appearances at both Alaïa and Gucci. Clearly, designers, like us, have an affinity for pieces that are as versatile and sensible as they are shockingly gorgeous in construction. *Sighs in relief.*
Prepare to save all 60 of the runway looks featured ahead. Trust me, you’ll need them when you go to style all the classic staples in your current wardrobe.
Nothing in your wardrobe or anyone’s really is more classic and wearable than a good ol’ pair of blue jeans, especially one that’s pretty much straight forward. This season, at Gucci, Alaïa, Dries Van Noten, and more, designers went for traditional non-stretch denim styled in simple ways, with chic outerwear, T-shirts, and poplin shirts.
Though we are talking about fall collections, that doesn’t mean that we can’t wear the items included in them right now as we approach spring and summer. Case in point: tank tops, which dominated the runways at Saint Laurent, Ferragamo, and Bottega Veneta. Who knew such a simple item could have such a monumental impact?
Sure, you could wait until autumn to break out your trench coats à la the fall runways, but if you’re also champing at the bit to start mimicking the above looks, feel free to pull out your handy trench for spring and style it like Gucci and Tory Burch, with denim and simple button-down shirts.
If layering is tricky for you (or is that just me?), buying a thin turtleneck and styling it underneath sweaters, light outerwear, dresses, and button-downs is a great place to start. And if you need inspiration, here are five looks from the fall runways—including ones from Khaite, Victoria Beckham, and Brandon Maxwell—that will do just the trick.
Leggings? On the runway? I know, I was surprised too, but once you see how designers like Maximilian Davis for Ferragamo and Miuccia Prada for Miu Miu styled them, you’ll get why leggings are becoming such a huge trend right now among the fashion set (for a lot more than just pilates classes and grocery runs).
Our editorial director Lauren Eggertsen was the first person to take note of the rising hoodie trend while she was on the ground in Milan during the Italian city’s shows. And her instincts were right, as the oftentimes considered grungey basic went on to be a major player throughout the remaining weeks of fashion month, showing up at Ferragamo, Courreges, and Miu Miu.
There’s no basic that Who What Wear’s editors love (or wear) more than a classic button-down shirt, and apparently, fashion’s top designers agree. At Prada, Versace, The Row, and more, poplin shirts were a frequent sight, styled with denim, miniskirts, and oversize trousers.
If you’re in need of an alternative for jeans that isn’t leggings or something equally loungewear-facing, look no further than corduroy pants. Just as cool and casual with a far more elevated edge, the thick-woven cords seen at Tory Burch, Loewe, and Dries Van Noten have the power to make any look feel more intentional and unexpected.
History might tell us that dresses are complicated—with difficult zippers, constricting boning, and buttons you need a friend to secure—but clearly, it failed to take into account the alluring qualities of a slip dress, which requires no effort at all yet remains one of the chicest silhouettes there is. Designers such as Brandon Maxwell, Svitlana Bevza, and Anthony Vaccarello understand that, and dressed their fall/winter 2023 models to prove it.
Blazers are one of those staples that you simply have to own—period. Perfect for work settings, going out, and most importantly, nothing types of days, the tailored top layer can do no wrong according to the fashion industry. For new ways to style the essential piece, look to Tove, Michael Kors Collection, Saint Laurent, and Victoria Beckham.
When you really don’t know what to wear, 9 times out of 10, a high-quality knit is the way to go, whether you pair it with a slip skirt, trousers, or jeans. Simple yet effective, once you own one (or 20 if you’re like me), all you need is some creativity to help you determine how to style it. And for that, you’ll always achieve success when Prada, Proenza Schouler, or Tory Burch is your muse.
Last but certainly not least is the tailored coat, a must have in any fall wardrobe if you’re going for that no-effort but still undeniably chic aesthetic that so many of us are. Portrayed perfectly at Khaite, Stella McCartney, and Brandon Maxwell, this style is the outerwear of choice for the best dressers in fashion.
