As I mentioned last season, while others may attend fashion week front rows to get just that little bit closer to the fashion fantasy, I am more interested in the quotidian styling take-aways.
Yes, hearing the sound tulle skirting brush against the runway's floor at Molly Goddard was mesmeric, and the silk-bedecked celebrities at Emilia Wickstead were a sight to behold, but what kept my eyes keen on the catwalk at London Fashion Week were the micro trends and styling tricks I can realistically work into my wardrobe right now.
Trends come in cycles, which means if you hold on to what you have (and look after them), work in a buy or two a season, and fashion them in a new-season style, you'll look as on the pulse as anyone, with the added bonus of maintaining a sense of personal style.
So, with that in mind, here are the styling tricks I'll be stealing straight from London's AW24 shows and wearing IRL...
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1. Pretty Parkas At Simone Rocha
Set in London's oldest surviving church, St Bartholomew the Great, Simone Rocha's AW24 show was as haunting as it was magical. But beyond the fantastical faux-fur shoes and tulle corsetry lay some perfectly practical rainwear. Sometimes pulled in with aforementioned corsets and often embellished by bows, Rocha's voluminous and pretty parkas gave me an extra reason to always be prepared.
I'll be sizing up the next time I invest in a windbreaker to recreate the look and pairing with as whimsical a look as I can pull together, bows included.
WARDROBE.NYC Gathered Shell Parka
Raey Cotton-Blend Parka
Cos Layered Parka
2. Bubble Hems And Blush Tones At Molly Goddard
Molly Goddard told ELLE UK ahead of her AW24 show that she was going for the: 'big blobby look' and I must admit, she completely nailed it. Playing with volume and fabrications, the London-born designer's childlike creations - which are made up of multiple singular garments layered on each other - are as jolly as they are sculptural.
I'll be opting for a less-is-more approach and invest in just one of the pink and puffy pieces, pairing them not with further Goddard confections, but rather a white t-shirt and ballet flats come summer.
Shop Bubble Hems
Asos Tall Taffeta Bubble Hem Skirt
Weekday Olivia Balloon Skirt
Reformation Misty Skirt
3. Ladylike Looks With Loafers At Emilia Wickstead
Mark my words, after a year of the girl things are going to get a little more ladylike around here. Enter Emilia Wickstead's AW24 collection inspired by: 'street style photography in mid-century New York during the late 1960s and 1970s.' While elegance in the form of pencil and A-line skirts, car coats, and herringbone was aplenty, the show, styled by Harry Lambert, wasn't without a little tomboy edge.
Most looks were styled with sheer, knee-high tights and a pair of unexpectedly clumpy loafers. Offering even the most prim of ensembles a boyish charm, I'll be following suit by pairing my G.H.Bass pair with shift dresses for the rest of the year.
G.H.Bass Easy Weejuns Penny Loafers
Russell And Bromley Penelope Loafers
Cos Leather Loafers
4. Sweater Scarves At 16Arlington
16Arlington's AW24 show was all about the monster, with oversized shearling coats, immense ostrich-leather bags and a stupendous amount of organza skirting. But, nestled in the fairytale villain of it all, was the highly wearable (and sneakily preppy) trick of tying your sweater (and sometimes shirt) as a scarf.
Be it in lamé fringing or fine-knit mohair, a jaunty tie of your jumper can transform your outfit by bringing a bit of texture to your look. I'll be layering my black jumper over vintage leather and a red cardigan over summer cottons when the time comes.
Molly Goddard Anya Lambswool Cardigan
Arket Wool-Alpaca Roll-Neck Jumper
&DAUGHTER Ada Wool Cardigan
Shop London Fashion Week Now
Molly Goddard Alma Mini Dress
Burberry Saddle Knee-High Boots
Simone Rocha Cropped Appliquéd Cotton Top
JW Anderson Leather Shoulder Bag
Erdem Floral-Embroidered Blazer
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