Every February and September comes a fresh batch of street style pictures featuring the industry’s leaders and their take on the runway trends in real life. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of outfits to scroll through and, as inspiring as it is, the results can be overwhelming. Which is precisely why we take a great deal of time and care filtering through the lot in order to bring you concise edits of the trends as well as the key items fashion editors, stylists, writers, buyers and influencers are actually choosing to buy and wear for the new season.
The shows at New York and London have now been and gone, and the fashion pack are starting their schedule in Milan, but that’s more than enough IRL outfit fodder for us to start deducing that certain brands and cult pieces are already clear frontrunners in the race to be spring’s hottest items.
What’s interesting about this February’s crop is the steady pace at which the items’ popularity has been building throughout the year ahead of this peak moment. Insiders want their It buys to go the distance (just as you do too) so we are starting to find that flash-in-the-pan “must-haves” are less frequently spotted and slower burns like last year’s Balenciaga Cagole boots, Celine’s Triomphe sunglasses or Loewe tank tops, that are proving to be worth of one’s wallet and wardrobe. Keep scrolling to see the 10 items that are genuinely reaching cult status this month.
Style Notes: When it comes to avant-garde pieces you can actually wear on the regular, Loewe definitely has that niche covered.
Style Notes: The brand that started a trend for sculptural pieces and wearable art (yes, that car dress), have now taken the look to the streets for a this cosy take on exaggerated silhouettes. Well, if Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner and Taylor Russell are fans…
Only a few sizes left!
Style Notes: We know that a great blazer is a sound investment because they go with almost anything, but if you’re stuck in a tailoring rut and rely on a fitted, black jacket, take note of Khaite’s effortless, oversized blazer. Whether you’d wear it open with jeans, or dressed up with a satin slip dress, be prepared to act fast. Khaite doesn’t stay in stock for long, as it’s brand of laidback-luxe appeals to just about everybody.
The Frankie Shop, Raey, and Khaite are our go-tos for premium blazers that up the cool-factor.
Style Notes: Another sought-after creation from the mind of JW Anderson (albeit for his eponymous line rather than Loewe), you will have seen the bumper moon tote all over your feed, and popularity suggests that it might be the brand’s biggest It bag since the Pierce.
Statement dressers will love the Run Hany collab that gave the Moon bumper anime edge.
The ultimate arm candy.
Style Notes: It just wouldn’t be fashion week without the appearance of at least one buzzy collab, and this season is the turn of Louis Vuitton, whose partnership with artist Yayoi Kusama has been driving collectors quite literally dotty.
There’s everything from jewellery to limited edition fragrances sporting Kusama’s signature dots in the collection, but our favourite are the micro bags.
Style Notes: Since Chopova Lowena’s first show in London, superfans still come out in the brand’s signature pleats and rivets every fashion week to prove just how much this brand is loved by insiders.
Style Notes: With a simple shirt, tee or jumper, these intricately made skirts really do all the talking.
Every piece is so unique.
This skirt has “spring” written all over it.
Style Notes: If the NY crowd weren’t in fluffy faux fur or tailoring this month, you can bet they were in biker leather. This edgy jacket has always added a dose of cool to any look (see James Dean, Madonna, even Danny Zuko), and if there was any way to up the credentials of the casual jacket, it’s a cropped Prada version.
Everything you love about the classic biker jacket, updated.
Style Notes: You know you’ve got a new cult favourite on your hands when Justin Beiber, Kylie Jenner and Bella Hadid are snapped in the same sunnies only weeks apart. Enter Poppy Lissiman. You may have already spotted her playful bags and accessories on your Instagram feed, but its her sunnies that are currently stirring up a trend on the street style circuit. Not bad for an independent Aussie brand with less than 15 years in the industry.
Style Notes: Expect oversized frames, attention-grabbing colours, and updated classics from this Instagrammable brand that Who What Wear shopping editor Remy Farrell wore throughout fashion week.
This come in no less than six different colourways including sky blue and tortoiseshell.
A timeless style that still feels modern.
Style Notes: We’ve documented the rise of this high street It bag for some time now, but it really made itself known during the COS debut at last season’s NYFW, and is still a beloved bag for influencers and editors alike.
Style Notes: Who What Wear’s affiliate editor Emily Dawes keeps going back to her black leather version, but there’s also a tan, red, brown and now metallic blue version for those who want to add pop of colour.
Style Notes: We love uncovering an affordable gem that looks designer, and NA-KD’s shearling aviator cropped up several times on the streets of New York, looking far more expensive than it’s reasonable price tag.
Style Notes: The aviator jacket was a key piece last winter and even the one before, proving it’s longevity as a wardrobe staple.
Wear throughout chilly spring, and you’ll be counting down the days until summer is over so you can pull this out of your wardrobe again.
Style Notes: Miu Miu may have been creating this kind of ballerina pump for a long time now but a new wave of interest is surging for the easy-to-wear classic.
They were particularly popular in New York when set against skirts and knits.
