Standing in front of my wardrobe ahead of another fashion month, my first thought is, “I have nothing to wear.” It’s not true, of course, and my wardrobe is packed full of pieces I’ve been carefully curating over the years, it’s just that I needed some fresh inspiration on how to style them in a way that made them feel brand new again. My first port of call when I’m searching for outfit ideas? Well, Instagram, of course. And if working in fashion has taught me anything, it’s how to use social media to uncover easy-to-recreate looks, new brands, and to get some valuable insight into which pieces are worth their price tag, and over the years I’ve assembled a go-to list of some of fashion’s most stylish that have helped me to make some seriously smart sartorial decisions as of late.
The beginning of the year is always the perfect time to take stock and update your wardrobe with some fresh pieces you can wear for the next 12 months and beyond, so in a bid to help you avoid getting stuck in a shopping rut, I turned to some of Instagram’s best dressed to find out which pieces they are really wearing now. But be warned, as continuing to scroll through may inspire you to add just about every piece to your wish list.
Should you be in need of some styling tips from the best in the business, I’ve reached out to influencers, editors, and stylists from every fashion capital across the world to find out what the fashionable women in Milan, Paris, London and New York are wearing this fashion month and beyond. Below are the hero buys these style insiders are lusting after now, so all you have to do is sit back, scroll through, and add to your basket to prepare for a very stylish season ahead.
“This jacket is the latest and greatest addition to my coat/jacket collection. I was missing a short option for the heavier winter months and this shearling number checks all the boxes. It’s one of the softest shearlings ever, and goes perfectly with either pants or a skirt with sheer tights.”
“This Frankie shop blazer is probably my most worn piece of clothing, so much so that I own it in three different colourways! I love it styled over a loungewear set to elevate an otherwise super casual look, or over a dress/skirt combo for an evening out. The super oversized fit keeps the look always chic and cool without it ever being too formal/workwear-esque.”
“My style has evolved a lot from denim-oriented to more suit pant looks as I love the way the wide-leg fit flows. I usually like to contrast these pants with some converse so they don’t look like work pants. You really just need one good pair of black pants with a perfect fit and you can style them in so many ways!”
“On my wishlist? This Celine bomber. Bomber jackets are my latest obsession, but specifically this super soft cashmere one. The lighter colour way makes it perfect for spring!
“In Milan you can’t really get around daily in heels, so after spending last few years mostly in sneakers, I’m definitely in ballerina mode this season. I’m gonna dig out my 20 year old stored-away-suede-bowed Lanvin ballerinas, and add these sleek Prada’s to my new season wishlist.”
“I live in coats from October to March, and though I got this perfectly sharp tailored Musier coat more than 2 years ago it’s still one of my favourites. Good news it’s been restocked again this season, and for a valued penny.”
“After Covid and going on long walks accompanied with smaller shoulder bags, I’m ready for something oversized to fit more than my essentials, whilst still wearing comfortably on my shoulders. This new, timeless Bottega Andiamo bag is on my dream list this season, and the rich, burgundy colour will work perfectly in the summer months, and for upcoming travels.”
“I’m a sucker for shoes and can we just all agree that these are the most iconic party shoes? I got them last week and cannot stop wearing them. I love statement shoes because they make any outfit look fun! Yes, I would even wear these with the most basic of tracksuits and yes, they would make anything look expensive!”
“Now onto my wish list. I am not the biggest fan of trends, I tend to go for archive pieces most of the time as it’s so much more personal and timeless. I’ve never loved the Chanel Timeless Classique in neutral colours, but the one that really does things to me is the red one (specifically the vintage–I love the flat hardware which sadly they don’t produce anymore). Red and gold is the chicest and sexiest combo, and I feel like it’s so much more classic than the black or nude one (I know, unpopular opinion). So yes, this must be the one thing on top of my wish list right now.”
“I recently got this stunning MCM tote bag and god knows I needed it! I always struggled finding a bag that’s chic and practical at the same time, and this one really is perfect to use as an everyday bag. It’s so chic and most importantly, it fits all my laptop, 23 diaries and chargers!”
“This is simply the most comfortable jumper, ever. The shape is perfect and I love the colour.”
“I love this skirt that I can wear low on the waist or high waisted with a belt. It is also really comfortable, which is my main priority as a busy mum.”
“It’s between these or Adidas Samba sneakers (if I have to run all day, I wear the sneakers), but for a party or dinner, I like to put these boots which are my current favourites, so comfortable but so sexy!”
“With spring just around the corner, there are a lot items are currently on my list, and I love tones that will brighten the season. I love this shade of blue as it means wisdom, freshness, and serenity. There is nothing better to symbolise transition and rebirth. The full suit is perfect for everyday and a night out, so during the day I would like to wear it with a pair of sneakers and a white t-shirt, and in the evening with a pair of low-heeled sandals, accessorised with pretty golden jewellery.”
“One of the pieces that I dream of having now in an effort to add more colour to my wardrobe. This Chanel bag comes from secondhand site Vintega that has a large selection that I love.”
“To pair with the blue tones of the suit and Chanel bag, this pair of ballerinas. Two words: ‘comfortable’ and ‘chic’.”
“I love everything the girls Jeanette and Thora do over at Rotate, they really know how to capture the energy of how girls want to dress up every season. I think this silver trench is perfect for Fashion Week, which is coming up, but is also incredibly practical, which is important to me as I simply am not cut out for the cold!”
“Since moving to London last year from Hong Kong, I’ve really had to overhaul my shoe inventory as boots and trainers have become my new staples, but the good news is I now live in a part of the world where I could potentially wear shearling sandals! I have a soft spot for accessories that look like furry monsters (my partner can attest to this), so these sandals quickly became a new addition. They make every outfit a little more interesting.”
“I am currently in full wedding prep mode as my wedding is in June, and my browser history reflects that. An overwhelming amount of white dresses are currently sitting in my shopping cart for all the events around the big day, but one of my favourites is definitely this Magda Butrym jersey dress. I love the ruching and flirty ruffles, and that the dress overall remains quite simple.”
“I recently bought this Fendi First bag and its honestly been my best purchase of 2022! It’s super versatile for both day and night with the detachable strap, plus it looks fairly small from the outside but it has sooo much space on the inside to chuck everything you need in there for the day!”
“I’m usually the girl that sticks to the usual capsule wardrobe colours–grey, black, beige, and blue as they are so easy to style on a daily basis, however lately I have been adding pops of colour to my wardrobe and i’m really enjoying it! This tailored coat still gives me smart and structured vibes but also very fun and vibrant at the same time.”
“I’m into comfy-chic fashion at the moment, and these slip ons allow me to not only be smart and dressed up, but also comfortable throughout the whole day. They are perfect for a impromtu date night or a work meeting.”
“The green Toteme Draped Fringed Jacket has been on my Wishlist for a few months now–it’s the perfect piece in the ideal transitional shade.”
“Adidas Sambas have been so hard to get hold of for ages, so I’m glad to finally get my hands on a pair! They are so comfy, and you can literally pair them with anything in your wardrobe.”
“It’s true–you can never go wrong with a tailored blazer. I currently have the The Frankie Shop’s Gelso oversized blazer on my wish list to wear on repeat for the season ahead.”
“Winter is my favourite season to dress for because you can do the most with layering. This vest has been the perfect piece to add on top for an extra layer of warmth and texture. I have been loving pairing the puffy fabric with a thick knit and jeans–it makes every outfit more interesting.”
“I’m a firm believer that clothing should be cute and functional, but I also unfortunately look goofy in a beanie. A balaclava solves all my problems. I’ve been wearing ones that I designed/knit myself. I have a few one of a kind ones available on my website and also the pattern available if you also picked up knitting this winter as a new hobby.”
” I’ve recently become newly obsessed with my Solomons again. I bought them in May and wore them all through the summer but retired them for a bit in the fall. I’ve been really drawn to brighter colours in the winter and love the bit of bright blue they add to a more neutral fit.”
“This mixed media jacket from Rave Reviews is everything! It gives ‘blanket cocoon’ but fully functional as a coat. Im obsessed with colour and pattern blocking so this piece definitely fits the bill, it can also be paired with clashing prints and of course, a Canadian tuxedo.”
“I’m living in these Diemme boots lately because they’re so comfy, but also total show stoppers! They pair well with everything which is weird because they are so bright, but they add that extra ‘oomph’ that levels up my lazy outfit days.”
“I am absolutely dying for these denim boots because, why not! But really, they are super versatile and easy to pair with a mini leather skirt or shorts, or you could even hide them under a pair of wide leg jeans. They can be worn with quite literally anything, and every single colour–and I’m all about cost per wear.”
“One day as I shifted through my closet, I came to the realisation that I needed a denim trench coat. I had a pair of blue jeans I was dying to wear but couldn’t find a coat that made them pop. Just a few days later I stopped by the Banana Republic store and saw one—I knew it was fate. I bought it immediately and haven’t stopped wearing it since, but there’s an equally good one still in stock at COS too.”
“Right now, I’m constantly looking for an excuse to wear a good pair of wide-leg jeans. Every morning when I get dressed, my decision making process starts there. My current favourite pair that I can’t stop gravitating towards is surprisingly from Reformation. They’ve outshone some of my favourite denim brands with this pair.”
“Sorry, but I’m so over micro-bags. I have a lot of stuff and I’m looking for a place to stash it. I got rid of some of my smaller styles in exchange for this By Far bag and I’ve been going for it daily. It’s the perfect finishing touch to every outfit and designers are all about hobo bags right now.”
