We’ve missed you, London Fashion Week, but what a welcome return it has been. While the rest of the country focuses on what to wear in spring, in the capital all sights were on Autumn/Winter 2023, and among the waterproof coats and chunky knits the runways were alive with bursts of colour, texture, and vibrancy that felt like a celebration of the turn of the season.
London has always had the reputation of being the rebel child of fashion month. While Paris has its couture roots, Milan is an artistic mix of high-fashion prints and colour, and New York is lofty and cool, London has always championed anarchic edge, and the city’s playful attitude came into full effect this season, making the most of the post-pandemic feeling of dressing up and heading out.
So what did Who What Wear’s editors wear to celebrate this momentous return to statement dressing? In typical fashion, we all brought our own personality to the mix, wearing everything from glossy leather jackets to smart tailoring (with plenty of exciting accessories thrown in for good measure). Whether heading into east London postcodes for up-and-coming designers or pounding the pavements of west London for über luxury (shoutout to boutique hotel, The Laslett for having us to stay!) we stayed true to our favourite new-season outfits. So, if you fancy a little new-season inspo or simply just a nosy into our wardrobes (and I don’t blame you), keep scrolling to see what we wore to London Fashion Week 2023. See you in September for round two…
“After years of trying to dress more ‘fashion’, I’ve settled into a happy place where I feel comfortable stepping out in quieter pieces. Sure, they’re never going to cause a flashbulb frenzy, but nothing makes me look and feel more put together than a blazer, tailored trouser and black leather accessories. I picked this Zara blazer up two weeks before London Fashion Week without a specific reason—I loved the length and the slightly sharper shoulder. Of course, it was the first thing I reached for when I touched down in London. Pairing it with some black trousers I had lying around and a basic tee, this is my take on effortless dressing.” Maxine Eggenberger, Deputy Editor
“My (now sold out) Zara coat has been an absolute life saver for winter so it was a must-have for gallivanting around in the cold during fashion week. I wanted to create a bit of juxtaposition pairing this By Malene Birger dress with the distressed looking Acne boots.and accessorising with the Acne checked scarf and bright bag for an element of fun.” Remi Afolabi, Video Editor
“As soon as I saw this top I knew I had to wear it, and the rest of the outfit was really just the backdrop. Tyler McGillivary is a genius when it comes to designing off-the-wall, once-in-a-lifetime pieces, and so I paired this pansy top with a black maxi coat and skirt to let the splash of colour and avant garde shape really speak for themselves.” Remy Farrell, Shopping Editor
“I have an addiction to knitted co-ords and I wear red all the time, so it was inevitable that this Me + Em set would make its way into my wardrobe. I’m looking forward to when I can wear it without a coat or jacket at all—as you really miss the detail of the stripes when outerwear is involved—but a cropped jacket felt like the right choice for my short stature.” Hannah Almassi, Editor in Chief
“Chances are, like me, you’ve seen denim maxi skirts all over Instagram right now. I knew I wanted to try one over Fashion Week and when I spotted this Mango style online it was fate! Simple polished accessories and a black leather jacket help complete the look, but I’d also wear the skirt with trainers and a jumper.” Joy Ejaria, Social Media Editor
“I wanted to play around with my reliable blazer and jeans look and switch in this incredible leather bomber and Mango’s uber-cool cargo jeans which feel a little bit fresher for this season. Turns out a lot of people had the same idea since we saw so many leather bombers in the crowds!” Emily Dawes, Affiliate Editor.
“A lover of 80s oversized tailoring, when I saw this pink skirt suit by Georgian designer, Anouki, I knew I had to make the investment. It’s been lingering in my wardrobe waiting for the appropriate occasion–its XXL shoulder pads are perhaps a little much for everyday wear, so I’ve been saving it for fashion week. It’s currently sold out, but the Peachy Den do one just as good. Okay, so the silhouette is a little SpongeBob SquarePants, but that pink? Especially when paired with the silver rhinestones of Praying’s iconic “God’s Favorite” t-shirt? Let’s just say I have no regrets.” Rebecca Rhys-Evans, Branded Content Editor.
“This classic trench is the perfect layering piece for this time of year when we often experience in-between and confusing weather. I’ve worn mine over double denim (yes, its back!) and added heels for a Fashion Week touch.” Joy Ejaria, Social Media Editor
“Throw open my wardrobe and you’ll see that it’s full of neutrals; shades of camel and cream and brown and black that can be intermixed at a moment’s notice. The older I get, the less brain-space I have to think about my outfits ahead of time, so the fact I was able to get ready in a hurry and still look presentable, as I like to think I did this day, is testament enough that my theory works. I snapped up this H&M textured knit co-ord the moment I saw it land online and, honestly, it’s the best thing I’ve bought in a long while. The quality definitely surpasses the price. Footwear-wise, after experiencing some blisters the day before, I cannot reiterate enough how heavenly it was walking around in these Dear Frances boots. They might look fierce, but the reality of wearing them is anything but. Very much an all-day boot, which is what you need when you’re dashing between shows.” Maxine Eggenberger, Deputy Editor
“Remember Kendall Jenner’s ‘no pants’ outfit? Well, using the same Commando bodysuit as a starting point, I thought about how I could translate the look into something a little more ‘chilly day in east London’, and wore it under a sheer maxi dress and belted mac. It left far more to the imagination but still showed a hint of skin.” Remy Farrell, Shopping Editor
“What can I say? I’m a set girl! I pieced together this skirt suit from Massimo Dutti (even though they didn’t offer it as such) as the fabrics were just about close enough in shade and finish to make it work. Throw in a sharp-collared knit and you instantly have a ’70s vibe—the era that I feel most comfortable wearing.” Hannah Almassi, Editor in Chief
“‘If in doubt, I always return to smart layering when I want to feel pulled together. This Me+Em shirt is the perfect classic item to incorporate into any spring look, and the buttery smooth texture of Whistles’ leather shacket added the perfect touch of luxury.” Emily Dawes, Affiliate Editor
“When I want to feel comfortable but still put-together, I always turn to jeans, heeled boots and a blazer. And that was exactly my vibe on the final day of Fashion Week. Frankie Shop’s Bea blazer is well worth the hype, and I wore it nearly every single day over the weekend, making it well worth the price tag already in my eyes. A striped shirt with the cuffs poking through gives what would’ve been an all-black look a pop of colour. Sometimes the simplest of looks are the best…” Poppy Nash, Managing Editor
