Fashion week is, for many, all about the fantasy. The person you could be, with the right budget, hairdresser, and fashionably full social calendar.
Personally, I'm not that interested in the fantasy; my budget will always be disappointing, I cut my own hair, and I'm more interested in cornershop plonk than cocktail hour.
That doesn't make sitting front row at London Fashion Week any less interesting. Quite the opposite. Instead of pining for perfect dresses I'll never have the pleasure of wearing, I scour my favourite looks of fashion week for styling tricks and micro trends I can work into my own outfits ASAP. And that is what I just spent the weekend doing.
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Whether you already have something similar in your wardrobe, can find a secondhand or new similar style now, or are willing and able to wait until the real thing hits the shelves next spring, these are the pieces and styling tricks you can steal from London Fashion Week SS24.
Fiery Flats at Tove
Flats are having a real moment this season, with plenty of brands, like Aaron Esh, Supriya Lele and Tove themselves, pairing them with almost every single on of their looks, gowns included.
Flats have the benefit of offering every look an incredibly louche and laidback feel to any outfit, and the bonus of being comfy too. To stop everything feeling a little too casual, I'll be trying Tove's fiery red (the colour of 2023) flat slip ons, which they paired with silk dresses and strappy tops.
Bustles, Bloomers and Boxing Boots at Molly Goddard
Molly Goddard really played with the notion of getting dressed this season, exposing boning, bra straps and even bloomers for her SS24 collection. Peeping out of the bottom of dresses were petticoats and the back of skirts were ruched, mimicking a traditional bustle. I'm going to hold out for a pair of Goddard's bloomers to come into stock, but you could certainly recreate the look with some vintage nightwear.
Amping up the unexpected look, I'll be swapping out my regular kicks for some boxing boots too.
Boardroom Board Shorts at Emilia Wickstead
If Emilia Wickstead's offering of consummately constructed dresses feel a little formal for your day-to-day, then her silk board shorts have answered your prayers. Sent down the runway in white and black and paired with sensible, almost school uniform-like, jumpers, delightfully strappy sandals and sculptural earrings, these shorts are my surprise hit of the season.
While I could hold out until 2024 for these, I may need to take a pair of my satin trousers to the tailors right now.
Professional Pailettes at 16Arlington
I'm always keen to remind people that sequins aren't just for Christmas. Thankfully, Marco Capaldo of 16Arlington has joined me this season. For SS24 16Arlington showed oversized pailettes (some cut from latex might I add) in distincly daytime looks. Plonked on a coat, paired with a shirt and next to some suiting, suddenly sequins don't feel so fussy.
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
Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.
