What London Women Are Truly Dressed in Proper Now

London street style isn't a new phenomenon—the pavements of our capital city have long been dotted with photographers capturing the fashion zeitgeist, from i-D magazine's era-defining straight-ups in the '80s through to documentary snaps of Carnaby Street's '60s mods and rockers. You'll even be able to dig up a Victorian-style snap here and there—even if the focus was probably on the automobiles and industry backdrop, we won't pass up any chance to see a bustle in action.

Today you may be likely to find less of the extremely diverse underground tribes that this cultural hub has always been famed for, but there are still style factions present (and many that we draw great inspiration from). London's a place where you can wear your wackiest outfit to breakfast and no one will bat an eyelid. However, it's also a place where you can be ultra-chic and businesslike one day and trend-led the next. Your style can be whatever it wants to be at any given time. And it's true—Brits really do give good outfit inspiration 24/7.

That's why we're bringing a new instalment each month of true London street style to Who What Wear UK. Spring 2018 is blooming, and this past week was a real mixture of super hot and cooler rainy days: That meant dresses were rescued out of hibernation, feet were let free in sandals whenever possible and we all added a little more colour to our outfit ideas. Keep reading to see great outfit ideas from the sidewalks of this fair city.

Style Notes: Patch-worked Waven jeans make a statement on their own, so model Lauren only needs to add staples like an aviator jacket, sweatshirt and black ankle boots to cool 100% awesome.

Style Notes: You know when girls borrow from boys and make it look so effortless? Well, that's exactly what this influencer has done: Her shirt and trousers are genuinely menswear. Her boots are Topshop (they're £40 and still available) and bag is from a new brand called Salar.

Style Notes: Props to student Rhoda for handmaking her trousers and finding almost everything else via thrift stores. If you're already done with head-to-toe red, get on yellow.

Style Notes: Georgia may be a social media consultant but we'd quite like her to consult on our wardrobes… How great is this black boot (Topshop) + checked jacket (Zara) + denim shorts (Levi's) combo?

Style Notes: Claudia works in fashion marketing at Net-a-Porter, so her killer look makes a great deal of sense. Her monochrome pieces (Ellery blouse, Frame jeans and J.W. Anderson bag) look even more effective when set against hot-pink and red Maureen Mules (£435) from Malone Souliers. Jealous.

Style Notes: Accessories are the magic items that bring museum event co-ordinator, Gina's outfit to life. We can't decide what we love more: extreme cat-eye shades, Comme Des Garcons Play Sneakers (£241) or her vintage earrings?

Style Notes: Zavi is a model, which explains those endless fishnet-clad pins, but there's still a lot to be taken from her black-on-black ensemble. Namely that jet denim (like her Zara jacket) is back in town.

Style Notes: Stylist Barbara has complemented her new-but-retro sunnies from Gucci with a host of vintage goodies. Her concise colour palette keeps an adventurous look together.

Style Notes: It's THOSE red Zara boots again. We can't blame this savvy 27-year-old fashion designer for snapping them up, but we're particularly impressed by the way she's colour co-ordinated them with her M&S top and Kenzo bag, sandwiching the look with white jeans and a dusky-blue vintage jacket.

Style Notes: Sophia is a 24-year-old student with a truly creative outlook for her wardrobe. Very few of us would think to pair royal-blue socks with tan shoes, or a smart tailored jacket shrugged off to reveal al ittle shoulder. Also, that neck-scarf (it's Ann Demeulemeester, BTW).

Style Notes: The way Vera has added oodles of personality to her Prada blazer and tailored trousers is something to behold: From her Moschino belt (an unexpected way to cinch a double-breasted jacket) to her khaki-green fedora, this look is effortlessly cool.

Style Notes: Robin, a store manager, knows where an of-the-moment outfit's key focal point is at: The back. This Mango Buckled Jumpsuit (£50) and backless shirt from Topshop is an inspired but easy-to-replicate combination. 10/10.

Style Notes: Pattawee, a student, exemplifies the London fashion spirit: a bit of designer action (hello, Gucci bag), a dash of vintage (her trousers are second hand) and a little sprinkling of a hot, new name (that tee is from Gosha Rubchinskiy).

Style Notes: Now here's a clever new layering trick: See how Miha's placed an embroidered tee over a plain white shirt? It proves you can get some extra mileage out of your summer goods even now. Also, props for a successful one-shoulder shrug of her Alexander McQueen jacket.

Style Notes: This fashion director has clearly been looking at the same pictures I've been ogling of 1980s singer Sade. Samantha's accessories are full of wit, so staples, like a black velvet blazer and a roll-neck, act as the perfect base layer.

Style Notes: Desislava, a journalist, knows a good trend when she sees one. We're into her double-dose of vinyl: Her trousers (and jacket) are from Acne Studios, while the bag is a recognisable number from Christopher Kane. The muted colour palette makes this adventurous fabric combination look easy.

Style Notes: Not only has Inês proved it's a great idea to mix 'n' match your frayed denim (Marques'Almeida top and Uniqlo jeans) but she's also proved that it's a good idea to invest in this season's pouch bag trend—the mini grab-style adds a certain cuteness to any grunge look.

Style Notes: Sometimes the most random pieces can work beautifully together, as proven by Annabelle, a PR assistant for River Island. How does she ensure the River Island jacket, ASOS jeans, Topshop shoes and 3.1 Phillip Lim bag all work together? It's down to little highlights of colour tying every piece into a unified concept.

Style Notes: Creative director by trade, seriously creative closet by nature! Clodie has taken the skirt-over-trousers formula to its furthest degree with her neon tube and ruffled flares. This wild getup is predominantly vintage and high street, showing once again that you don't have to spend a fortune to stand out.

Style Notes: It's Fenn's concise (and slightly all-American stars-and-stripes vibe) that we dig here. Her Sandro jacket is such a head-turner that simple jeans, ankle boots and a white sweater allow it to really shine.

Style Notes: Andrea has given us food for thought. With the student's longline flea market–bought biker jacket and statement frames from Andy Wolf, we've got yet another way to wear that pleated midi skirt.

Style Notes: If you're ever searching for a transitional summer-to-autumn outfit idea, look to communications director Audrey. With her chunky Maiyet sweater set against a leg-baring thigh-slit Céline skirt and knee-high boots from Acne Studios, this ensemble has it going on. Plus, a blush bag (also from Céline) does a nice job of pepping up the neutrals.

Style Notes: Artist Angela has tapped into one of the year's coolest micro trends: fishnets. Her Marques'Almeida dress really pops and could be considered racy, but with the clever addition of sneaks, this stays firmly in streetwear territory.

Style Notes: Ida may be studying maths, but she certainly knows a high-low fashion formula when she sees one. Pairing luxe pieces—like a Céline bag and Rodebjer coat—with high-street basics—like her Zara ankle boots—is a clever way to look on point each winter by only updating a few elements.

Style Notes: It's no wonder that as a personal shopper, Camille has a pretty impressive edit in her own wardrobe. Her modern take on bohemia is inspiring. A Saint Laurent fringed suede cape and denim Current/Elliott culottes are oh-so '70s, but the simple black top, Hermès belt, popping red Louis Vuitton bag and plain ballet pumps bring the look to 2016.

Style Notes: The acidic hues of Elis's Peter Jensen sweater and American Retro jacket don't look OTT when paired with fresh white sneaks and true-blue jeans. A very clever way to brighten up a dull day indeed.

Style Notes: Now that's how to make layering look chic. Interior designer Christina Nicholson piles on lightweight, tonal separates to create her look. Shout out to Uniqlo for that excellent puffer.

Style Notes: Eva's an author, and her fashion choices tell just as much of a story. From her majestic fur-trimmed military-style jacket to her quirky glasses (both Gucci) and satin Prada evening dress she wore in the daytime, this subtle tonal combination walks the English eccentric line with great ease.

Style Notes: Channeling a slice of Wes Anderson is never a bad move, and senior sales manager Charlotte's yellow Stutterheim anorak certainly does that. We like how she's given it a modern twist with light jeans and Perspex-heeled boots.

Style Notes: Marketing executive Christina shows just how elevated a plain grey coat from Zara can be with the swoosh of a giant scarf, some clompy ankle boots and an It bag from Valentino.

Style Notes: Fashion blogger Hedvig has carefully chosen luxe basics that apart look simple, but when combined together seem powerful and effortless: A Tibi sweater, black trousers, Marni Leather Pumps (£610) and Proenza Schouler Whipstitched Bucket Bag (£1010) work harmoniously.

Style Notes: Sometimes it's the simplest tweak that can give a plain outfit power—take the way Edith, a curator, has twisted her plaid scarf around her neck.

Style Notes: PA Gemma knows just how to punctuate an all-black outfit: by matching the motif on her Kenzo sweatshirt to a furry bag charm.

Style Notes: Playing a game of fashion mix-and-match is actress and model Elle in her jazzy Self-Portrait Embellished Wide Leg Trousers (£239), worn with thick-soled sneakers, layered Zara knitwear and a clashing leather-sleeved coat. Her trinket necklace adds a travelled-around-the-world nonchalance, don't you think?

Style Notes: Giving athleisure a jolt into new territory, Fangui's sporty pieces are transformed by heritage-style accessories—her Louis Vuitton satchel and Dr Martens loafers.

Style Notes: What did we tell you about "dad shoes"? Maria uses her adidas versions to great effect, helping to give a smart & Other Stories x Rodarte jacket and black trousers a casual lilt.

Style Notes: What did we tell you about this golden shade of mustard? It's big news on the streets right now, and doesn't designer Meryll wear it well? A velvet Prada bag sitting on her brocade Dries Van Noten coat makes for a textural feast—but she brings the London sensibility with sensible brogues, cutoff jeans and a simple sweater.

Style Notes: One way to instantly up your winter game? A strong pair of sunnies. PR intern, Mia Micozzi, bought her on-trend pair at Camden market. Very thrifty.

Style Notes: Sophie's twist on a classic combo (a blazer and jeans) has us reaching for our closets and rejigging the essentials… If you want to pay homage to her natty look, her jacket is Isabel Marant, her jeans are from Mother and her shoes are Gucci's Horsebit Slingback Flats (£365). Done.

Style Notes: Punk is still alive and well in the capital. Sarah brings an unexpected a dash of preppy to her vintage ensemble with a striped Banana Republic shirt peeking out from her sweater.

Style Notes: Ah, now here's a great idea for your summer skirts. Painter Natalia Ocerin bought her gingham number from Zara and has brought it into autumn with a bright biker jacket (Ferra) and sneakers (DC).

Style Notes: Now that's a scarf. Virginia Burlina quite clearly knows the impact of an excellent accessory and has livened up her black jeans with a host of them: Her giant wrap is from Dries Van Noten, and her bag is Prada. Proof on investment pieces if we ever saw it. Next: See which five trends are always cool in London.

Original Article

Fashion

June 04, 2018