Best of Fashion Week Street Style: Paris

Latest trends

Paris is always an exciting place to be. Most especially during fashion week, of course. The City of Lights and Romance Capital of the World turns into a runway filled with the best street style looks from the European and international fashion elite. Everyone who’s anyone, and anyone who’s lucky enough to be invited to the shows pulls out all the stops and shows off all the sartorial tricks up their sleeve for Paris Fashion Week.

New York is urban. London is a little bit rebellious. Milan is sensual sophistication. Paris is all about making a unique statement clothed in a whole lotta glam. Here are the best looks and coolest trends I’ve spotted:

Leather and Lace

Leather and lace is one of those unusual fashion combinations that totally works. It’s tough gal meets modern romantic, girly meets punk. The marriage of these two materials almost always result in stunning looks. Paris fashionistas take it up a notch with unexpected silhouettes and daring hemlines.

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Patent Animal Skin

Animal prints are pretty much wardrobe staples at this point. Take your love for animal skin to a more exotic and flamboyant level with the patent animal skin trend that positively ruled the Paris streets come fashion week. This trend isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you’re bold enough, you’re a shoo-in for the most stylish in the room. Just ask Anna Dello Russo.

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Sleek and Sophisticated

Black is the ultimate in sleek and sophisticated. However, you can expect a little bit more from Parisian stylistas when it comes to styling this reliably chic color. From adding emerald green cropped biker jackets, adding a blazer for a menswear twist, and donning this eponymous color in its most alluring form–in leather, black is a go-to color to look chic. All these looks are proof that black is far from boring.

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Sparkle and Shine

Embellishments like sequins and feathers need not be confined to evening wear. In fact, Paris fashion week street style has redefined evening wear and made it into everyday wear. Hey, if you have the confidence and panache to rock a fully embellished evening frock during the light of the day, then go for it. Parisian fashionistas are known to make their own rules after all. Only one rule applies: always be fabulous.

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Printastic

Not just all about florals and stripes, Paris Fashion Week showed us an array of eye-popping prints that have a definite “shock and awe” value. Graphic black and white geometric lines, textured chevron with a sheen, and layered bohemian prints are just some of the print combinations that you should try for yourself.

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Je ne sais quoi

Je ne sais quoi means “I don’t know what.” That’s the literal meaning. When one says ‘je ne sais quoi,’ it is used to describe someone’s desirability that stems from something intangible, something you can’t quite out your finger on. Paris Street Style has “je ne sais quoi” to a T. There is just something magical, and borderline otherworldly about the fashion choices that you are inspired to make whenever you find yourself in Paris. I mean, just take a look these amazing looks below. Giovanna Battaglia’s bell-like sleeves, and inexplicable lime green on lime green ensemble that surprisingly works, fur plus striped marsala–these are looks that look right at home on the trailblazing streets of Paris.

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Photos from Elle and Stylecaster

Best of Fashion Week Street Style: New York

Latest trends

It’s astounding how different one city can be from another. The four fashion capitals, New York, Paris, Milan, and London, all have distinctive styles. I’m going to explore that with my series of blogs about Fashion Week street style.

Street style blogs have a cult following for a reason. It captures individual style and it captures the feeling, mood and personality of that particular moment. Where you live affects your sartorial choices, and I want to explore that through these blogs. I’ve curated images, which stand out for its sense of style as well as that unique New York feeling. New York is urban and straight forward, just like these stylistas. Here are my picks:

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Magazine editor Joanna Hillman isn’t afraid to wear two bohemian trends together. Billowy floral sleeves and fringe never looked this good together.

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I love this chic yet subtle take on color blocking. It’s a different way to dress up in warm colors when it’s autumn.

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Hanneli Mustaparta bucks the fashion rules dons a pair of floral overalls with gusto.

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Look closely and you’ll see 3 different kinds of graphic stripe in this look. So edgy.

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Model Lindsey Wixson nails Brooklyn cool in this ensemble. Love the brown belt and wide brim hat.

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The architectural feel of the check print and especially the shoes reflects the New York skyline. But just like the city, there’s an unpredictable element. How amazing is that pink furry clutch?!

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Make  a bold statement in Moschino.

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No shame in the matchy-matchy game. Start a new trend when you match your bright top with equally bright-hued sunglasses.

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There’s no reason why culottes can’t be done up in leather. That plus sheer sleeves equals edgy glamour.

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Editor Christine Centenera makes a strong case for pinstripes in this fashion forward look. Mostly black and navy, but never boring.

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Sweater dressing gets elevated with stark white masculine oxfords.

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This outfit is Upper East Side Gossip Girl style with a dash of modern. The white sneakers and ribbed turtleneck definitely put a trendy spin on the matching tailored blazer and shorts look.

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Nothing says downtown cool girl like an unexpected outfit pairing. A standard striped Breton shirt gets upgraded by a tiered ruffle skirt.

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Chiara Ferragni of the Blonde Salad blog looks adorable in this earthy 70s inspired look.

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Leandra Medine of the Man Repeller shows us her unique style yet again. Sequined Rugby shirts have never looked this chic.

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Stylist Liz Uy is an example of fashion excess done right. Printed platforms, oversized cuffed jeans, fringed clutch, and kimono tunic doesn’t sound like it should work, but it does.

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Irene Kim, Chriselle Lim, and Aimee Song = #squadgoals

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Go big or go home. Fringe plus voluminous culottes is the definition of full throttle fashion.

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Military green parkas are basically a staple in any city gal’s wardrobe. Here is a new and refreshing way to wear ’em.

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White T-shirt is a casual must-have. Knot it to the side and tuck it in, style it further with a printed blazer and you’ve got a winner.

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Contrast the trendiness of your It bag with a quirky vintage print and a ladylike classic bun.

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New Yorkers are always in black. Black + dark denim looks extra polished with the addition of a classic leather belt.

Photos from Harper’s Bazaar