Best of Fashion Week Street Style: London

London is the capital of the more subversive side of the fashion coin. Designers like Alexander McQueen, Gareth Pugh, and Vivienne Westwood all call London their home, cementing the city’s status as a place where rebellious and unconventional fashion are born. More than that, London has been the hotbed for such historical and industry changing fashion trends such as mod and punk fashion. You can’t mention London without mentioning Savile Row, of course. Savile Row is the eponymous area in London, which is known for producing the best menswear and tailoring in the world.

For Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016, fashionistas stormed London in their sartorial best. But what I loved the most is how their own style became transformed and/or influenced by the signature style of this city. I’ve noticed some key London trends in the street style spotted, and here they are:

Mad for Plaid

Plaid and Tartan is for the Scots, I know. But it’s a huge part of London Style too! Especially when worn from head-to-toe and accentuated with large Mod-inspired sunnies, plaid is so chic and feels so very now.

 

Dashing and Dapper

Savile Row is famous the world over for their impeccable menswear tailoring. This legendary London fashion landmark definitely influences women’s wear too. Various incarnations of suiting styles, ranging from the quirky to the classic, has shown up on my street style radar and I am in love with how menswear suiting can be interpreted into women’s trends and styles. Putting a feminine or modern twist to a classic suit is always a great way to get dressed.

  

Prep School

London is home to a lot of preppy style as well. Classic jumpers and school girl skirt silhouettes are an essential part of preppy fashion. Refresh those two pieces for 2015 with oversized jumper silhouettes and alternative skirt fabrications like leather. You can also co-opt some school girl style into your wardrobe with Peter Pan collars, white socks worn with heeled oxfords, and overalls, of course.

    

High Street meets High Fashion

You can’t mention London without thinking of its storied high street brands such as Topshop, River Island, Miss Selfridge, and New Look. These eponymous brands has inspired a legion of London fashionistas to embrace high street trends and marry it with their high fashion sensibilities. Think of trendy fur vests, playful clutches, and gold metallic belts paired with the latest designer pieces of the season like Celine sunnies, Jil Sander sunnies and Balmain jackets.

  
London Calling

London has its own style and vibe for sure. There really is no one way to describe it. From preppy to punk, from mod to edgy menswear-inspired ensemble, one thing iis for sure London street style is characterized by a playful and youthful take on the latest trends. Just take a look at these street style snaps below, these are the perfect representations of true London style. Keep an eye out for London it girls, Chelsea Leyland and Alexa Chung.
      

Photos from Harper’s Bazaar

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Watch out for the next installment in this series. Next, I take a look at Milan Fashion Week Spring 2016 Street Style. Until the next one!

 

London calling

 

It would be a crime to be in London and not have a high tea. And I wanted to be good this time.

There is no lack of options when it comes to high tea in central London, but after a quick call we have opted for The Rosebery at Mandarin Oriental.

I like to associate high tea with something special,  something elevated and maybe even royal. (Thanks to all those marketing gurus). So The Rosebery was a spot that delivered on all of the above and more.

High ceilings, cornices and the color scheme played a big part in that, but the deciding factor was the service. Truly royal service.

Great selection of finger food consisted of two parts. First came the sandwiches and pastries.

They arrived together and where hung “on a tree” beside our table. 

This was my favourite piece – raspberry cream concealed in a merengue  shell and covered up by berries and an edible flower.

Part two: scones and cakes. We were warned that we must leave space for part two, but it is hard to resist. So if part one I was able to justify as “I was hungry”, this part was pure indulgence.

Best thing here – rose jam. I don’t think I have ever tasted a jam that tastes and smells solely like rose. I am not sure it exists anywhere else but here.

SWK top tip for a small waistline – wear tight clothing to prevent yourself from overindulging. Does it work? You bet.

Another tip – drown the food in lotsa tea. It is called High Tea not High Cake after all.

As a chic detail in my otherwise All White look was this embellished organza jacket by Phillip Lim. The embellishment gives it a definite Asian motive and creates a very cosmopolitan image by contrasting it with my eastern european looks and traditional British architecture. 

Do share your high tea experience with me! And don’t forget to follow my Instagram for daily updates.

The Best of Paris Fashion Week Spring 2015 Street Style

Fashion month was a whirlwind of runways, celebrities, models, and jaw dropping designer collections. My favorite part of fashion month? The incredible street style, of course. As fashion folks flock to the fashion capitals (New York, Milan, London and Paris) to catch all the shows, their stellar style goes on full display on the streets. Fashion Week basically serves up heaps and heaps of wardrobe inspiration for all of us to take in. Here are my picks for the best of Paris Fashion Week Spring 2015 Street Style:

Leave it to fashion editor Joanna Hillman to show us the best way to style up a white tee and elevate it to truly epic and memorable street style.  Pants with a slight wide leg and a fringe jacket give this look a subtle yet very present 70s vibe. Trendy necklaces still show off her fashion savvy.

One can’t do a fashion week street style roundup without including  a look with the ubiquitous Chloe rounded crossbody bag. Her boxy and oversized bomber jacket goes together perfectly with 90s pieces like her denim pencil skirt and black leather mules.

Long silhouettes and a large, roomy top handle tote show you that pieces that are high in drama can and do look good when worn all at once. The key is to keep it simple, a long bright red sweater dress with a charcoal gray long cardi are streamlined items that when combined produce an impactful outfit.

A black jumpsuit can look basic and too simple. Give it some accessory flourish with a pair of bright bubblegum pink heels. Toting a striped black and white blazer gives it an even more contemporary and graphic pop.

Fringe, tribal print, and a substantial turtleneck are three microtrends that are encapsulated in this singular item. The colorblock mini bag gives this statement dress some much needed contrast from all the boho details.

The sneaker fashion revolution show no sign of stopping and slowing down this season. Polka dot denim and these chic maroon sneaks certainly improve an otherwise plain gray jumper.

Blanket coats/ponchos are another hot ticket item this fall. Wearing it with casual skinny denim and plimsolls make it look more youthful and appropriate for everyday dressing.

The coquettish lace and ribbons in this feminine frock and its accompanying vintage inspired tote is balanced by tough girl studded footwear.

A knit jumper that is oversized makes a powerful style declaration. Offset the voluminous sweater with sleek details like slinky leather leggings and equally slick leather boots.

No need to retire your love of pink as the season turns into fall. Try your hand at the “tied at the waist” trend and combine it with your penchant for some rosy color.

Classic Stan Smith sneaks go so well with a matching two-piece set. You can’t go wrong with the stylish duo of a cropped sweater and pencil skirt.

Over-the-knee boots are another footwear trend to watch and try. The best way to wear it? Let the boots be the center of attention and wear it with a sophisticated yet simple frock.

The 70s are back in a big way, and this look makes a pretty strong case for it. Denim bell-bottoms with a tucked in polka dot blouse, this is 70s style done right.

Perk up your neutrals by adding tropical prints into the mix. Layer your cropped tops from the summer over your fall closet staples like a crisp and tailored oxford shirt.

All white after Labor Day is not a fashion faux pas anymore. Bending or breaking the rules is the new sartorial standard, the only requirement now is standout style and chicness, and this look definitely achieves that. The coordinating menswear pant and boxy vest in an understated print anchor the white elements of this look effortlessly.

What’s your favorite look from this roundup? Let me know in the comments!

Images from Teen Vogue, PopSugar, and Harper’s Bazaar