If, like me, when you think of a seasonal wardrobe refresh you immediately imagine piling all of your clothes into bags and starting from scratch, think again. After spending the time to search through some of 2024’s biggest runway and social media trends, I came to the realisation that many are a) pieces that we likely already own, or b) are small new additions that will have a big impact when paired with the pieces in your wardrobe. And what do all of these trends have in common? They have all stepped straight off the runway and onto the streets of Europe.
There’s no need to pack your bags and book an immediate flight to Italy or the South of France, lately stylish Europeans have been filling my feed with the very best street style looks from their countries and providing a source of endless style inspo. Curious as to how French women make jeans feel cool? Wondered how the Scandis are accessorising their minimalist looks? Looking for a practical winter coat with Italian edge? You’ve come to the right place. I’ve rounded up the very best fashion trends that Europeans have already adopted, but you’re about to see everywhere in the UK over the next 12 months.
As to be expected, these chic outfits contain plenty of current trends, classics, and those yet to be discovered, so should you be looking for an easy, cold-weather look that will take you into spring too, these are the ones worth bookmarking. Keep scrolling to see which pieces are ticking our boxes, and shop them for yourself.
Style Notes: The French have a reputation for setting the style agenda, and after decades of relying on the same bouclé jacket + skinny jeans + ballet pumps combination, a new Parisian wardrobe has emerged. Looser, cooler, but equally as effortless, I keep spotting turned-up straight-leg jeans on the streets of France, and I’m more than happy to welcome the return of this 90’s throwback.
Everyone loves these.
You had me at “bum sculpt”.
Just so cool.
Style Notes: Red tights and socks were the micro trend we didn’t see coming, but Scandi street style stars have perfected the look to a tee. Sure, they’re all over Instagram now, but scroll back for the first adopters of the look and you’ll find Copenhagen awash with all-black ensembles punctuated with red tights, and grey layering brought to life with pops of red accessories.
The perfect shade of red.
Turn up your jeans to make the most of this colour pop.
I can’t remember what we wore with black skirts before red tights…
Style Notes: Looking for new ways to wear the biggest shoe trend of the last two years? We’re taking notes from German influencers and editors, who are taking the ladylike shoe to cool new heights. Whether you style them with bold tights, clashing colours or cosy socks, this easy-to-wear shoe is sticking around for another (at least), and I have a feeling they’re going to be incredibly popular during fashion month.
Style Notes: It’s fair to say that over the last two years the fashion world has been divided into two camps: team mini vs team maxi. For those still hotly debating the pros and cons of the two, the midi skirt has now re-entered the chat, and it’s a longer, fuller shape than we’ve seen for years. These romantic A-line skirts are reminiscent of 1950’s Dior, nipped in at the waist and filling out around mid-calf. Who would have thought that this one skirt could be the effortlessly elegant way to make even a plain white tee feel like couture?
This looks so expensive.
I love this skirt and boot pairing.
STOP SCROLLING! This deserves your full attention.
Style Notes: It’s been a chilly old winter, so naturally we would gravitate to cosier, sumptuous fabrics to get us through the extended cold snap. While we stocked up on longline wool coats, the Italians invested in the ultra-thick, ultra-fluffy faux fur coats that they’ve been wearing for generations, and just take a look at @sciuraglam to see how Milan’s most stylish nonnas have influenced the next generation of polished dressers.
Toteme have done it again.
Imagine diving into this.
Now this is a coat I can see myself wearing for a lifetime.
Style Notes: Take a look at the bestselling bags of the year (so far) and you’ll notice a pattern of pared-back, top handle bags that are perfect for the boardroom. No frills, no prints, and certainly no bells or whistles, the Portuguese have cottoned onto the fact that a timeless bag will last a lifetime, and the more minimalist, the better, as the quiet luxury trend continues into accessories. Expect to see plenty of totes, top-handles and shoulder bags from The Row, Little Lifner, Neous and Saint Laurent.
Polished to perfection.
We don’t talk enough about the mini Margaux.
Elevating the crossbody to other worldly levels.
Style Notes: It is now a well acknowledged fact that the shortcut to looking expensive doesn’t have anything to do with the amount of labels you wear at once, but instead comes down to colour styling. Tonal blocking always looks well put together, and especially in versatile neutrals that never go out of style—a case in point, Gosia’s take on winter whites (pictured above).
A true investment piece.
If you’re in need of quality basics and layering pieces, look no further than Ninety Percent.
Wear with leggings, skirts, dresses, tucked in jeans…
Style Notes: Is it me, or has denim been a little samey lately? Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with a reliable pair of blue or black jeans that you can pull on with anything, but if you’re looking for a wardrobe shake up that is anything but boring, take a look at the legs of women in London. Patchwork, embellishment, tears and turn-ups, this season is all about denim that stands out from the crowd and makes jeans the focal point of the outfit, not the supporting role.
These have been so popular on socials.
Fanfare commit to reducing waste by using deadstock, second-hand and technical fabrics to create unique jeans that look good while doing good too.
Just add a white tee and a pair of statement flats.
