What’s Good is a Who What Wear column where senior editor Kristen Nichols shares her latest fashion and beauty finds.
As an editor, I always look forward to fashion month, when I get to see runway shows up close and in person. After several years where designers have been finding their footing throughout the pandemic and a fashion calendar that has been in flux, New York fashion week felt full of energy and excitement that was palpable. Up-and-coming brands like Interior and Sandy Liang stunned with their collections that were full of fresh ideas, while designers including Khaite and Tory Burch debuted some of the most talked-about shows of the season.
Aside from seeing the new collections, I also get excited to put together new outfits to wear to the shows. Every fashion week has its own unofficial dress code—New York being the most casual and Paris the most dressy—so I packed some favorite wardrobe standbys from my closet to adhere to a denim and suiting-heavy week of outfits. Among the pieces in my suitcase were staples including everything from Khaite jeans to Hommegirls button-downs, plus some new pieces like the Christopher Esber dress I ordered recently and have been saving for the occasion. I also feel lucky enough to borrow samples from some of my favorite brands, including Gucci and Savette, so test-drove some of their beautiful new pieces. Ahead, see the New York fashion week outfits this editor wore and shop each of them.
It’s no secret that white tank tops are one of the trends I’ve been eyeing most closely for fall. While I love the straightforward basic, I’m especially gravitating towards the cool designer takes on the trend that were on the F/W 22 runways everywhere from Prada to Bottega Veneta. The Adidas x Gucci collaboration is one of the best takes of the season, so I centered my first look of the week around the top, adding a pair of tailored trousers and strappy flats with my go-to bag and sunglasses.
I practically live in denim, fashion week or not, so added jeans as the starting point for several of my looks. I’m a huge Khaite fan and snapped up their Kendall Jenner-approved Danielle jeans—a style that is worth the hype and investment—and added their beautiful Maddy ribbed sweater. I love pieces that feel timeless and classic, so also added my favorite vintage Prada heels, Celine sunglasses, and the beautiful Savette bag I wore throughout the week that is now topping my personal wish list.
Christopher Esber has been one of my favorite designers ever since I had the chance to see one of his runway shows in person at Australian fashion week a few years ago. His designs feel distinctly ’90s, yet modern, and tap into exactly how I want to dress at this moment. This backless apron-style dress is one of the best pieces I’ve ordered in recent memory.
Another Australian brand I can’t get enough of at the moment? SIR. Their pared-back minimal pieces like this strapless mini dress are so beautifully designed, making them the perfect pieces to slip into for events. Here, I styled the dress with a pair of strappy flats from Ancient Greek Sandals, but would also pair it with heels for a dressier occasion.
Another piece from SIR that made it into my fashion week wardrobe? This stunning black maxi dress, finished with floss straps and a cutout back. I don’t own many pieces that are primed for a formal dress code, but this piece was perfect for one of my evenings out to the Harper’s Bazaar Global Icons Portfolio & Bloomingdales 150th Anniversary Party.
For fashion week this season, I centered my looks around some of my closet hero items, like this Hommegirls button-down shirt and Levi’s ’90s jeans. To add some dimension, I styled the button-down over a white T-shirt, then added a nubby blazer from By Malene Birger. While this look was perfect for a rainy day at NYFW, I would also wear it for any day at the office.
Slouchy jeans are another piece I can’t get enough of right now and Khaite has the perfect take on the trend with their Ian pants. I’m particularly gravitating to this cream shade and paired them with a ’90s-inspired tube top and waist-cinching belt. While I would normally opt for heels, I returned to the flat from Ancient Greek Sandals that I wore on repeat throughout the week.
While heading to re-sees for some of the S/S 22 collections, I opted for this stunning pantsuit from St. Agni. Both the silhouette and linen fabric are more relaxed than some of the sharply tailored styles that were popularized over the last year, making it a great new take on the waistcoat suiting trend that I’ll be wearing more of in the coming season.
