We Went Street Style–Spotting in London—These 9 Outfits Impressed Us
There are no two ways about it. It's officially autumn, and the outfits we spotted on our latest street style session in London certainly reflected that. As the leaves change their colours from vibrant green to a kaleidoscope of red, brown and orange, our wardrobes too have undergone a similar metamorphosis. In lieu of yellow, pink and blue, which were predominant in the summer months, now, the colour palette in the capital boasts a beautiful array of autumnal tones—chocolate brown, rust, khaki—peppered with classic shades of black, ecru and beige, resulting in some expensive-looking outfit combinations along the way.
The day we ventured out was crisp, dry and relatively warm by October standards, which explains the lack of cumbersome coats. Instead, what we found was an array of elevated layered looks and a focus on wardrobe staples paired without a hitch, making for easy ensembles we'd very much like to copy this season. This is the very reason we like to devote a day each month to see the style that lives on our streets—these outfits are more indicative of the current fashion mood than anything else. So if you're looking for new ways to make your style feel fresh this October and autumn, you've come to the right place.
Indeed, we met people with very different aesthetics. Still, there were a handful of trends that kept cropping up. From pleated skirts of varying lengths to the shoe style that dominated, here are the impressive outfits Londoners are wearing in October.
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@MICHAELAEFFORD_PHOTOGRAPHY FOR WHO WHAT WEAR UKStyle Notes: I hate to use the word cool, as it's absolutely overused, but it really is the ideal way to summarise Kyung's ensemble. The lighting designer (again, how cool) has combined high-end pieces, such as a tailored Dior coat and puddle jeans from ACNE Studios, with well-chosen high-street finds, including her on-trend pair of white pointed-toe boots from Zara.
If you want to re-create Kyung's outfit on a budget, this elegant Mango coat is an excellent place to start.
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@MICHAELAEFFORD_PHOTOGRAPHY FOR WHO WHAT WEAR UKStreet Style: If there were ever an outfit that proves just how good thrifted pieces can look together, this is it. Social media manager Laura ensures her pieces, which she picked up in a variety of vintage stores and charity shops, work together by sticking to a cohesive and complementary palette of brown and taupe. Investing in classic pieces, such as a checked blazer, always make for sound investments and are readily available in the second-hand market. Our tip? Always check out the menswear section.
Miaou is a French brand that dominated at fashion month—definitely a label to keep your eye on.
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@MICHAELAEFFORD_PHOTOGRAPHY FOR WHO WHAT WEAR UKStreet Style: If there's one item that feels distinctly on-trend this season, it's the pleated miniskirt. An offshoot of the overarching preppy aesthetic, it was on the runways of Miu Miu, Prada and Coperni, and we've seen it interpreted lots of ways on social media, but Hu's combination of a Balmain tailored blazer, Thom Browne skirt and Dior boots and bag is one of the most elevated yet.
Thom Browne designs keep cropping up on my social media feed right now.
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@MICHAELAEFFORD_PHOTOGRAPHY FOR WHO WHAT WEAR UKStyle Notes: Brand consultant Filipa could give a masterclass on how to look chic with this three-part ensemble. Midi dresses and knee boots go hand-in-hand, providing a simple ensemble you can come back to again and again throughout autumn. The branded Tory Burch tote, however, ensures this look will forever be filed under "high-end."
This bag also comes in a gorgeous khaki colourway as well as a burgundy tone.
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@MICHAELAEFFORD_PHOTOGRAPHY FOR WHO WHAT WEAR UKStyle Notes: What are the chances of bumping into TV presenter Miquita Oliver just days after our very special feature on her impressive wardrobe went live? You couldn't write it. However, catching her off the cuff just stands to prove what an adept dresser she is, whether in front of the camera or not. She tapped into the French aesthetic with a top from Parisian label Musier, and her bootcut jeans and chunky boots give her 'fit further je ne sais quoi.
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@MICHAELAEFFORD_PHOTOGRAPHY FOR WHO WHAT WEAR UKStyle Notes: Have you ever wondered what a luxury retail consultant wears to work? Perhaps not. However, since meeting her on our street style shoot, we're now obsessed by Alexandra's style. While we're sure her wardrobe is filled with an array of impressive designer garms—a hint of which we see by way of her Gucci belt and Isabel Marant bag—her coat, a thing of woven checked beauty, was sourced at a flea market.
Gucci's iconic Marmont belt features in the wardrobes of so many impressive dressers.
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@MICHAELAEFFORD_PHOTOGRAPHY FOR WHO WHAT WEAR UKStyle Notes: If we can discern one thing from our October street style session, it's this: Londoners love vintage just as much as they love Zara. This unlikely sartorial marriage is encapsulated by Alexia, who pairs her sourced striped jacket with a pair of Zara cargo trousers. Finishing her look with some chunky flat boots—another commonality many of these outfits share—she creates an aesthetic that's all her own.
Cargo trousers started trending earlier this year, but they're showing no signs of slowing down.
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@MICHAELAEFFORD_PHOTOGRAPHY FOR WHO WHAT WEAR UKStyle Notes: We'd recognise that Arket cropped trench coat from a mile off, which is essentially what happened when we saw business consultant Eloise's ensemble and practically ran down the street after her. Styling it with a pair of black Zara trousers, H&M boots and a Celine handbag, she showed us a prime example of high/low dressing.
If you're petite and find standard trench coats to be too long, this cropped Arket style is the solution.
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@MICHAELAEFFORD_PHOTOGRAPHY FOR WHO WHAT WEAR UKStyle Notes: Last but certainly not least, we were immediately drawn to designer Mariko's autumnal outfit, which is like a play-by-play of the season's top trends. Contrast leather jacket, check. Pleated skirt, check. Chunky loafers, check. This get-up doesn't miss a beat.
