I’m Taking a Break From Trends—9 Classic Looks I’ll Be Wearing Instead This Year
While there's no denying the importance of trends in keeping fashion fresh and inventive, it's worth picking and choosing the ones you buy into. In fact, there is something to be said for building a wardrobe which altogether eludes them. If you want your clothing to outlast seasonal tastes, consider a more future-proof approach to shopping, focusing on forever buys over fleeting fads. Personally, I believe there's room for both—in my own wardrobe, I try to keep things timeless, but if a trend particularly excites me, I'll allow myself to try it out in a low-stakes way. If I don't get the wear out of it within a few months, I'll simply flog it on Vinted, pass it on to a friend or hand it over to a charity shop.
Generally, though, I get the most joy out of piecing together a simple, classic look that I know I can re-wear for years to come. And I've found that amongst the hundreds showcasing trend-led looks on Instagram and during Fashion Month, there are plenty who adopt a similar attitude to dressing. In fact, I recently went down a street-style rabbit hole and was pleasantly surprised by how many understated outfits I came across. Fresh from the streets of Paris, Copenhagen and New York, the nine ensembles below are at the top of my list to re-create for the coming season.
9 Classic Street Style Outfits That Are So Easy To Copy:
1. Leather Long Coat + Slouchy Jeans + Mary-Janes
Style Notes: Whether you opt for a pair trousers, a skirt or a blazer, leather is a timeless option that will never go out of style. For 2024 however, fashion people are opting for leather outerwear to updated their classic jean outfits. Add a pair of heeled Mary-Janes for a stylish everyday look.
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2. Suiting + Loafers
Style Notes: Slouchy tailoring is trending big time in 2024, but suiting like this will never date—especially when paired with timeless loafers.
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Easy to transition from day-to-night with a simple shoe change.
3. Trench Coat + Turtleneck + Loose Jeans
Style Notes: It's not uncommon to spot a trench coat outfit in Paris, but this one featuring baggy light-wash jeans feels like a contemporary take on the look.
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I've heard only rave reviews about Uniqlo's merino jumpers.
4. Longline Coat + Maxi Dress + Ballet Flats
Style Notes: When in doubt, look to the Danes for effortless outfit inspiration. Case-in-point: this impeccable maxi slip dress styling. The ballet flats balance out the heavy coat nicely.
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You could also style this over a turtleneck for a more casual feel.
5. Faux Fur Coat + Leather Trousers + Chunky Boots
Style Notes: This look simultaneously feels fresh and familiar. Leather trousers are huge this season, and they look so cool teamed with faux fur and all-weather boots.
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Layer up with a fun print when it's really chilly outside.
6. Wool Coat + White Jeans + Lace-Up Boots
Style Notes: A chic wool coat is a wise investment; on cold days, you can toss it on over any outfit and immediately look put-together.
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A winter wardrobe mainstay that will never not be a good investment.
COS' knitwear collection is a Who What Wear favourite.
Ecru jeans work just as well at this time of year as they do in summer.
7. LBD + Knee-High Boots
Style Notes: If it involves an LBD, it's an instant winner in our books. The combination of the above-the-knee hemline and tall boots is perfection.
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8. Check Blazer + Bright Knit + Tailored Trousers
Style Notes: We'd place money on this check-blazer-tailored-trousers ensemble still being relevant in ten years' time. Possibly even twenty.
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A great pair to throw on in place of your heels.
9. Biker Jacket + Slip Dress + Mary Janes
Style Notes: An easy way to toughen up a pretty dress and Mary Janes combo? Add a timeless biker jacket into the mix, like this Paris Fashion Week attendee.
Shop the Look:
This has a slightly longer length than most biker jackets, which makes it more suitable for the colder months.
Bébhinn Campbell is an Edinburgh-based fashion and lifestyle writer and editor. She started her first blog at age 14 and went on to intern at print and digital publications in Berlin and London, including Dazed & Confused and Indie magazine.
A job at a fashion startup took Bébhinn from Ireland to Scotland in 2019, where she now works as a freelance journalist and copywriter covering everything from travel and interiors to styling advice. As a contributor to Who What Wear, Bébhinn always keeps her eyes peeled for emerging trends and looks worth writing about. She prides herself on her ability to cut through the noise and identify solid investment buys, exciting new brands and fresh takes on classic design.
In her spare time, Bébhinn enjoys perusing Edinburgh’s best vintage shops, working through her out-of-control book collection and watching dog reels on Instagram.
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