From Paris to London: The Spring Outfit Formulas Fashion People Are Wearing Right Now

By
published
in Features
@annelauremais; @poppyalmond; @nlmarilyn; @_livmadeline; @sylviemus_.
(Image credit: @annelauremais; @poppyalmond; @nlmarilyn; @_livmadeline; @sylviemus_)

As someone who gravitates toward a more minimal wardrobe, I love having outfit formulas to come back to. They take the guesswork out of getting dressed, and I know I’ll feel good in whatever I put on since I tend to stick to combinations that are comfortable but still look put-together.

For spring, there are a few I always come back to. One of my favorites is a trench coat with capris and kitten heels or ballet flats. I also love a pointelle set, like a matching knee-length skirt with a tank top or cardigan.

Even though I already have these go-tos, it’s always fun to look through photos for new styling ideas. Sometimes I’ll notice certain pieces showing up across different outfits, which helps me refine my spring shopping list, or I’ll find new ways to wear things I already have in my closet. Below, I’ve put together five outfits inspired by looks I’ve been seeing from people in Paris and London lately.

Trench Coat + Cropped Flares + Kitten Heels

@_livmadeline wearing a trench coat.

(Image credit: @_livmadeline)

Trench coats are a foundational staple and, to me, the coat of spring. I recently got the Provence Coat from Rue Sophie, so I’ve been thinking about different ways to wear it. I like this version paired with cropped flare pants and kitten heels, and I’m also eyeing the High Sport Kick Pant for a more comfortable but still chic option.

Oversize Sunglasses + Knee-Length Skirt + Pumps

@annelauremais wearing a knee-length skirt.

(Image credit: @annelauremais)

I’ve been wearing my Chimi Giada sunglasses every day since I got them, and I’ve also been loving knee-length skirts. I like seeing them styled together with a pointed-toe pump.

Button-Down + Tailored Midi Skirt + Loafers

@nlmarilyn wearing a button down and column skirt with loafers.

(Image credit: @nlmarilyn)

A button-down and tailored midi skirt with loafers feels effortless but still comes across as classic and polished. I like the idea of adding a colored button-down to make it a bit more interesting, and I’m considering Mango’s Wool-Blend Midi Skirt for a similar look.

Dress-Over-Pants

@poppyalmond wearing a dress over pants.

(Image credit: @poppyalmond)

I first started noticing dress-over-pants outfits a couple of springs ago in Brooklyn, and now it feels less like a trend and more like a regular styling choice. It makes any outfit feel a bit more interesting, and since I mostly wear skirts and dresses, it’s an easy way to still wear them when it’s too chilly for bare legs or tights.

Cardigan + Circle Skirt + T-Bar Pumps

@sylviemus_ wearing a cardigan and long skirt.

(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

This outfit pairs a structured cardigan with a circle skirt and T-bar pumps. To recreate it, I thought of J.Crew’s Milano-Stitch Cinched-Waist Cardigan for $48, Reformation’s Gemma Skirt for $189, and the exact shoes in the photo above: Aeyde’s $535 T-bar pumps.

Audry Hiaoui
Associate Shopping Editor

Audry Hiaoui is a writer based in New York. For Who What Wear, she specializes in emerging designers, independent labels, and brand discovery, as well as interviews both on and off camera. Her writing has appeared in AnOther, Wonderland, Office, Interview, Love, and i-D, among others, with multiple cover stories and features in print, and she has worked as an editorial producer for Vogue during fashion months. She holds a master's degree in journalism and documentary filmmaking from City, University of London, and has an extensive background in film, having worked for Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, and Vice UK as well as on various projects including documentaries and music videos and most recently as a writer's assistant on an upcoming HBO/A24 series.