I've long had a theory that most fashion capitals have a shoe that feels inseparable from its style identity. For London, it's the loafer. For L.A., it's the flip-flop. And for France, it's undoubtedly the ballet flat. No matter what outfit it's worked into or which city I spot it in, a ballet flat look will always carry a French-girl energy in my eyes.

As one of my go-to references for relaxed, French-leaning styling, I'm always eager to see how Alexa Chung will style the ubiquitous shoe. This week, her favourite soft ballet flats made a double appearance, first worn with straight-leg jeans and a T-shirt, and later with the prettiest ankle-length dress.

First spotted in denim, Alexa paired her fitted straight-leg jeans with a simple boxy T-shirt. Had she finished the look with trainers or chunky sandals, the outfit would have felt decidedly casual. Instead, her supple ballet flats lent an understated elegance that elevated the ensemble in a way few other flat shoes could.

Then, within the same weekend, she reached for the very same pair again, this time wearing them with an ankle-grazing dress in the prettiest shade of butter yellow. Where stiffer leather or patent ballet flats can skew prim or preppy, Alexa's soft leather pair brought a relaxed quality that felt decidedly French.

If they're good enough for Alexa to wear on repeat, they're certainly good enough for me. Scroll on to shop the soft ballet flats I'm coveting right now.

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Having written about Alexa Chung's style for the best part of six years, I like to think I have a pretty good grasp of the pieces she's instinctively drawn to and those she's more likely to avoid. For the past few years, I'd have counted camo trousers among the latter. So you can imagine my surprise when I spotted my perennial style icon swapping her signature jeans for the very trend I'd never expected to see her wear.

Typically the epitome of understated dressing, Alexa isn't someone I'd associate with bold prints. Yet, as always, she made the statement-making trousers feel entirely effortless. Tempering the utility-inspired print, she paired them with a simple white cropped top and skipped heavy accessories altogether, finishing the look with sleek ballet flats for an unfussy feel.

Seeing the look on Alexa has convinced me that, if you're looking to inject a little more personality into your wardrobe, swapping your usual jeans for a pair of camo trousers might be one of the easiest ways to do it. Thanks to their muted, earthy palette, they don't feel nearly as intimidating as you might expect. Whilst Alexa opted to style hers with a white top, the forest-green tones would work just as well with chocolate brown, butter yellow and soft shades of pink.

Once again, she's persuaded me to reconsider a trend I'd long overlooked. Read on to shop the best camo trousers to wear now.

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When it comes to fashion, Alexa Chung is always on. The perpetual It girl was recently spotted in New York City's buzzy Lower East Side neighborhood wearing what can only be described as my ideal urban safari outfit in tonal greens. It's a little preppy, a little rugged, and totally polished.

The key component of Chung's look, surprisingly, is a mid-length pair of shorts. They're a refreshing change from the super-short style without wading too deep into Bermuda territory. I'm not quite as leggy as your favorite style stars, so these mid-thigh options can be easily tailored to fit my petite frame.

Obviously, decades on, I'm still feeling the influence of Alexa Chung. So I scoped out a handful of shorts that meet the Goldilocks criteria. Not too short, not too long, just right. Scroll on to shop the selection in an array of fabrics, including classic chino, denim, and linen.

On Alexa Chung: Longchamp shirt and bag.

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If anyone can convince me to get behind a trend, it's Alexa Chung. If any group of fashion people can do the same, it's the French. So when both start moving in the same styling direction, you can bet I'm paying attention. As London settles into another stretch of warm weather, I've found myself inspired by the non-denim shorts trend they're suddenly championing, and I'm seriously considering investing in a pair of boxer shorts this summer.

Fashion's coolest solution to a run of hot days, this lightweight shorts trend isn't far removed from the boxer shorts you'd typically find in a men's underwear drawer. Borrowing the same relaxed silhouette, cropped length and breathable cotton fabrication, they're as practical as they are cool. In fact, ticking so many boxes, it begs the question: why didn't we start wearing these sooner?

A fresh take on the underwear-as-outerwear movement—which has largely centred around slip dresses and corset-inspired tops—the boxer shorts trend delivers the same playful attitude in a way that feels much more relaxed. Borrowed from the boys, it injects a relaxed energy into summer outfits that's perfect for the season ahead.

Proving just how easy they are to elevate, Alexa Chung styled her checked boxer shorts with a white cotton shirt, before finishing the look with tall black peep-toe heels.

Meanwhile, across the Channel, I've noticed some of France's chicest wearing the trend with simple tees and caps for an understated take.

With plenty of summer still ahead of us, this is the shorts trend I'll be relying on for the rest of the season. If you're thinking of giving it a try too, scroll on to shop my edit of the best boxer shorts for women below.

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Knee-length skirts might be dominating the conversation this summer, but after a few weeks of people-watching across London, I'm convinced that there's another skirt trend making its return. Whilst fashion people have happily embraced midi hemlines, the very chicest are also revisiting a classic.

The trend that caught my eye? The denim mini skirt. Putting it back on my radar, I spotted London style icon Alexa Chung swapping a knee-skimming style for a timeless dark-wash denim mini version. After spending the past few seasons on the sidelines, I'm calling this the summer the denim mini finally stages its comeback.

And if anyone can revive a trend, it's Alexa. Styling her dark-wash denim mini with a white button-down shirt and tall bow-embellished heels, she gave the classic piece a cool-girl feel. Evidently easy to dress up, it's just as wearable with a boxy T-shirt and strappy sandals or simple flip-flops.

As with all the best trends, fashion's pendulum always swings back around, and this summer seems to me like the moment the denim miniskirt returns. If you're ready to welcome it back too, keep scrolling to shop my edit of the best denim miniskirts of the season.

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It feels like we’re in a never-ending heatwave here in the UK, and finding warm-weather outfits that both keep me cool and look polished has been a real challenge. Because of this, I’ve been on the hunt for some easy but elegant outfit ideas to see me through until early autumn. And one unexpected place I’ve found some very chic inspiration from is celebrities.

As much as I love the flashy red carpet ensembles and haute couture getups we often see them in, this doesn’t typically translate into wearable everyday looks that can be easily replicated. However, after a quick search, I’ve found that most of my favourite stars' off-duty outfits are comfortable, stylish, and, most importantly, easy to copy. Think relaxed tank tops, pretty dresses and lightweight but sophisticated tailoring—all clever but straightforward styling tricks that will make dressing in the hot weather much easier.

And luckily for you, I’ve rounded up the best of the best below. Keep scrolling to discover the five easy but elegant celebrity outfits I'm recreating in summer 2026.

5 Easy-to-Copy Celebrity Summer Outfits

1. Tank Top + Jeans + Ballet Flats

Style notes: Only Zendaya could make such a basic outfit formula look so chic! When I want to make my jeans warm-weather-appropriate, I'll be following her lead and styling them with a classic white tank and ballet flats.

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2. Midi Dress + Mules + Headscarf

Style notes: It doesn't get more classic than a linen dress in summer, and opting for a black iteration like Alexa Chung has will ensure your outfits look polished and put-together. Finish off the look with a bold-coloured bag and tonal accessories.

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3. Mini Dress + Leather Flats + Bucket Tote

Style notes: It's officially mini dress season, and Emma Watson's floral embroidery iteration styled with chic leather accessories has given me major inspiration of what to wear on casual days around the city this summer.

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4. Linen Suit + Tank Top

Style notes: Linen can often be a bit too relaxed for more formal occasions, so for summer 2026, I'll be taking a cue from Victoria Beckham and opting for tailored silhouettes that feel dressy enough for the office and more formal summer events. Not to mention I adore the contrast of the blue linen with burgundy accessories.

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5. Halter Top + Capri Pants + Flip-Flops

Style notes: Once considered a controversial trouser style, capri pants are back in the forefronts of fashion people's summer outfits. Leading the pack? Lori Harvey, with her chic halter top, capris and heeled flip-flops ensemble.

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In my opinion, Alexa Chung is at her chicest in Paris. So this week, as the style icon descended on the City of Light for a flurry of fashion week appearances, my mood board was refreshed with a healthy dose of styling inspiration. Stepping out for an evening in Paris to celebrate Pandora's collaboration with stylist Harry Lambert, Alexa reached for a timeless wardrobe staple, reminding us exactly why she'll always be the queen of elevated everyday dressing.

Opting for a modern take on the little black dress, Chung chose an elegant design featuring an on-trend halterneck, an asymmetric hem and softly pleated detailing. Then to the shoes, whilst black heels would have been the obvious choice, Alexa sidestepped the predictable in favour of a pair of white heels.

Adding a crisp contrast to her all-black outfit, the white shoes kept it from feeling too heavy for a summer evening event, without relying on bold colours or statement prints.

Perhaps it's because white shoes can scuff so easily, or because they often feel quite stark, but they've never been a style I've instinctively gravitated towards. Still, Alexa's latest look has completely changed my mind.

Styled with chunky silver earrings, a gold arm cuff and a sleek black handbag, the white heels added dimension without distracting from its clean, minimalist aesthetic. In fact, I'm convinced that no other shoe colour could have achieved quite the same effect.

Quite possibly the chicest way I've seen a little black dress styled this season, read on to shop my edit of the best white heels below.

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I’ve always had a soft spot for a pair of "divisive" shoes. Be it a chunky brogue or a Jennifer Lawrence-approved garden clog, if it’s slightly ugly and unapologetically comfortable, I'm all in. Come summer though, the adventurous side of my footwear rotation begins to shift towards practicality. More often than not, the only pair of shoes on my feet is a minimalist pair of flip-flops that look straight out of the ‘90s. For the past few years, they’ve been the undisputed champion of my warm-weather wardrobe, but that was until today. After scrolling through my social media feed, I spotted the ultimate style muse, Alexa Chung, in some footwear I’d previously overlooked until now: jelly shoes.

As much as I’ve appreciated the return of the jelly from afar, I’d never been fully sold. Every time I saw a pair, they still felt a little too much like the dress-up shoes of my childhood rather than an unexpectedly chic footwear choice. But, of course, if anyone could change all that, it would be Alexa. Whilst island-hopping through Greece, she’d seemingly left her flip-flops at home, and in a Pucci-esque minidress and brown bucket hat, her shoe of choice was a clear pair of ankle-grazing jelly shoes.

Referring to them as "skin shoes" in her Instagram caption, they tied her outfit together in a fun way. Lightweight, flexible and breathable, this unconventional shoe lent her look a cooler, more fashion-forward finish that feels less contrived than if the look was finished with a pair of flip-flops.

Since The Row dropped its high-end iteration of jelly shoes during the spring/summer 2024 show, the nostalgic trend has never been more popular, and if the reigning queen of cool is jumping on it, I’m sure it’ll continue to pick up as high summer approaches. Scroll to shop the jelly shoes that might change your mind.

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Yes, track shorts and flip-flops are having a moment right now, but if you're looking for a more timeless summer outfit pairing, this Alexa Chung-approved dress-and-shoe combination will see you through plenty of heatwaves to come.

Spotted enjoying an alfresco evening, Alexa wore a white slip dress with the prettiest pair of white ballet flats. Simple, sophisticated and comfortable, the easy throw-on two-piece makes summer dressing feel fuss-free. Opting for a pair of gleaming white ballet flats, Alexa added a fresh, polished finish that brightened the outfit without the need for bold colours or statement accessories.

Whilst the slinky, lingerie-inspired silhouette brings a sense of glamour, the classic ballet flat grounds the look with a practical and feminine finish. Together, they create an outfit that feels polished without being overdone—and one of the chicest warm-weather combinations I've spotted all season.

If, like me, you're feeling inspired by Alexa's look, keep scrolling to shop the best slip dresses and ballet flats to recreate it below.

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As a fashion journalist, who feels as if she's seen it all, I'm rarely shocked by an outfit choice. This morning, however, as I scrolled through newly released images from last night's Serpentine Summer Party, I was genuinely taken aback. No, it wasn't an obscure haute couture creation that stopped me in my tracks. Instead, it was my long-time style icon, Alexa Chung, wearing the one shoe trend I never expected to see her embrace.

Stepping out beneath London's blazing summer sun, Chung styled a sculptural two-piece by London-based designer Dilara Findikoglu. Rendered in a soft beige hue, the high-neck design featured partially undone buttons that eased its otherwise Victorian-inspired silhouette. Paired with a coordinating knee-grazing skirt, the look felt regal, poised and suited to the elegant occasion. To complete her ensemble, Chung reached for a pair of heels, but rather than the sleek slingbacks I would have expected her to choose, the model and presenter opted for a style I'd have confidently said she'd never wear: PVC heels.

Perhaps because of their long-standing association with looking a little "cheap", transparent heels were far from the first shoe trend I expected to see Chung champion.

Part of the trend's reputation may stem from the fact that PVC is generally less expensive than leather or suede. Yet the material has its advantages. Durable and easy to maintain, a quick wipe is often all it takes to keep the shoes looking fresh. Crafted from clear vinyl, the shoes appear almost invisible on the foot, creating a seamless effect that elongates the legs and allows the outfit to take centre stage. What's more, their barely-there finish creates the illusion of longer legs, making them a surprisingly clever choice for occasion dressing.

Not coming out of nowhere, designers have been experimenting with transparent footwear for several seasons now. Valentino's PVC heels sparked conversation thanks to their clever design, which made the sculptural heel appear almost unattached to the foot. Meanwhile, Alaïa's transparent styles have long been considered a fashion person's favourite.

If anyone can convince me to give a supposedly "cheap" shoe trend a chance, it's Alexa Chung. Scroll on to shop my edit of the best Alexa-inspired PVC heels below.

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Midi skirts are trending right now, and if you're looking for styling inspiration, you've come to the right place. After spotting Alexa Chung wearing the elegant skirt trend on Instagram this week, I couldn't help but notice that, instead of reaching for the flip-flops I'm seeing everywhere right now, the model and presenter opted for a decidedly more French-girl-inspired shoe choice: ballet flats.

Whilst flip-flops continue to dominate this season's trends, for those of us navigating city streets, the idea of commuting through London's less-than-pristine pavements in an open-toe shoe isn't always the most appealing. That's where the ever-chic ballet flat comes in.

Working perfectly with the modest length of a midi skirt, ballet flats lend an effortless polish to the outfit, whilst remaining comfortable enough for all-day wear. To keep the look from feeling too prim, Alexa styled her calf-grazing Reformation skirt with a playful green cap, adding a touch of personality and charm. She then layered on a casually buttoned white shirt, bringing an easy, relaxed energy to the outfit that felt distinctly French in spirit.

Inspired by the chicest flat shoe to wear with midi skirts this summer? Keep scrolling to shop my edit of the best midi skirts and ballet flats below.

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I'm with Alexa Chung on this one. But if you'd told me just a year ago that I'd be swapping my black ballet flats for vibrant purple pairs, I certainly wouldn't have believed you. Oh, how tastes change.

Perhaps influenced by the wave of purple that swept across the runways in February, my stance on the divisive shade—which, until recently, had been decidedly negative—has been steadily softening. And after seeing Alexa style the coolest pair of purple ballet flats, I think I can officially count myself a convert.

Using the punchy hue to elevate her chocolate-brown co-ord, Alexa landed on a colour combination I didn't realise was missing from my wardrobe. Rather than reaching for a predictable black shoe, she opted for a glossy satin pair in a vibrant shade of purple. The lustrous finish amplified the rich purple tone, injecting energy and personality into an otherwise understated outfit whilst still feeling polished and refined.

Long dismissed as one of fashion's trickier shades, purple has rarely been a favourite. Whether it's because the colour can feel challenging to style or because of its strong associations with certain brand identities, it's never enjoyed the same universal appeal as classics such as burgundy, navy or chocolate brown.

Lately, however, designers have embraced the shade, and fashion people are beginning to follow suit. So this summer, I'm on Alexa's side. If you're ready to give the unexpected colour trend a chance, keep scrolling to discover and shop the best purple ballet flats below.

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White shoes are one of the hardest fashion items to style well. I own just one pair because finding shoes that feel elevated instead of tacky or cheap is difficult, which is why I often default to black, tan, burgundy, and brown when it comes to footwear. Recently, though, Alexa Chung introduced a style into her regular early-summer wardrobe, and the way she styled it with dresses, in particular, stuck with me. The look was so easy and cool—nothing like the white-shoe outfits I'm used to seeing. Just like that, she convinced me to give white shoes another go, but only in this silhouette and styled like this with dresses.

The London-based It girl posted a slideshow of photos to her Instagram, and the hero image was a picture of her lounging on an extraordinary leopard-print couch and wearing a knee-length, short-sleeve printed dress with white ballet pumps from Repetto. She finished off the look with sunglasses and a large top-handle bag.

On Alexa Chung: Repetto Camille Ballet Flats ($470)

According to Eugénie Trochu, a Who What Wear editor in residence and the former head of editorial content at Vogue France, white shoes are the perfect twist for every outfit, which is exactly what Chung's pair did for her ensemble. She went with casual ballet pumps that work for any occasion and provide a slight heel without sacrificing comfort, but by choosing white instead of black, she added intrigue to her otherwise simple, understated look.

To mimic her outfit, you'll need a pair of white shoes—ballet pumps or another option, like derby flats, loafers, or kitten heels—and a knee-length dress that's not overly formal. Think a T-shirt dress, simple shift, or boho slip. Keep your accessories to a minimum to avoid overdoing it. Remember: White shoes are the excitement, and adding more will only give your outfit a try-hard feel. Below, find all the pieces you need to copy Chung's outfit this summer.

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Even with tonnes of hair tools such as hot brushes and curling wands at my disposal as a beauty editor, I actually can't stand my hair looking too "done". Don't get me wrong, I love a bouncy blow-dry when the occasion calls for it. But day-to-day, I like my hair to look effortless and undone, like I just so happened to have rolled out of bed with perfectly dishevelled loose waves.

So it's probably unsurprising that Sienna Miller, Alexa Chung and Kate Moss are amongst some of my hair icons for their perfectly undone hairstyling and piece-y waves. Of course, their hair is expertly crafted by top hair stylists, but it just so happens that they're all fans of one particular texturising spray.

Hair by Sam McKnight Cool Girl Texture Mist

Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mist is one of those products that is exactly what it says it is on the can. Created by legendary hairstylist Sam McKnight MBE (who has worked on everyone from Princess Diana to Kate Moss and Sienna Miller), this texturising mist adds the perfect amount of grit to lengths, boosting volume and texture even in the finest of hair. McKnight was inspired by the effortless looks he's created on Kate Moss, and designed this product with her in mind to help us create the same undone looks at home.

In the above video, McKnight uses it on Sienna Miller, flipping her hair upside down and misting through for effortlessly texturised lengths. Alexa Chung also counts herself as a fan, having previously called it "a gig in a can" for her signature dishevelled waves. It's cool-girl hair in a bottle.

I've been using this product for years and can also attest to its brilliance. If I ever find my curls or waves are looking too polished, I like to spritz a little through my lengths and use my fingers to dishevel as I have above. It helps keep curls and waves looking undone whilst enhancing texture and giving root lift when sprayed around the crown. It's also one of the best-smelling hair products I've tried. In fact, I've had compliments on the scent alone.

Whilst it's not strictly a hairspray, it does offer lightweight hold to styles and brushes out easily at the end of the day—zero crunchiness here. Honestly, if you only invest in one hair product, make it this one. It also comes in a handy handbag-sized travel bottle, which is perfect for top-ups on the go. McKnight, thank you for your service.

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What do you wear in London when temperatures hover around 20°C? Whilst boots now feel a little too heavy, open-toe styles can still seem premature. Fortunately, Alexa Chung just stepped out with the solution—and it's one French women have been relying on for years.

Stepping out in a pair of blue straight-leg jeans and low-heeled ballet pumps, Chung mastered the art of easy city styling dressing. Paired with a light cream jacket and finished with an animal-print bag, her jeans and shoe outfit was perfectly primed for off-duty city days.

Building on the ballet flats trend, the emerging heeled ballet pump trend offers the same elegance with a slightly more elevated finish. The low block heel brings subtle height and sophistication, making casual outfits feel more considered.

Capturing the relaxed refinement that defines French-inspired dressing, this comfortable yet chic shoe trend is set to become a key player in any early-summer wardrobe.

Inspired by Chung's look? Scroll on to discover the best heeled ballet pumps to shop now.

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The warm-weather season is just beginning, but one thing is already certain: Bermuda shorts are dominating. Bloomers, track shorts, and board shorts are popular options, but if you want to look like an elegant, experienced, and inherently stylish fashion person, Bermudas are the answer. Just ask style icon Alexa Chung, who recently wore a pair while on vacation.

After returning from a trip to Florence with the brand Khaite, Chung took to Instagram to post a few photos. In one, she wore a Bermuda-shorts outfit consisting of Khaite's Auggie Shorts paired with its ruched camisole. For accessories, Chung didn't come to play, styling the look with embellished René Caovilla heels and a mini chain-strap Khaite bag.

On Alexa Chung: Khaite Inara Top ($1680) and Auggie Shorts ($1680); René Caovilla Chandelier Sandals ($1530)

While pairing a simple tank with Bermuda shorts would look good, styling the shorts with a ruched top creates a much more modern and cool aesthetic. The texture and gathered detail inject depth, interest, and flair, which something like a white tank top lacks. This detailing also makes Bermuda shorts look relaxed and street style ready instead of dated or businesslike.

Whether your style is similar to Chung's or not, this is a fail-proof and versatile outfit formula for summer. Scroll to shop Chung's designer outfit, plus more Bermuda shorts and ruched tops to re-create her look for less.

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The oldest trick in the outfit book was expertly put on display by Alexa Chung in the South of France last week: The easiest way to make an outfit more interesting is to wear a pair of interesting or even trendy shoes. In a series of photos posted to her Instagram feed post-trip to Cannes, Chung was wearing a black slip dress with a red car coat in some of them. It was a great outfit in and of itself, but the highly specific shoe trend she opted to wear, high-heel animal-print thong sandals, made it an excellent outfit.

Chung's exact shoes were the Alaïa Tong Mules, an It style that you can barely find in stock anywhere—as is the case with many high-heel animal-print thong sandals. As we all know quite well, flip-flops of every type continue to be a major summer shoe trend, and the pairing of flip-flops with animal print makes them even more covetable. Keep scrolling to see Chung's expert example for yourself and shop an assortment of chic high-heel animal-print thong sandals that are miraculously still in stock.

The Shoe Trend Spotted on Alexa Chung

On Alexa Chung: Alaïa Tong Mules ($1350); Louis Vuitton bag

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As the sun sets on another year of the Cannes Film Festival, I can’t help but reminisce on some the looks we’ve been blessed with on and off the red carpet. From Bella Hadid’s Jane Birkin-inspired ensemble, to the Monegasque-local Kelly Rutherford's prim pencil skirt, the last two weeks have been a treat for fashion people everywhere who are inspired by Riviera style. Never one to miss out on two weeks in the Côte d'Azur, Alexa Chung's most recent Instagram dump summarised her last two weeks on Cannes ’ balmy shores, but it was the last image in her recap that got my full attention. Her festival downtime look? A pair of sleek heeled ballet flats with a structured knee-length midi skirt.

This inherently French-feeling ensemble manages to combine the now-trending knee-grazing skirt with a sleek, wearable, heeled ballet flat in a chic and easy look that is easily replicated. Adding texture with a fine-knit jumper, and pop of colour through her tee and paisley print headscarf, her look was all Alexa's own her signature, laidback charm. But, it's the combo of the heels and skirt which really got me thinking. All over France, chic girls have been wearing the same combination over the spring, and Alexa just proved it's a look here to stay come summer.

After recently spotting the combo styled with billowing blouses, singlet tank tops (like Salome Mory above) and loose linen shirts. In each iteration the combo feels both fresh yet timeless, styled yet carefree. With the temperature continuing to increase, the pairing feels like a fail-safe way to shift your summer staples into a fashion-forward mood. Scroll to shop the heeled ballet flat mid skirt trend below.

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Yes, leopard print is still trending for summer 2026, but rather than going head-to-toe in the feline design, the coolest dressers are giving the enduring print a much more wearable, summer-ready feel this time around.

Case in point: Alexa Chung, who stepped out in sunny Cannes this week, making leopard print feel surprisingly fresh. Instead of reaching for the leopard-print minidresses that dominated a few summers ago, she took a more understated approach, slipping into a pair of leopard-print heeled flip-flops.

Styled with a knee-grazing pencil skirt and balanced out with a simple long-sleeve tee, Chung’s look felt easy yet polished, whilst the thoughtful shoe choice elevated the entire ensemble.

Now that summer has finally settled in and temperatures are steadily climbing, I have a feeling leopard-print sandals will become the sandal fashion people reach for on repeat. If you’re keen to get ahead of the curve, keep scrolling to shop the leopard-print sandals I’m recommending this season below.

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Whoever decided that jeans aren't a dressing option for long flights got it all wrong. Sure, some pairs aren't designed for sitting. We've all owned them and probably gotten a stomach ache as a result, but that shouldn't turn you off of wearing looser alternatives for flying. Actually, as someone with over 300,000 Delta miles at the moment, I prefer to wear jeans to the airport. Rather, I prefer to wear relaxed jeans to the airport, and I'm not the only one. Alexa Chung and her boyfriend, Tom Sturridge, are supporters of the travel-jeans movement as well. It's true. I just saw photos of them both at the Cannes Airport wearing them with matching patent-leather flats—him in loafers and her choosing ballet flats from Repetto.

The result? Easy, comfortable outfits for short and long flights that, yes, include jeans. Both Chung and Sturridge opted for similarly washed, relaxed jeans, likely vintage from Levi's or a similar denim brand. What makes this denim option perfect for flying is all in the name. It's not overly stiff or tight and doesn't cut into your skin with every step. It's subtly loose, and the fabric is soft from wear, be it genuine or manufactured. Plus, jeans are more substantial than, say, leggings or yoga pants, so they make you feel more covered and take up more space in luggage. By wearing them on the plane, you'll end up with room to pack that extra dress, jacket, or skirt. Now that I think about it, people who wear relaxed jeans at the airport win no matter how you look at it.

On Alexa Chung: Repetto Cendrillon Ballet Flats ($425)

With her pair, Chung added a sporty windbreaker layered over a gray hoodie, and for shoes, she wore black socks with patent-leather ballet flats—another airport hack. (Never get caught in the security line without some foot protection in case they still ask you to remove your shoes!) Specifically, the material she chose for her footwear stood out, especially against the casual nature of the rest of her airport outfit. It automatically gave the look a bit of formality, creating a balancing effect.

In other words, everything about the travel ensemble just worked. That's why I'll be following Chung's lead by pairing relaxed jeans with ballet flats and socks when I get dressed to board a flight of my own tomorrow morning. Get the look for yourself below.

Alexa Chung's Cannes Airport Jeans Outfit

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As a Gen Zer who loves a nostalgic trend, I'm really into the millennial-coded T-shirt trend that fashion people and celebrities are into. We've all probably worn it here and there over the years. It's laid-back and sometimes funny if you let it be, and it can be really cool when styled right. I'm talking about graphic T-shirts. They have seemingly come out of nowhere, with celebs Bella Hadid and Jennifer Lawrence and style connoisseurs Alexa Chung and Gabriella Karefa-Johnson sporting it while out and about.

Influencers from NYC to L.A. have also been wearing graphic tees in interesting ways. They are styling them with sheer skirts and flip-flops, long shorts and sneakers, or miniskirts and heels. It's refreshing to see the fashion set styling a not-so-serious trend and making it look cool and chic in their own way. If you're looking for ways to make your graphic tees look more stylish or are on the hunt for a cool graphic tee, keep scrolling for outfit inspiration and to shop fun and fashionable graphic tees that fit your personal style.

Style Tip: Make your laid-back outfit feel bold by adding printed pants and charms on your shoulder bag.

Style Tip: Be bold with your graphic tee and accessories, and keep your bottoms simple.

Style Tip: Keep it casual but chic by styling your graphic tee with a sheer printed skirt and flip-flops.

Style Tip: Style your graphic tee with a pair of classic blue jeans and sneakers.

Style Tip: On chilly spring days, just throw a trench over your laid-back outfit to dress it up.

If you've been a longtime Alexa Chung fan, you may remember a pair of shoes she wore constantly during what some refer to as the “indie-twee era”: Carel’s Kina. All these years later, Olivia Rodrigo was recently been seen wearing a pair too.

Interested in learning more about the brand’s history, I started reading up on it. Carel began in 1947, when Georges and Rosa Carel opened their first women’s shoe boutique in Paris. Their goal was to create shoes that were both comfortable and elegant, favoring an under-two-inch “trotter” heel, which feels incredibly me.

In 1974, the Marquis was released—a flat-heeled ballerina shoe decorated with a bow, reminiscent of an opera slipper. As the line continued to grow, it began gaining celebrity fans, including actress Isabelle Huppert. Then, in 2010, the iconic triple-strap, 1.6-inch-heel Kina finally came into play. Today, the enduring silhouette is still a best seller and has continued to diversify its designs.

I ended up trying the Carlotta, and as soon as I put them on, I literally said these exact words out loud to my partner: “These are beautiful, gorgeous, and perfect.” They truly feel like the ideal shoe. I was genuinely surprised by how impeccably soft and comfortable the leather was, which the label describes as feeling like “a second skin.” And the shape feels especially feminine and chic.

Other pairs that caught my attention include two especially showstopping, vacation-y new arrivals: the Acai heels and Piscine sandals, both adorned with tropical flower appliqués—a popular trend for spring/summer 2026. More in line with my personal style are the Emilie and Princesse, along with my absolute dream fall boot, the Starter boots.

Below, shop the cult-favorite French shoes directly on its website as well as retailers Farfetch and Bergdorf Goodman.

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Sure, denim capri pants might not sound like the most likely jeans trend to make a mainstream comeback, but if the runways and celebrity style set are anything to go by—and they usually are—then it might be time to ready your wardrobe.

I first started paying attention to the trend a few months ago, after spotting Alexa Chung step out in a head-to-toe Chloé look featuring a pair of knee-grazing denim capris. Capri trousers have, of course, been gaining momentum for a few summers now, with tailored styles and slim pedal pushers steadily finding their way back into fashion circles. But now that the trend feels more established, designers are starting to take things a step further.

By reworking the controversial silhouette in denim, brands have managed to make the trend feel all the more wearable.

The look resurfaced once again in New York this week, this time on Molly Gordon, who wore the exact same pair from Chloé’s collection. Styled with a sculptural peplum jacket and sharp pointed-toe heels, the actor made a compelling case for the throw-back trend.

With celebrity endorsements mounting up and new iterations landing across designer collections and the high street right now, I have a feeling it won’t be long before denim capris properly enter the mainstream once again. Until then, read on to shop the styles I’m recommending right now.

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After the controversial chartreuse shade stormed the spring/summer 2026 runways, it should come as no surprise that the colour would once again rear its head for fashion’s night of nights, the Met Gala. Utterly polarising with a piquant tone that’s not quite a brat green nor a balmy yellow, this hybrid shade saturated the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art as guests made their arrival.

The first appearance of the evening came from Alexa Chung, who traded in her signature stovepipe jeans and twee knitwear for a daring Dior dress designed by Northern Irish creative director Jonathan Anderson.

The custom look continued the dialogue presented in the French maison’s autumn/winter 2026 collection, which Chung sat in the first row for as it was unveiled on an uncharacteristically scintillating February day in the Tuileries Garden. With a square-neckline, plunging slit and protruding botanical motif, the silhouette was a clear homage to both craftsmanship and Claude Monet’s magnum opus Water Lilies series, which couldn’t be more fitting for the dress code “Fashion Is Art”.

Later, the striking shade made another appearance in the burgeoning actress, Sarah Pidgeon. After becoming a household name for her performance as Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, the Love Story breakout star continued to embrace the codes of ‘90s minimalism that her character was so revered for. However, marking a firm schism in this form of method dressing, the 29-year-old arrived at the event in a chartreuse two-piece set designed by Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez for Loewe.

Again, this look is a bespoke version of a look presented on the runway that Pidgeon was privy to after attending the brand’s show back in February. Though it could be argued that this look nods to the iconic Donna Karen green set worn by Gwyneth Paltrow in Great Expectations, this slightly acidic version feels far more contemporary and cool.

In saying that, a key part of both Dior and Loewe’s brand philosophy is the importance of artistry and innovation within the boundaries of materiality, so it’s also no surprise to see these houses be some of the first to adopt this bold colour. (Of course, that’s not to mention the shared history of Anderson at the helm.) Elsewhere, Belgian fashion designer Pieter Mulier presented a series of asymmetrical chartreuse skirts for his penultimate collection at Alaïa. In Milan, Mrs Prada unveiled her interpretation of uniform dressing with chartreuse accents that covered boilersuits, puffed skirts and bralettes.

Of course, the sartorially aware amongst us know that chartreuse has always been a maligned colour that has sat on the fringes of the mainstream, only to be adopted by the most daring dressers amongst us. From Nicole Kidman wearing a John Galliano for Dior chartreuse chinoiserie gown to the 1997 Oscars to Zoë Kravitz wearing the shade to a Hollywood event earlier this year, this proactive shade continues to be exactly that.

Shop the Chartreuse Colour Trend, as Seen on the 2026 Met Gala

Of course, fashion people are still wearing cotton dresses and voluminous white skirts, but I have started to notice that a subset of the very chicest are welcoming a supremely pretty minidress into their warm-weather rotations this season.

Tipping me off, I spotted London It girl Alexa Chung swapping the cotton equivalent for the significantly more elegant satin dress trend. Wearing a milky-coloured Doen Junia dress (£485) adorned with the prettiest lace-trim design, Alexa set the scene for the lace minidress trend to permeate fashion crowds.

Inherently elegant, the glossy satin finish lends your styling a luminous quality that feels perfectly at home in sun-drenched settings, whilst the lace-trim in Alexa's design adds a romantic, vintage-inspired layer. Styling hers with colourful heels—Alexa picked hers up in the prettiest shade of pale pink—this trend would also look invariably elegant with a simple mary jane or low-key ballerina.

As effortless to slip on as your go-to cotton mini, unsurprisingly, both high-street and designer brands are already embracing the silhouette. Scroll on for my edit of the very best lace-trim minidresses to shop now.

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I've been a Who What Wear editor for 12 years, and I'm pretty sure that's how long I've been writing about Alexa Chung's T-shirt outfits. She's basically a T-shirt-outfit icon, and the one she just wore in Milan proves exactly why. It involves both a major 2026 T-shirt trend and a T-shirt styling trend.

Chung traveled to Italy for Milan Design Week and was photographed at yesterday's Miu Miu Literary Club event. For the occasion, she chose a casual, effortlessly cool outfit consisting of a brown suede Miu Miu jacket, baggy jeans, and black ballet flats, but it was what she wore underneath the jacket that caught my attention. The T-shirt trend I'm referring to is a colorful tee (in this case, bright yellow) instead of a white one. And the styling trend I'm referring to is the colorful tee layered under a sweater. A sweater in any color would work, but tees in a bright hue look especially cool against steely gray.

Keep scrolling to see for yourself and to shop Chung's look along with a handful of cool tees in bold colors to wear under your gray sweater.

The T-Shirt Outfit on Alexa Chung

On Alexa Chung: Miu Miu jacket and Wander Matelassé Nappa Leather Hobo Bag ($2950)

A Closer Look

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From London to New York, the It girls are rethinking the parameters of spring dress, and the eponymous slip dress is no longer at the centre of it. For spring/summer 2026, the mood is shifting away from slinky, barely-there silhouettes towards a frothy, feminine shape that’s primed to be everywhere soon.

Suddenly a fashion person's favourite, the apron dress trend has already been embraced by some of the industry’s most influential names. Alexa Chung, for instance, stepped out at a Miu Miu event in Milan this week wearing a floral-embellished apron dress, complete with ruffled sleeves and an open-back finish. True to form, she kept the styling simple, adding a crisp white Miu Miu bag and finishing with tan strappy sandals.

Building on the momentum, Chloë Sevigny was spotted reworking the trend, layering Miu Miu’s leather apron dress over knitwear and jeans, topped with a boxy leather jacket. Not a one-note piece, Chloë's styling proves the surprising versatility of the emerging trend.

On the red carpet, Emma Corrin gave the look a directional spin in a frill-adorned floral apron layered over a simple white tee and tailored grey trousers. Worn over basics, it instantly adds interest to everyday dressing with a distinctly 2026 sensibility; styled solo, it retains an easy, romantic charm.

Unexpected yet inherently compelling, the apron dress is shaping up to be one of the season’s most interesting shifts. Consider this your cue to get ahead—because if its current trajectory is anything to go by, this is one trend that won’t stay under the radar for long.

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The coolest jeans you can wear right now? Well, who am I to argue with Alexa Chung and Jennifer Lawrence? Both swapping the slouchy leggings that are doing the rounds this season for a sharper pair of on-trend denim, I spotted Alexa and JLaw step out in matching straight-leg jeans this week.

Putting a springtime spin on their mid-wash jeans, Alexa swapped the chunkier boots she's been wearing throughout the winter months for something no less smart, but significantly lighter. Slipping into a pair of polished leather loafers in an inky shade of black, Alexa wove a polished, pull-together element into her weekend look. Layering from there, Alexa slipped into a waisted leather jacket, tapping into another spring trend set to soar this month.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Lawrence wore her pair a little lower on the hips, as her jeans skimmed the leg for a relaxed shape. Veering casual with her styling, she wore her jeans with white and red Adidas Tokyo trainers. Echoing the accent on the shoes, a cosy red cardigan brought warmth and vibrancy into her otherwise laid-back look, keeping things feeling relaxed but far from boring.

The chicest way to wear denim right now, straight-leg jeans are quickly becoming the most relevant denim silhouette of the season. If you’re ready to follow suit, scroll on to discover the chicest straight-leg jeans to shop and wear now.

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I don't know about you, but I'm very interested in the shopping habits of influential people, from athletes to models. Unfortunately, they rarely divulge every little thing they're eyeing and buying (at least not to me). Well, most of them don't. Alexa Chung threw me a bone this week, quietly dropping a link to her spring 2026 wish list on Shop My. When I clicked in to explore, the expected happened: Everything was new, cool, and ready to be purchased, so naturally, I obliged. From lace-trim Dôen dresses and raglan tees to the Prada bag I've already tried on in store on three different occasions—the best of spring 2026 has clearly been hiding in Alexa Chung's Shop My feed. And yes, I'm sharing my findings.

The spring finds below are very It girl coded and low-key but still have a touch of polish and sophistication. Think sleek leather footwear paired with tailored minidresses, timeless French flats styled with poplin frocks, and forever Burberry trenches to wear with on-trend rompers. Cerulean Adidas Japan sneakers, classic bikinis, and $128 chinos that look like a $1000+ pair round out the bunch. Ready to start shopping? Keep scrolling.

Shop Alexa Chung's Spring 2026 Shop My Wish List

When it comes to travelling, I always find myself subconsciously influenced by the style of the local set of whatever destination I’m visiting. Yet, when it comes to visiting Paris, I constantly feel like the stakes of what I pack to wear whilst I’m away are inevitably higher when compared to other fashion capitals.

Blame that on the fact that the French have a reputation for being quite particular, or that the personal wardrobes of those who reside in the City of Lights are heralded as the acme of chic, but without fail, I notice myself adhering to specific modes that are in keeping with the sartorial milieu. And it appears I’m not alone in this, with Alexa Chung recently proving she, too, sticks to this one very fundamental styling rule whenever she’s in town.

Taking to Instagram to share a carousel of her off-duty outfits from Paris Fashion Week, the model and ultimate fashion muse revealed that she follows suit in ditching trainers for a more graceful flat shoe when wearing jeans.

It’s a rare sighting to see a Parisienne in sportier silhouettes, let alone wearing this athletic footwear staple with sleek denim. So, when I saw Alexa don a pair of brown loafers to compliment her light blue jeans, I let out a sigh of relief in knowing that I wasn’t the only one who slightly adjusted their dress sense for this setting.

The look itself consisted of wardrobe basics you’d find in any well-edited wardrobe, including a longline trench coat, sumptuous cardigan and crisp white t-shirt. However, given this is Alexa we’re talking about, there was always going to be one subtle point of difference that made this ensemble extra covetable. For this occasion, this came down to the colours she rendered these staples in.

Whilst her shoes look like any pair of trending gathered loafers, they were actually a rich-looking chocolate brown colour, which gave her outfit an innate sense of nostalgia and ease, courtesy of this lived-in shade. The same goes for the wash of jeans she chose. Though Parisians have been wearing darker shades recently, the 42-year-old opted for a lighter colour, which evoked a sense of brightness and effortlessness.

With spring officially here, I’d even contend that this exact silhouette will be spotted all over, from the top of Montmartre all the way down to Le Marais. And as with anything in fashion, where the French go—or in this case, a Londoner in Paris—the rest of us follow. So, it will be only a matter of time before this precise formula begins cropping up across Britain. Get a head start on the trend, and shop the best light blue jeans and brown loafers below.

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It's been over three months since I first laid eyes on Alexa Chung wearing a butter-yellow jacquard opera coat as a dress to a Christmas dinner in London hosted by musician and producer Mike Skinner. The silk-taffeta coat had a cocoon-like shape similar to popular styles in the early 1900s, as well as a fur collar and cuffs, which Bulgarian designer Viktor Gichev, who works at One of a Kind vintage archive in London's Portobello Market, crafted using repurposed mink. It also featured a frog closure, or pankou, which are braided knots that stem from China's Tang and Song Dynasties and are traditionally found on cheongsam garments, and tassel embellishment.

I haven't stopped thinking about it since. It's been no help that most of those three months have been spent spotting similar ornate, silk coats with fur trim, on other It girls, including Margot Robbie during the Wuthering Heights tour, Kate Moss outside of the Ritz Paris, Tish Weinstock on the catwalk at the Conner Ives show during London Fashion Week, and now, on Zoë Kravitz, hand-in-hand with Harry Styles after his stint hosting Saturday Night Live last weekend. I'm guilty of forgetting the magic of fashion sometimes, whilst in the midst of it 24/7, but when you see pieces like these, it's impossible not to be filled with awe.

Gichev's designs, which are all made-to-order, have become the talk of many fashion circles, with comments of appreciation arriving under his posts from names like Camille Charriere and Adwoa Aboah. He makes them in his free time, designing Paul Poiret–esque pieces out of repurposed fabrics, like ornate curtains and more. In an interview with British Vogue, he described his practice of "letting the fabric talk."

Essentially, instead of conceptualizing a garment and then sourcing materials, he finds his antique fabrics first and lets them dictate the shape they'll be crafted into. It's this method that's responsible for the unique shape and bespoke nature of Chung's coat.

On Alexa Chung: Viktor Gichev coat

It's no wonder that this outerwear style is appearing everywhere right now—it's proven to be perfect for the confusing winter-to-spring transitional season we're currently living in. The silhouette is similar to an Afghan coat (later nicknamed a Penny Lane coat after it was featured on Kate Hudson's character of the same name in Almost Famous, circa 2000), but far more lightweight and delicate, since it's made of antique silk, as opposed to warm sheepskin like the sort that originated in Ghazni, Afghanistan in the early 20th century. What this modern interpretation lacks in practicality, though, it makes up for with artful aesthetics and unexpected versatility, with wearers styling their versions with everything from denim to gowns.

Arguably the most notable designer of today's silk coats is Conner Ives, a fellow London-based creative with high-profile friends. Moss, Weinstock, and Kravitz's lavish top layers have all come from Ives, who was born and raised in New York but moved to the UK to study at Central Saint Martins. Charriere has also posted photos wearing one of his designs, and Jennifer Lawrence wore one on the red carpet at the end of last year with a custom Armani Privé gown during her press tour for Die My Love. His designs are simultaneously everywhere and nowhere—forever discussed among stylish people, but never overexposed due to the handmade nature of his designs.

Tish Weinstock walking in the F/W 26 Conner Ives show.

Ives' fall/winter 2026 show opened with Weinstock wearing a yellow, demi couture silk tapestry coat that, according to an Instagram post by the designer, was created using large, hand-embroidered silk tapestries dating back to the Qing Dynasty, which took place between 1644 and 1911 in China, marking a period of prolific cultural and artistic achievements, according to the National Museum of Asian Art. Motifs from these preserved tapestries were cut out and hand-appliquéd onto the silhouette's silk crepe satin base to create the resulting outerwear. "A mind-numbing amount of work realized by a team that feels as passionate about craft as I do," Ives wrote. "All made locally in London."

The most recent sighting was of Kravitz, who wore a light-blue, short version with a sheer slip and vintage Manolo Blahnik sandals (sourced from The Vintage Marché). Her coat was custom-made and crafted with faux shearling derived from a wool-and-recycled polyester that Ives had on hand as dead stock from previous production. The look immediately went viral, and not only because she and Styles are one of the buzziest couples of the moment. Her coat was the star of the show, which also says a lot given that Styles had on a leopard-print Chanel jacket by Matthieu Blazy, one of the most talked-about designers in all of fashion this year. Kravitz's look was, of course, styled by her longtime stylist Danielle Goldberg.

On Zoë Kravitz: Conner Ives coat; vintage Manolo Blahnik shoes

This coat's appeal? The richness of its craft and appearance. With the price of clothing rising every day, when we invest, we want our purchases to still feel worthy of the high cost, and coats like this (whether you purchase one new from Ives or Gichev, or go the secondhand route, sourcing John Galliano–era Dior or vintage Sue Wong from eBay) will always be a good investment. So much care and time went into making them into one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art and future (or current) heirlooms. Of course, they'd be appreciated by the people who love fashion most.

Keep scrolling to shop the best versions available right now, old and new.

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Sightings

On Kate Moss: Conner Ives Fox Fur-Trimmed Silk Robe Jacket ($9200)

Valentino haute couture 2026

On Jennifer Lawrence: Custom Armani Privé dress; Conner Ives Fox Fur-Trimmed Silk Robe Jacket ($9200); Hunting Season The Lola Bag ($595); Aquazzura sandals

Get the look: Afghan coat + graphic T-shirt + dark-wash jeans + mini bag

On Margot Robbie: Archival John Galliano spring/summer 1992 coat; Manolo Blahnik shoes; Jessica McCormack jewelry; Jacques Marie Mage sunglasses

Styled by: Andrew Mukamal

Get the look: Silk coat with fur trim + leopard-print knee-high boots

Valentino fall/winter 2026

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Alexa Chung is stylish year-round, but I have to say, when she touches down for Paris Fashion Week, her outfits seem to reach their peak. Attending the Chloé A/W '26 runway show this week, Chung skipped over last spring’s favourite shade of butter yellow and instead stepped out in the prettiest wash of pink.

Opting for a lighter shade with a soft peach undertone, Chung tapped into one of the chicest ways to wear the sugary shade right now. Her gently draped dress, which fell just to the knee, featured contrast white lace trims and a delicate bow embellishment, adding a romantic, vintage feel to the summery dress. Styled with light beige heels, the outfit felt fresh, polished and spring-ready, and inspired me to rethink my own spring palette.

Attending the same show, Olivia Rodrigo stepped out in the very same peachy-pink tone, doubling down on the shade that’s quickly emerging as one to watch for the season ahead.

Unlike butter yellow—which, whilst joyful, can feel a touch too bright for those with a more pared-back approach to summer dressing—this softer pink reads more like a neutral. Its muted peach undertone makes it far easier to weave into an everyday wardrobe. It works beautifully worn head-to-toe in tonal layers, but looks equally chic styled with blue denim or rich grey shades for contrast.

While last year’s spring palette leaned a little more vibrant, I have a feeling it will be this more grown-up take on pink that truly takes off this season.

If you’re as inspired by the shade as I am, keep scrolling to shop a chic peach-pink edit below.

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I’m calling it: it’s time to tuck away your boots and welcome strappy sandals back into the fold. The sun is finally out, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with a footwear refresh. Right on time, Alexa Chung already delivered the summer shoe inspiration I’ll be weaving into my own rotation from here on out.

Encouraging me to style my jeans with something a little more interesting than the usual boots or trainers, Chung stepped out in straight-leg denim teamed with the prettiest heeled sandals.

Despite leaning into the odd element of embellishment, Chung’s look remained characteristically unfussy and chic. She layered an ornate jacket, decorated with intricate bird and floral motifs, over the outfit, the hem grazing her knees and revealing a mid-wash pair of stovepipe jeans beneath. Peeking out below? A pair of lilac heeled sandals in a trending mule cut. Whilst the mule finish brought a lightness to her denim outfit, the lilac shade nodded to the colour trend set to take off this season, the combination of which made her denim outfit feel impossibly chic.

While ballet flats and Mary Janes dominated last year’s street style scene, Chung’s heeled mules felt like a slightly more elevated alternative. She finished the outfit with oversized statement earrings and a black leather bag tucked into the crook of her arm.

A little more dressy, but just as easy to style, these shoes will be my go-to denim pairing now that the weather is on side. If you're inspired, too, read on to discover and shop the chicest straight-leg jeans and heeled sandals below.

Shop Straight-Leg Jeans + Heeled Sandals:

As a millennial myself, Alexa Chung will always have a special place in my heart and be the ultimate style icon of our generation. She continues to wear highly relatable, incredibly chic outfits that I and many others draw inspiration from. While attending London Fashion Week events a few days ago, Chung was photographed wearing a pant style millennials, in particular, love: utility pants—specifically, utility pants in army green. I, for one, and many of my fellow millennials have worn the basic off and on for, well, decades at this point.

One could say that army green utility pants can look dated when styled certain ways, but Chung just showed that it's possible to make them look modern and forward in 2026. She did so partly thanks to the shoe trend she chose to pair with them: metallic kitten-heel sandals. They may not be the obvious choice (especially in metallic pink) for wearing with utility pants, but as the wrong-shoe theory goes, that's what makes it cool.

Scroll on to see Chung's recent look for yourself and to shop similar pants and shoes to add to your 2026 wardrobe.

On Alexa Chung: Burberry Mid-Length Camden Heritage Car Coat ($2295)

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If anyone actually understands what Londoners want to wear, it’s Alexa Chung. Arriving in central London for the hotly anticipated Simone Rocha show, the model and enduring style icon stepped out in a chic two-piece look I expect to see replicated across the capital come March.

Sidestepping the prim, sharply tailored pieces that have dominated for seasons, Chung opted for something altogether more relaxed. For her front-row appearance, she shrugged on a billowy, sport-inflected windbreaker from the forthcoming Simone Rocha x Adidas collaboration. With a retro cut and easy funnel neck, the jacket nodded to the enduring track-top revival without feeling overly styled.

Balancing the sporty top layer, Chung grounded the look with slinky satin shorts, trimmed delicately with lace. Finished with sleek pointed-toe heels from Miu Miu, the heels complemented the prettiness of the lace, elevating what might otherwise read casual into something altogether more considered.

Londoners have long had a penchant for sporty silhouettes, but styled with lace-trim shorts—another trend quietly gathering momentum—this pairing feels newly relevant. Expect to see that subtle interplay of athletic and romantic cropping up across London before long.

Ever inspired by Chung’s approach to dressing, scroll on to shop the best windbreakers and lace-trim shorts to try the look for yourself.

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Unless you spent last summer under a rock, you’ll remember the impression that the butter yellow colour trend made on the season. Soft, saccharine washes of pale lemon flooded new-in sections, coating everything from slip dresses to It-bags in a pastel glow. It was, without question, the chicest shade in circulation.

But such was its ubiquity that, as we’ve moved into a new year, butter yellow has risked feeling a little… expected. The good news? With the right styling, this once-sweet shade can feel entirely fresh again. And, as ever, the industry’s most reliable dressers are already showing us how.

Stepping out into a brisk New York afternoon, Jennifer Lawrence chose a generously cut, belted coat from The Row in the dreamiest pastel yellow. Instead of keeping things strictly tonal, she introduced a whisper of pale blue at the neck with a wrapped scarf, creating a subtle but elegant contrast. A trending fur hat added texture and a distinctly 2026 sensibility.

Across the Atlantic in London, Alexa Chung offered a different take. Styling Mirthdate’s Oxford shirt in a delicate buttercream hue, she wore it back-to-front—subverting predictable styling cues. Paired with the season's favourite knee-length skirt and pointed-toe heels in a rich chocolate brown, the look gained depth and sophistication. The darker accessories grounded the airy yellow, lending it a grown-up, city-ready polish.

The 2026 butter yellow colour trend is less about tonal saccharine sweetness and more about contrast and texture. If you invested in the shade last year, rest assured, it still has mileage. And if you’re tempted to reintroduce this enduring hue into your spring rotation, a few clever styling tweaks are all it takes to make it feel brand new.

Read on to shop the butter yellow colour trend below.

Shop the Butter Yellow Colour Trend:

As we look ahead to spring with longing in our eyes, one dress trend awaits: lace slips. It's true that short, slinky minis with lingerie-like details will be everywhere come spring 2026 (if it ever arrives!), but if you're feeling impatient, you can certainly dip your toe in early. Everyone in London already is, and who am I to tell you not to follow the fashion decisions of anyone located in the UK's fashion capital?

The key to wearing lace slip dresses the 2026 way is to go all the way in, styling them with tall heels that really accentuate the silhouette's sensual fabric and fit. Last summer, we wore them with trousers and sweaters, letting only a touch of lace show, but for spring, after making it through a brutal winter, we all deserve to have fun and let loose, wearing tiny dresses and tall heels if we want to. Don't just take my word for it. Alexa Chung is the one leading this charge.

The It girl, who just returned from a long stay in Paris during fashion week, posted not one but two lace-slip-dress outfits, both featuring playful pumps. The first of two dresses by the British brand Debute that Chung wore in London was lime green with yellow lace. The brand agreed with her styling of the now-sold-out number, called the Tallulah Dress, saying in its product description to wear it with heels and tousled hair for a night out.

On Alexa Chung: Debute Tallulah Dress ($380); Jude Date Mules ($556)

In another photo taken at The Dorchester in Mayfair, Chung can be seen wearing another Debute lace slip dress—the Rose Dress in black—with gray Prada pumps while lounging on an ornate bed in one of the establishment's suites. She later attended a Galentine's Day event for Debute alongside other Brits like Lily James and Tish Weinstock. James wore the same black dress as Chung, adding sheer tights and black pumps.

On Alexa Chung: Debute Rose Dress ($369); Prada heels

All this comes just a few weeks after the Golden Globes, where Zoë Kravitz donned a longer lace slip dress on the red carpet. Hers was by Saint Laurent. After the award show, she changed into a shorter, sexier version of the same peach-colored dress, styling it with lilac-colored silk high heels. Dakota Fanning, too, wore a lace slip dress to an event for the occasion, W magazine's Best Performances Party at Chateau Marmont, which took place the night before the Globes. The actress wore high heels with her version by Rodarte, choosing a pair of gold Manolo Blahnik Callasli sandals. See what I meant when I said this dress-and-shoe pairing would be everywhere?

Scroll down to re-create Chung's lace-slip-dress outfits and shop the spring dress trend that's taking over London, L.A., and more stylish cities in 2026.

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I don’t know about you, but the trainers in my wardrobe are getting far less airtime this season. Despite the steady stream of buzzy new sneakers hitting the scene, none quite feel like they’re finishing my outfits the way I want right now. Instead, I’m gravitating towards sleeker, more refined footwear—and, naturally, looking to the style set for inspiration.

While my trainers take a back seat, my jeans are working overtime. Specifically, my newfound favourites: stove pipe jeans. With their clean lines and polished silhouette, they’ve become my everyday go-to. But while baggier denim styles paired seamlessly with trainers, this sharper cut calls for something a little more considered. So, I doubled down on my celebrity research to uncover the non-trainer shoe trends fashion insiders are wearing with their jeans right now. Read on to discover the two silhouettes taking off this season.

Discover the Shoe Trend The Look Chicest With Stove Pipe Jeans:

1. Alexa Chung's Stove Pipe Jeans + Square-Toe Heels:

Style Notes: During the colder months, even my evening outfits tend to revolve around jeans, and stovepipe styles are among the chicest silhouettes for the job. This week, Alexa Chung demonstrated exactly how to elevate them. Stepping out for a runway show in Paris, she paired dark-wash straight-leg jeans with glossy black square-toe heels. Creating a polished yet unfussy silhouette. Adding height while keeping the colour palette restrained, Chung created a cohesive look that felt elevated, sleek and entirely wearable.

Shop Stove Pipe Jeans + Square-Toe Heels:

2. Kendall Jenner's Stove Pipe Jeans + Loafers:

Style Notes: Where my daily uniform once revolved around looser jeans and trainers, this season it’s straight-leg denim and streamlined shoes doing the heavy lifting, and a glossy black leather loafer is my new go-to. Polished and preppy, this pairing feels like the chic evolution of my everyday wardrobe. Take a cue from Kendall Jenner and layer with a sumptuous suede jacket for a refined finish, or keep things cosy with a soft knit as we wait out winter’s final days.

Shop Stove Pipe Jeans and Loafers:

In case you haven't already noticed, the best dressed people in the world are currently in Paris, whether it's because they live there year-round or are just stopping through for a Haute Couture Week show or two. One such skilled dresser is Alexa Chung, who attended a Bulgari event in the City of Lights wearing an outfit that made little black dresses irrelevant. They're classic, yes, but sometimes, classic just doesn't cut it. Maximalism is back with a vengeance in 2026, and if dressing like the chicest women in Paris is high on your list of priorities this year, I suggest you follow Chung's lead by ditching basic dresses. Instead, try her preferred style out for size.

The dress trend in question? Fringe dresses. Specifically, the British It girl chose an ivory dress from Anna October's pre-fall 2026 collection, which hasn't yet been released. The dress features a subtle and elegant jacquard print and long, silky fringe on its hem and cape. The opulent fabric and details feel like a nod to French history, dating back to the days when Marie Antoinette led the rococo style movement that was full of similarly soft colors, delicate materials, and lavish embellishments. Her look for the evening wasn't all loud and bold, though. On her feet, Chung kept it simple, donning a pair of sleek black pumps that allowed her dress to be the star of the show.

On Alexa Chung: Anna October dress; Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas Bracelet (Price upon request)

It shouldn't come as a huge surprise that fringe dresses like Chung's are making the rounds in the world's most stylish city. Fringe, in general, has been on the up-and-up for a while now. Suede and leather fringe dresses dominated this past fall, and tassel-edge scarves are gaining popularity ahead of spring's long-awaited arrival. This is basically the year of the fringe, and dresses will not be left out of the movement.

Ahead, re-create Chung's Parisian fringe-dress look and shop more fringe dresses for 2026.

Get Alexa Chung's Look

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If you're feeling as though being completely over winter has become your entire personality, might I suggest focusing on something else, and might I suggest that something be shoes? Sadly, many spring shoe trends can't be worn until the ice clears, but the one I keep spotting on celebrities in Paris for Haute Couture Fashion Week is all about a subtle detail that adorns a pair of heels, and there are iterations of the trend you can start wearing now.

The trend I'm referring to is bow heels, which draw inspiration from traditional ballet flats. They're basically heels adorned with small, delicate bows. They can be any type of heels, but I most often see them in the form of pumps or mule sandals. The former was just spotted on Alexa Chung, and the latter on Monica Barbaro, both of whom were in Paris to attend the Dior show.

Speaking of Dior, it's safe to say that Jonathan Anderson's S/S 2026 collection for the fashion house, which included many bow-adorned bags and shoes, has something to do with the trend. (I'd be remiss to not mention that Elizabeth Olsen also just wore bow heels in Paris, in the form of Jacquemus slingback pumps to attend its F/W 26 Le Palmier show.) These It girls' outfits, included below, pretty much confirm that modern bow-adorned heels add a cool, elegant, and, of course, pretty feel to any outfit they're paired with.

Keep scrolling to see the celebs and show my favorite bow heels—including the Toteme pair that I think will go viral by spring.

Celebrities Wearing Bow Heels in Paris

On Elizabeth Olsen: Jacquemus jacket, The Small Valérie Bag ($1690) and The High Cubisto Slingbacks ($950)

On Monica Barbaro: Dior dress and sandals

On Alexa Chung: Dior outfit and Muse Pumps ($1500)

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I get paid to monitor celebrity style, so I take the task of identifying celebrity-loved emerging trends very seriously. And with Paris Haute Couture Week drawing the world’s chicest dressers into one tightly packed location, I’ve been street-style spotting to my heart’s content. Among the swirl of couture and street-style looks, one shoe trend kept catching my eye.

Easing last season’s ballet flats and predictable court shoes out of rotation, fashion people in Paris—and also Los Angeles—are turning to curved heel shoes on repeat right now. Sculptural yet understated, the silhouette feels primed to thrive in 2026.

I first spotted the trend on Victoria Beckham, who stepped out in Paris wearing a sleek pair of black satin curved heels just yesterday. Styled with a longline jersey dress, her look was characteristically restrained, with the softly arched heel adding enough intrigue to elevate the ensemble without tipping into excess.

Soon after, Alexa Chung wore the same sculptural silhouette, pairing her curved heels with a butter-yellow dress trimmed in theatrical fringing. Balancing drama and ease, the heels echo the movement of the dress without feeling costume-like.