Fashion insiders have officially declared it: Jeans are the backbone of every fall outfit worth repeating right now. But instead of the usual formulas we’ve seen a thousand times, they’re serving up completely new ways to wear them—15, to be exact. From tucked-in denim with sleek boots to boxy denim-on-suede pairings that feel equal parts effortless and intentional, these looks prove that even the most classic wardrobe piece can feel brand-new when styled with a little creativity.

November denim dressing is going to be all about proportion play and texture mixing. Think cool jeans cinched with a tailored belt, loose styles offset by fitted knits, or dark indigo paired with chocolate leather outerwear. A simple swap—like trading your sneakers for pointed-toe heels or adding a structured jacket—instantly elevates even your most worn-in pair.

Another recurring theme? Statement outerwear and unexpected layering. Trench coats, bomber jackets, and collared leather styles are giving classic blue jeans an edge, while pops of red, burgundy, or gray feel distinctly fall 2025. And if you’re not into color, head-to-toe neutrals continue to dominate—think denim with taupe suede boots or tonal denim with a soft gray knit for a minimal but luxurious feel.

So whether you’re craving outfit inspiration for a crisp weekend brunch, your 9-to-5 uniform, or a night out, these 15 looks are the exact blueprint to refresh your fall rotation. Ahead, fashion people are proving that jeans are anything but basic this season—and that there’s no wrong way to wear them when styled with confidence and a little creativity.

See 15 of the best ways to wear fall denim this November (and beyond), plus shop the essentials along the way.

Yes, everyone with good taste is wearing a tan jacket with jeans this season.

Now this is how you style loose jeans with sleek leather boots.

Very into the idea of pairing jeans with elegant tops for fall.

This denim style is by far the most flattering fit for fall 2025.

Another example of how to style a tan jacket with your jeans.

If you're still on the fence when it comes to the cow-print shoe trend, here are some more outfit ideas.

This entire look is just so classy and timeless, 10/10, in our opinion.

The boot tuck styling trick is back, and we're here for it.

A long leather jacket + dark denim + loafers = the coolest way to look casual and stylish this fall.

It's the perfectly tucked sweater plus the polished pointed-toe heels for us.

Prove that a simple white button-down is all you need to elevate your next denim look.

Bookmarking this denim outfit combination for our next night out this fall.

In case you needed more proof that the "dirty" denim trend is taking over right now

An updated way to style your classic button-down shirt by leaving the bottom-half undone.

A casual denim outfit formula you can wear on repeat all fall long.

This autumn, fashion enthusiasts can't stop talking about one colour: chocolate brown. While this deep, rich shade has always been a staple for the cold-weather season, it's particularly prevalent this year, especially on the runways and among style-setters. Its widespread popularity is well-deserved, as chocolate brown is a timeless and adaptable colour. It shares the versatility of black but with a warm, welcoming undertone and inherently luxe feel.

Whether in the form of suede, leather, or satin, or on handbags, shoes, outerwear, or skirts, chocolate brown brings an extra layer of opulence and indulgence to every outfit. Plus, fashion people from Paris to New York have consistently demonstrated that you can mix and match chocolate brown with various colours, from butter yellow to navy, instead of just wearing it head to toe.

So how do you approach styling this season's top colour? One way is to swap out your black staple pieces for brown alternatives and then style them as you would if they were black. To provide examples, I spent countless hours scrolling through Instagram and curated a selection of the eight best chocolate-brown outfit ideas. Whether you've already added chocolate-brown pieces to your fall wardrobe and need styling inspiration or you're simply curious about integrating 2025's hottest hue into your style, the upcoming information will resonate with you.

1. Cape + Suit + Suede Bag

Style notes: Capes are making a strong statement this season, whether part of coats or worn on their own, adding a stylish twist to simple outfits. Nnenna Echem's outfit perfectly demonstrates how a chocolate-brown cape can elevate a coordinated blazer-and-trousers ensemble, giving it a contemporary feel. Plus, her decision to pair the navy set with more chocolate-brown elements, such as the suede tote bag and ballet flats, showcases the harmonious combination of the two hues.

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2. Jumper + Leather Skirt + Heels

Style notes: Every autumn, I come across numerous black-and-brown outfits. One of my favourites is Sylvie Mus's ensemble, featuring a cozy brown high V-neck sweater paired with a chic leather midi skirt. Adding strappy sandals and a leather clutch as accessories enhances the overall simple yet sophisticated look, proving that less truly is more.

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3. Miniskirt + Trench Coat + Knit Top

Style notes: When aiming to create a sophisticated autumnal ensemble, a winning combination involves pairing a trench coat with a brown miniskirt. Elevate the look by incorporating a pop of vibrancy with a yellow shirt, as the blend of chocolate brown and yellow exudes chic autumn vibes. For added visual interest, draw inspiration from content creator Emmanuelle Koffi and incorporate subtle buttery-yellow tones through your handbag and preppy flats.

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4. Jumper + Elastic-Waist Trousers + Trainers

Style notes: Even a simple chocolate-brown sweater can elevate your casual outfit when styled just right. I love how stylist and content creator Marianne Smyth combined the brown knit with navy wide-leg trousers, a colour combination that always exudes luxury. What ties the look together is the addition of a green suede bag, which complements the brown and creates a calming effect. For footwear? Opt for white trainers to perfectly complement the sporty and laid-back pants.

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5. Monochromatic Three-Piece Suit + Flats

Style notes: When getting dressed for a day filled with important meetings, deciding what to wear can be tricky. This is where opting for an easy all-chocolate-brown ensemble comes into play. Choose sophisticated pieces like a well-tailored blazer, a stylish vest, and elegant wide-leg trousers. The beauty of this ensemble is its versatility—you can mix and match these pieces with other items in your wardrobe. A three-piece chocolate-brown suit offers an endless array of fashionable outfits for all occasions.

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6. Satin Miniskirt + Long-Sleeve Top + Mules

Style notes: Don't feel like you have to pack away your skirts just because it's autumn. Embrace the season by choosing a chocolate-brown mini or midi and pair it with a warm jumper or a sophisticated blazer. Complete the look with a bold pair of mules for a playful twist and a neutral bag to create a well-balanced ensemble.

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7. Suede Jacket + Studded Belt + Baggy Jeans

Style notes: Don't be fooled; chocolate brown doesn't have to be boring. Just opt for a suede jacket. The buttery softness and luxuriousness of the suede fabric effortlessly bring sophistication to a casual T-shirt-and-jeans combination. Finish the ensemble with a studded belt for an added flair that exudes confidence and style.

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8. Maxi Dress + Jumper + Belt

Style notes: While the temperatures are still warm, you can wear a chocolate-brown maxi dress, ideally in a drop-waist style. Layer a lighter-brown jumper over your shoulders to keep the look relaxed, and add a belt to create visual interest.

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As a beauty editor, I already know that an autumn French manicure is going to be one of the biggest nail trends of the season. This classic nail design was everywhere in summer, but I'm already seeing lots of nail artists transition the look into the colder months.

Whether it's swapping out your usual white nail polish for a deep red or burgundy shade, or opting for some trending autumn nail art on top of your French tip, there are lots of ways to get your manicure September-ready.

Below, I've rounded up six autumn French manicure trends that I believe will be huge this season. I study nail trends for a living, so I know a thing or two about predicting new manicure looks, and trust me when I say that all the signs point to these six designs being big news in the upcoming weeks. Now, time to decide which one to go for at my next nail appointment...

6 Autumn French Manicure Trends to Try Now

1. Blurred French Manicure

First up is the ultra chic blurred French mani. If you favour subtle, pared-back nails for autumn, then this is the trend for you. As the name suggests, this look involves a soft, blended white French tip that enhances your natural nail and makes your manicure look so polished.

No matter what nail shape or length, there's no denying how stylish this trend is.

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2. Polka-Dot French Tips

Polka-dot nails were big news at the end of summer, but this autumn, it seems that a polka dot French tip is the chosen way to wear this trend. I'm not usually a fan of nail art, but even I can't deny how fun yet chic this is.

Keep things simple with a monochrome design and let the polka dots do all the talking.

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3. Burgundy French Tips

I've already declared my love for a burgundy French tip this autumn, and stand by the fact that this is the most elegant way to wear the nail trend for the colder months. There's just something so sophisticated about the deep reddish-purple hue.

Don't be alarmed if you see me wearing this exact manicure every single week from now on.

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4. Animal-Print French Tips

We all know that animal prints come back into fashion every single autumn, and as a beauty editor, I'm used to seeing these trending prints make their way into the manicure world, too. That's why I predict that animal print French manicures will be big news.

What I like about this trend is that it manages to make a statement while still pairing beautifully with a more neutral autumn wardrobe.

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5. Navy French Manicure

I was out shopping last weekend, and everywhere I turned, there were chic navy accessories, from suede loafers to handbags. It got me thinking about other ways in which I could incorporate the colour into my look, and I settled on a navy French tip nail design because, well, have you ever seen anything more elegant?

A micro navy French tip is even better.

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6. Clean-Girl French Manicure

I know it might seem boring, but I truly don't believe that anything looks more polished than a classic French mani. This is the clean-girl nail look for autumn.

I've already spotted so many of these polished French manicures over on Instagram this season. My top takeaways are to go for a soft pink base and a glossy top coat to make your nails look as healthy as possible.

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If you're simultaneously obsessed with the latest micro-trends and too intimidated to test them out, you've come to the right place. This is Ways to Wear, a monthly series where editor Eliza Huber offers a dose of outfit inspiration focused on current trends that feel intriguing yet overwhelming at the same time. Consider it your guide to actually wearing the coolest items of the moment, no matter how puzzling they might appear at first.

Jean shorts have long been summer's favorite child. They're pretty much synonymous with the season—an essential piece that'll never really go out of style. That being said, jorts aren't the only shorts option you have when the weather warms up. In fact, a new shorts trend is kicking off with abandon, putting jean shorts at risk of losing their top spot in the minds of shoppers during the time span between June and September. Sexy and sophisticated with just the right touch of bohemian, lace-trim shorts (not to be confused with equally buzzy lace-trim skirts) are becoming more and more popular by the day. Just one question remains: How do you wear them?

Being the curious dresser I am, I wanted to know, deciding to secure some of the most-wanted pairs of the season to play around with styling. You see, lace-trim shorts aren't like jorts, which can basically be paired with anything, from a sweater to a graphic tee to a button-down shirt. They take a little more thought and creativity to pull off in a cool way that's not overly bohemian, ethereal, or romantic. They are akin to lingerie, after all.

When I'm struggling with styling a super-specific item like this one, I like to consider its foils first. Opposites indeed attract, especially when it comes to outfits, so pairing an item with a contrasting partner is almost always a foolproof plan. Think a sheer dress with a weathered barn jacket or a sporty pair of shorts with moto boots. By steering clear of the obvious choice, your outfits are guaranteed to be more interesting and eye-catching. Plus, it gives you a sense of direction whenever you're feeling lost in the dressing department.

In the case of lace-trim shorts, I've seen Courtney Grow style her Dôen Iona Shorts with a Saint Laurent leather bomber jacket and loafers. All three pieces seem like unlikely partners, yet they fit seamlessly. Laura Vidrequin has the same pair of lacy cream shorts, but she took another route, combining them with a gray crewneck sweatshirt to remove some of the inherent formality of silk and lace, a pair of The Row's red jelly flats, and a raffia crossbody bag. Was she going to the beach, to bed, or to the gym? Perhaps none of the above, even if her outfit's individual pieces might steer you in the direction of those destinations. By having fun with the styling and not taking the expected route, she created a save-worthy outfit with her lace-trim shorts as the star of the show.

I kept both looks and more in mind when I started testing out different lace-trim-shorts outfits for the season ahead. Scroll down to see which two combinations I ultimately went with, using Dôen's Iona Shorts and J.Crew's Stratus Shorts as my muses.

How to wear lace-trim shorts:

Dôen's Iona Shorts are one of the hardest-to-find fashion item of the summer. The brand just restocked them, only for practically every size to sell out in one day. Even so, I got my hands on a pair and fell hard and fast for the pretty pant alternative. For a warm but gloomy day on the Upper West Side, I styled them with my favorite pair of flats (that give heel energy) from COS, a Tibi mercerized wool sweater in navy blue, a Mango leather blazer, and a navy-blue suede Alaïa Le Teckel bag. I, again, focused on pieces that didn't necessarily fit together aesthetically, i.e., leather, silk, and knitwear. At the same time, all of the items feel sleek and cool, allowing them to click.

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A sporty jacket like this one from Proenza Schouler probably isn't the first "top" you'd think of pairing with lace-trim shorts, but it provided a somewhat puzzling touch to this outfit that I always welcome. These J.Crew shorts are great because they're longer than most lace-trim shorts on the market right now, adding a touch more coverage that allows you to wear them for more occasions and to more places. After all, a tiny pair of lingerie shorts doesn't exactly fit with a lot of dress codes. Here, I rolled them once, but I like the idea of also wearing them long with a strappy tank for a warmer, sunnier day in NYC.

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If you're simultaneously obsessed with the latest micro-trends and too intimidated to test them out, you've come to the right place. This is Ways to Wear, a monthly series where editor Eliza Huber offers a dose of outfit inspiration focused on current trends that feel intriguing yet overwhelming at the same time. Consider it your guide to actually wearing the coolest items of the moment, no matter how puzzling they might appear at first.

Not to sound dramatic, but a print trend that actually feels fresh and not recycled from a few seasons ago is, in fact, groundbreaking. I love animal prints and polka dots just as much as the next fashion person—probably more—but they're not exactly new. Some patterns just stick around, only to show up in a buzzy runway collection and be called the next It print again. But finally, a genuinely unexpected design is gaining traction among fashion-minded shoppers, and I, for one, am prepared to welcome it with open arms.

If the below curation of lauded runway looks hasn't already given it away, I'm talking about plaid, a print that often lives on the outskirts of fashion. It has a presence, yes, but never shines brightest. That is, until now, when brands like The Row, Bottega Veneta, Kallmeyer, and Calvin Klein are making the checkered pattern priority number one.

The first signs of plaid's renaissance arrived when The Row released its spring 2025 lookbook, which featured a handful of check-print pieces that would go on to sell out and go viral online. The Tina Jacket—marked with blue-and-red intersecting lines and a scarf-like collar detail—sold out in what felt like moments, leaving shoppers to scour the secondhand market for one in their size, ignoring their heightened prices. The Nesson Shirt, Esperanza Skirt, and Tavishina Skirt also became top buys for the season.

Ahead of his departure from Bottega Veneta, Matthieu Blazy likewise leaned into plaid, featuring the print throughout his pre-spring 2025 and spring 2025 collections in the form of coats, shirts, skirts, and more. Kallmeyer's fall/winter 2025 show saw a Jordan Catalano–esque plaid "shirt" tied around one model's waist. (The plaid knot is actually attached to the trousers in a sneaky, smart move by the brand's designer and founder, Daniella Kallmeyer.) Meanwhile, at Veronica Leoni's Calvin Klein debut in New York, the classic plaid shirt returned to fashion with a sleek upgrade that felt elegant and casual at the same time.

Intrigued? So was I, which is why I set out to style the print in my daily life. See how I'll be wearing plaid this season below.

Wearing: Original Madras Trading Co. shirt; Paige pants; Massimo Dutti Heeled Shoes With Rounded Toe ($190); COS Mini Studio Bowler Bag ($220); Khaite x Oliver Peoples 1998C ($480); Cartier watch; Jenny Bird Nouveaux Puff Earrings ($158)

Styling notes: Not going to lie—I leaned heavily on the aforementioned runway looks for styling inspiration when I first started incorporating plaid into my wardrobe this season. For this look, I looked to the very first outfit featured in The Row's spring 2025 lookbook, in which a model wears the Nesson Shirt with black Lilas Pants, a classic black belt, and sporty sandals. I made the look feel more me by ditching the belt, adding heels, and leaning on accessories, like my new COS bowler bag and Khaite x Oliver Peoples wire-rim sunglasses. I got this shirt, by Original Madras Trading Co., at Century 21 on deep sale, and now cannot stop wearing it. It's so lightweight and breezy while also looking put-together and unique.

Wearing: Tory Burch shirt; Gucci skirt; Bottega Veneta Small Andiamo ($4700); Jimmy Choo boots; Cartier watch

Styling notes: One misconception about plaid is that it always looks casual, but that simply is not true. You can easily dress it up as long as you pair it with the right pieces. Here, I swapped out a classic white or blue button-down shirt with a plaid version from Tory Burch, and tucked it into a tailored leather pencil skirt from Gucci (Tom Ford era, naturally) that I found at the Manhattan Vintage Show. To continue elevating the print, I wore stiletto sock boots from Jimmy Choo and added my Bottega Veneta Andiamo Bag in the color Fondant.

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If you're simultaneously obsessed with the latest micro-trends and too intimidated to test them out, you've come to the right place. This is Ways to Wear, a monthly series where editor Eliza Huber offers a dose of outfit inspiration centered on current trends that feel intriguing yet overwhelming at the same time. Consider it your guide to actually wearing the coolest items of the moment, no matter how puzzling they might appear at first.

Velvet is one of those tricky fashion items, like capri pants or leopard print, that can really go either way—chic or way too much—depending on how you style it. Alongside sequins and duchesse satin, it's often considered a holiday fabric, which brings up problems. No one wants to invest in a trend only to end up looking like a preteen at Thanksgiving dinner. Trust me. That can happen if velvet is worn in the wrong way. Once you get a few pieces into your wardrobe and begin to experiment with them, it won't take long to discover that adding velvet into your rotation is the key to luxurious and expensive-looking outfits all winter long—hell, all year.

Of course, I'd never expect you to just believe me outright with no proof or explanation. Fortunately, I'm prepared to give you all of that and more. Velvet's been a slow burner for a while now, rising in popularity under the radar. Fashion's most revered brands would include a piece or two in their collections, looks that always ended up being favorites among the style set. For example, earlier this year when Schiaparelli held its F/W 24 show during Paris Fashion Week, a handful of the 40 looks featured the lavish fabric, and people loved them. Creative Director Daniel Roseberry did his job with the material, making it appear both wearable and aspirational—a work of art, really.

When resort collections began to debut later in the year, Chloé, one of the industry's buzziest labels right now, included a modernized take on the suit in its lookbook. The cropped jacket and matching Bermuda shorts were fashioned completely out of black velvet and styled alongside a boho lace blouse and folded-over thigh-high boots.

More brands like Liberowe and Blazé Milano have made velvet a staple part of their product lines, producing jackets, skirts, tops, and dresses in the material that never disappoint. Trust me—I've added quite a few of their pieces into my wardrobe over the last few years. To ensure that you get velvet right this winter and beyond, I played around with styling some of the textured items in my current rotation, including a long-loved puff-sleeve Khaite top from the NY brand's Resort 20 collection and a red midi skirt by Blazé Milano that just arrived a few weeks ago. Ahead, find three non-holiday ways to wear velvet and shop the rich-looking trend that's quickly becoming a staple for stylish women everywhere.

How to style a velvet skirt:

When it comes to styling a velvet skirt, whether it's long or short, I usually tend to keep the top half fairly simple. Think a boatneck tank, fitted tee, or long-sleeve tissue-thin sweater. In the warmer months, you could even go for a classic ribbed tank in white or black. Here, I went the boatneck-tank route, opting for an elevated version by Dissh that I paired with black pumps and a black Freja shoulder bag. On top, I added a black cashmere coat.

Wearing: Blazé Milano Sussex Maxi Longuette ($645); Dissh Sienna Knit Tank ($49); Flattered Tove Leather Heels ($275); Nanushka coat; Freja Mercer Bag ($298)

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How to style a velvet top:

Velvet tops are shockingly easy to style, as they go with everything. I have this Resort 20 Khaite top in both black and red velvet and have worn them in so many different ways—with straight-leg jeans (as shown below), trousers, skirts, and more. I even style it with a silk slip dress underneath to create a skirt effect without having to buy a separate slip skirt. The best part about velvet tops is how they instantly increase the value of any outfit. Simply put, they look expensive.

Wearing: Khaite top; Levi's jeans; Flattered Tove Leather Heels ($275); Freja Mercer Bag ($298)

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How to style a velvet jacket:

Of course, I saved the best for last. Although I'm aware that velvet outerwear is the priciest category of the three I styled out, it's also the one I think is most worth the investment. Trust me. I've invested a lot of money in velvet jackets, and I've never once regretted doing so. Personally, I think Blazé Milano and Liberowe are the dominant brands in this category, crafting unique shapes and designs with the fabric that don't feel like just more blazers. Instead, they're designing compliment-worthy pieces that can exist in your wardrobe and elevate your everyday outfits for decades to come.

Wearing: Liberowe Raja Velvet-Trimmed Wool Jacket ($1750); Massimo Dutti dress; Tory Burch bag; IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 ($11700); Prada shoes

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There's a certain inevitability to black-legging outfits. Whether you're committed to the comfort of athleisure, secretly into stirrups, or just on your way to Pilates, we all end up out and about in our leggings sooner or later. The fashion set is no exception, and it's not just an American thing—from Paris to London, Lisbon to Amsterdam, I delight in seeing stylish people show up in my feed wearing genuinely off-duty outfits.

If you're looking for a little outfit inspo for how to style basic black leggings, you've come to the right place. And while some of the below looks are perfect for grabbing a coffee and hitting Trader Joe's after yoga, I promise at least two of these will have you surprised at just how polished a pair of leggings can be. It's all about the styling, so stay tuned for the details—then keep scrolling until the very end for 12 bonus pairs of leggings that editors love to shop.

To be clear, this would be great with black tailored trousers or even jeans, but Linda Tol's stirrup leggings make it feel much cooler. I'm here for how polished yet secretly comfortable it is—honestly, might have to re-create this for my next flight.

On-trend accessories—like square-toe flats and an oversize mock-croc bag—are easy upgrades if you want to feel a little more intentional than just sneakers and your go-to canvas tote. Perfect for an outfit that says, "Shall we grab lunch after yoga?"

A giant cable-knit is perfect with leggings, yet it's weirdly an outfit combo I've never tried. The trick is to make sure it's longer and chunkier than your average sweater, and add polished black accessories that make it all feel a bit luxe.

A shearling jacket and comfortable leggings make a great outfit for the winter, whether you're running to the store or the airport. And if you like your leggings to be as cozy as your outerwear, this top-rated, number one best-selling fleece-lined style from Amazon is about to be your new favorite thing.

This outfit is all of us IRL running errands at some point this season. I like the variation of the faded black leggings (I found a similar "washed black" colorway at Vuori, shopped out below), plus the addition of high socks paired with retro sneakers in an on-trend hue.

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This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

If you're simultaneously obsessed with the latest micro-trends and too intimidated to test them out, you've come to the right place. This is Ways to Wear, a monthly series where editor Eliza Huber offers a dose of outfit inspiration focused on current trends that feel intriguing yet overwhelming at the same time. Consider it your guide to actually wearing the coolest items of the moment, no matter how puzzling they might appear at first.

Whenever talk of a comeback for skinny silhouettes—whether it's jeans or trousers—starts to pick up, the fashion community and beyond tends to react with panic. It's likely due to trauma from past iterations that haven't lived up to our standards, and many are in mutual agreement that slim-leg bottoms should be met with a hard pass. But after a sprinkling of fitted styles showed up on the spring 2025 runways (leading to yet another set of whispers about a return for cigarette pants), I was surprised to find that, unlike with past attempts, people were noticeably more open to at least trying an alternative to all things big, billowy, and baggy.

While I have certainly been wronged by skinny pants in the past, this time around, I found myself firmly planted on the yes side of the cigarette-pants debate. To know for sure, though, I had to try them out. On the runways, even the most controversial of fashion items can work, but that isn't always the case in person—especially when you only have your existing wardrobe to style around.

To confirm whether or not cigarette pants are for me, I secured a top-selling pair from Lafayette 148 that was recommended to me by my co-worker Anna Laplaca and started playing around, taking inspiration from Boss, Altuzarra, Marni, and more spring collections in the process. Scroll down to check out two ways that I've loved styling cigarette pants thus far and three runway-inspired outfit ideas I'm planning on copying next.

On the runway:

If timeless elegance is the look you're going for in terms of your wardrobe, taking inspiration from Boss is never a bad idea. The German brand's ready-to-wear collection is not to be slept on, especially when it comes to the S/S 25 collection. The cigarette pants from the curation were especially awe-worthy, particularly this black style that was strategically paired with strappy sandals and a long ribbed cardigan.

IRL:

Wearing: Tory Burch sweater; Lafayette 148 Gramercy Acclaimed Stretch Pants ($598); Prada Re-Edition 1995 Brushed-Leather Large Handbag ($4400); Khaite shoes; Linda Farrow sunglasses

My ultimate muse for this testing project was Jackie Kennedy, who had an unmatched air of elegance about her, and whenever she wore trousers, they were almost always fitted like a cigarette pant. I wanted to create an outfit that felt casual and put together at the same time, like I threw it on at the last minute but did so with sophistication in mind. What I came up with was a sweater-and-trouser combination that included an oversize gray V-neck sweater and Lafayette 148's lauded Gramercy pants. To go with, I added a Prada 1995 bag that was named after Kennedy's daughter-in-law, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and black suede kitten-heel pumps from Khaite. The look is extremely simple, which is what I think I like most about it. I could wear it to work, to dinner, or anywhere really and feel dressed for the occasion without being "dressed up."

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On the runway:

Altuzarra's S/S 25 collection was one of the most influential of the entire season, with the printed dresses, pillbox hats, and studded bags included in it all going on to become viral, season-defining trends. Another big-deal inclusion was cigarette pants, a silhouette that two models showcased with statement tops and slingbacks. Before devouring photos from this show, I would have never said yes to wearing slim-fit trousers. Now? If they fell into my lap, you bet I'd style them as often as possible.

IRL:

Wearing: Aligne Leo Long Waistcoat ($180); Lafayette 148 Gramercy Acclaimed Stretch Pants ($598); ME+EM shoes; Linda Farrow sunglasses; Usisi bag

Whenever I try out a trend that I'm not particularly used to yet, I usually go with a monochromatic look to start things off. It's my comfort zone and the color that takes up a majority of the space in my closet, so since I was using all pieces I already owned other than the Lafayette 148 cigarette pants, it felt the most natural. To go with the trousers, I wore a longline Aligne waistcoat and some slingback wedges, adding a tortoiseshell headband and open-top, '60s-inspired handbag to go along with the look's subtle retro vibe. An outfit like this, to me, makes wearing skinny-leg pants easy, squashing the belief that the silhouette is intimidating.

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On the runway:

When it comes to modern-day cigarette pants, the brand I think of first and foremost is Marni. When every other brand under the sun was opting for baggier silhouettes, Francesco Risso's designs were going slimmer. The way they were styled on the runway will no doubt become the blueprint as more and more members of the fashion community start to stray away from looser fits and focus their attention on skinnier alternatives.

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This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

If you're simultaneously obsessed with the latest micro-trends and too intimidated to test them out, you've come to the right place. This is Ways to Wear, a monthly series where editor Eliza Huber offers a dose of outfit inspiration focused on current trends that feel intriguing yet overwhelming at the same time. Consider it your guide to actually wearing the coolest items of the moment, no matter how puzzling they might appear at first.

In fashion, a few years never pass by without at least one person trying to make leopard print a thing again. The kitschy print will show up in a runway collection or outside of one of L.A.'s many celebrity hot spots (yes, I'm looking at you, Sushi Park and Giorgio Baldi) in the form of a velvet coat or pair of loafers, leading to a bevy of content surrounding its return to fashion's good graces. It rarely sticks, though, and I think I know why.

Whenever leopard print has become a "trend," it's always done so in a way that feels excessive or over-the-top, but the times when it's felt the most covetable are when it's worn in a casual, laissez-faire manner that allows whatever item it's printed on to become a timeless staple. There's a reason why my leopard-print mood board doesn't include very many images from the handful of times that leopard print has made waves in the last two decades. Instead, it mostly consists of photos from the '80s and '90s, where it's worn by off-duty models and New York City muses completely nonchalantly: with jeans and a tee or a black turtleneck and matching pencil skirt. To make leopard print work, it has to appear effortless. No one managed to do just that better than Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.

Bessette-Kennedy was known for her innate ability to look elegant no matter what she wore—be it dark-wash jeans and flip-flops for a dog walk around Tribeca or a gown for one of the many black-tie galas she attended alongside her husband John F. Kennedy Jr. In short, the late publicist and socialite is the perfect muse for anyone trying to work leopard print into their wardrobe without doing too much.

Her wardrobe only included a few leopard-print pieces (a knee-length, collared coat discovered at a flea market, according to British Vogue, and a pair of heeled loafers), but Bessette-Kennedy wore them frequently enough for the print to become synonymous with her iconic minimalist wardrobe, which heavily featured Prada and Calvin Klein, where she worked in PR. Typically, their appearances were accompanied by lots of black. Think turtlenecks, T-shirts, coats, and sweaters paired with just-flared-enough dark-wash denim. She never wore two leopard-print pieces together in one outfit and always kept the accompanying colors simple and classic.

When I decided to try my hand at incorporating the print into my own wardrobe, I likewise kept each look to just one printed piece and stuck to mostly black accent items. Keep scrolling to check out the four ways I ended up styling leopard print with Bessette-Kennedy at the forefront of my mind.

What You'll Need: Black Blazer + Black Pencil Skirt + Leopard-Print Handbag

Ever since I saw Ferragamo's leopard-print offering, which began with a runway look from the fall/winter 2023 show, I've felt inspired to find that perfect printed piece to add to my wardrobe. In the show, the model wore a leopard-print belted coat with matching wedge heels and a purse to go with. It's bold—bolder than I would probably feel comfortable doing on any regular day at the office or on any occasion really—but that didn't stop it from convincing me that right now is the perfect time to dip into the leopard-print pool.

That said, when I decided to do this story, Ferragamo was my first stop. This top-handle bag is what spurred me to create a corpcore ensemble, pairing with it a cropped high-neck blazer, a midi-length pencil skirt, and extra-sharp black wedges. Naturally, I had to add a pair of fishnet tights to break up all of the solid black and balance out the whole look. The result? My realization that even something as small as an eight-inch-long handbag can turn anything into an outfit when it's made of elegant pony hair and painted with a bold cheetah pattern.

Wearing: Zara blazer and skirt; Ferragamo bag; Calzedonia tights; Prada shoes; Linda Farrow sunglasses; vintage earrings

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What You'll Need: Leopard-Print Blazer + Black Fitted Trousers + Kitten Heels

On my search for leopard-print outerwear, I stumbled upon this oversize blazer, which was paired with matching trousers on the site. A top-to-toe look wouldn't have been very CBK, but as a separate, the blazer itself was too tempting to not at least try to transform into a casual piece with the right styling. My solution was to use the belt it came with to tighten up the blazer as much as possible and make it feel a bit more tailored. Then, I swapped out the leopard pants for some super-fitted vintage Gucci trousers from my closet and kitten-heel pumps. The goal was to take the loud centerpiece and hush it up a bit with pieces from the best era for minimalism and items inspired by that time.

Wearing: Raey blazer; Gucci pants; Prada shoes; Linda Farrow sunglasses

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What You'll Need: Leopard-Print Dress + Black Elbow-Length Gloves + Black Boots

One of my all-time favorite Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy looks is one she wore to the Municipal Art Society Gala in 1998. For the occasion, she wore a strapless black gown from Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto's F/W 98 collection alongside a pair of matching velvet opera gloves, according to i-D. The look has stuck with me for years, so when I found this strapless leopard-print dress, I knew it had to be accompanied by a pair of opera gloves. Luckily, my co-worker Jasmine recently secured a pair of leather gloves when she was traveling in Italy and kindly let me borrow them to complete my look. From there, I added point-toe stiletto boots that are fitted through the leg, keeping the outfit feeling formal but not inappropriate for the season, aka the dead of winter.

Wearing: Raey dress; Jil Sander gloves; Jimmy Choo boots; Bottega Veneta Drop Earrings ($820); Linda Farrow sunglasses

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What You'll Need: Leopard-Print Jacket + Oversize Trousers + Black Handbag 

I've actually had my eye on this Tory Burch hourglass-fitting jacket for a few years now—yes, years—and for some reason, I kept telling myself that the print was too out-there for a minimalist dresser like myself. This story gave me an excuse to finally take it for a test-drive and determine if the devil on my shoulder that had been whispering away for all this time was either right or completely misinformed. Hint: It's the latter. The shape of the jacket, for starters, is impeccable, which is why I wanted to keep the rest of the outfit super pared back, allowing it to be the centerpiece through and through. To do so, I chose some oversize trousers, black Mary Jane flats, and my black 1995 Re-Edition Prada bag that Bessette-Kennedy was famous for carrying regularly back when the original style came out in the '90s. (In fact, it's unofficially referred to as the Carolyn bag, according to Vogue.)

Wearing: Tory Burch jacket; Staud Luisa Pleated Wide-Leg Pants ($345); Prada Re-Edition 1995 Carolyn Nappa Leather Bag ($4400); Massimo Dutti shoes; Rolex watch; Linda Farrow sunglasses

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Shop more low-key leopard-print buys:

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

If you're simultaneously obsessed with the latest micro-trends and too intimidated to test them out, you've come to the right place. This is Ways to Wear, a monthly series where editor Eliza Huber offers a dose of outfit inspiration centered around current trends that feel intriguing yet overwhelming at the same time. Consider it your guide to actually wearing the coolest items of the moment, no matter how puzzling they might appear at first.

From fringe and suede to double denim and unironic cowboy hats, there's no denying that in 2023, Western fashion is everywhere. Sometimes its appearance is subtle, like when a sweater features whipstitched edges or a pair of black boots has an angled, thick heel. At others, there's no denying the influence the wild, wild West had on an article of clothing or accessory, such as when an oversize belt buckle acts as the only thing breaking up a Canadian tuxedo or a pair of jeans feature chap-like details in the front and back (yes, I am talking about the just-launched Still Here line). There's really no right or wrong way to do Westerncore this year as long as you're doing it. 

Personally, I'm on board with both routes of conquering the trend, a statement you'll see proof of in the three Western-inspired ensembles I took for a test-drive during my recent weekend trip to Austin, Texas for the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix. Just like half of the drivers, I chose to lean into the Americana theme of the three-day event, and of course, I documented the entire thing. Scroll down to see how exactly I styled the Westerncore trend that's downright taken over TikTok and the fashion industry while in the land of cowboy culture and its associated style. 

Day 1

Wearing: Tu Es Mon Tresor jeans; Nanushka top; vintage shoes; Linda Farrow X Rowen Rose Cara Sunglasses ($300); Bottega Veneta Andiamo Small Intrecciato Leather Tote ($4100)

After touching down in Austin the night before wearing a cowboy hat, my fringe-scarf Toteme coat, and a pair of Western boots from Free People, I woke up early for my first day at the races. Fridays are usually pretty tame, with only practice sessions, but the U.S. Grand Prix was one of a handful of races this season with a Sprint format, meaning that qualifications is on a Friday instead of the normal Saturday so that the Sprint qualifications and race can take place on Saturday. Basically, the Friday activities got a lot more exciting. I was invited by the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team to spend the day with them at the track, inside of their paddock club and in and around their garages. Given that Lewis Hamilton, the shining example of stellar personal style in F1, is one of the team's two drivers, I had to impress with my look. 

I knew when I bought this wool, fringe-hem top from the Nanushka sample sale this summer that I wanted to wear it sometime during this weekend. Despite it being close to 100º in Austin on Friday, I put it on with the same Tu Es Mon Tresor black jeans and vintage, made-in-Italy mules that I styled alongside it during New York Fashion Week. The jeans have this great buckle detail in the back that further adds to the Western inspiration of it all, as does the lizard skin on my shoes. Finally, I only brought one bag for the weekend, my new Bottega Veneta Andiamo bag, which features the brand's iconic intrecciato woven leather and gold hardware, both of which made it feel appropriate for the occasion. I was warm... like really warm. But it was all worth it for the content. Plus, I've never gotten so many compliments on an outfit in my life. 

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Day 2

Wearing: Me + Em Cotton Stripe Forever Shirt ($245); Bottega Veneta Andiamo Small Intrecciato Leather Tote ($4100); vintage Levi's jeans; Linda Farrow X Rowen Rose Cara Sunglasses ($300); Ralph Lauren belt; vintage shoes; Cafe Society Cleo Hat ($245)

Apparently, I didn't learn a single lesson from yesterday's heat, because I decided on a very timeless Western look for Saturday's Sprint, taking cues from what I can only describe as a legit cowboy that I saw leaving the track on Friday evening. Just like he did, I wore a white button-down shirt (mine's super lightweight and breathable luckily) tucked into some vintage 501 Levi's and secured with an old tobacco-colored suede belt that I stole from my boyfriend's belt collection. I also rewore my vintage mules after promising myself the day before that I'd skip the stiletto heel and instead go for cowboy boots, though I'm glad I did because it elevated the outfit and made it look less costume-y. Plus, since I was lucky enough to be in the paddock with Alpha Tauri that day, I didn't have to worry too much about the extreme elevation changes around the track, specifically to my grand stand seats at Turn 1, which were at the very top of a large hill. Of course, I had to break out my cowboy hat, a gorgeous, cream-colored woven bucket that was gifted to be given by Cafe Society, Lauren Burke's NYC-based hat brand, when it launched. I've already brought it around the country with me, to the beach in Miami and now the race track in Austin. It really did perfectly finish off the day's outfit. 

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Day 3

Wearing: Lafayette 148 New York Pleated Organic Cotton Poplin Midi Skirt ($479); vintage Max Mara vest; We the Free Maverick Distressed Tall Boots ($388); Bottega Veneta Andiamo Small Intrecciato Leather Tote ($4100); Linda Farrow X Rowen Rose Cara Sunglasses ($300); Brilliant Earth Organica Cuff Bracelet ($795)

Day three was race day, and luckily, it was slightly cooler than it had been the last two days at the track. I decided to go with a less cowboy-inspired outfit, choosing instead to pull from old photos I've seen in the Ralph Lauren archives. Though not pictured, I did wear my Cafe Society hat again—it proved to be the perfect piece of sun protection for the occasion—styled with a vintage Max Mara linen waistcoat and the white Lafayette 148 A-line skirt that I got at the end of the summer and have already worn to NYFW and all around Italy on my recent vacation there. It's proving to be far more practical than I initially thought, and was a stellar choice for the weather. Naturally, the last add on was the one pair of cowboy boots that I packed for the trip, a distressed style from Free People that I got for a dinner the brand was having a few months ago. By way of a miracle, there was no break-in process necessary with them, so my feet were very happy to get some relief after two days of walking around Circuit of the Americas' dusty parking lot and hilly grounds. 

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Shop more Westerncore items for fall: 

If you're simultaneously obsessed with the latest micro-trends and too intimidated to test them out, you've come to the right place. This is Ways to Wear, a monthly series where editor Eliza Huber offers a dose of outfit inspiration centered around current trends that feel intriguing yet overwhelming at the same time. Consider it your guide to actually wearing the coolest items of the moment, no matter how puzzling they might appear at first.

Jeans for fall? Groundbreaking. Every time September rolls around, we all run to grab our denim that's been gathering dust in the heat of summer, replaced by cutoffs (or, if you're me, hot pants). This year, I've found myself only strolling over to my jeans, not sprinting like usual. Instead, I've been grabbing for another pant silhouette: track pants.

Following sightings in collections by Wales Bonner, Tibi, Miu Miu, and more designers that are all bringing a sense of chicness and stylization to the sporty aesthetic, track pants are quickly becoming the bottoms to wear when jeans just won't cut it. They're best when paired with unexpected tops and footwear, and the key to styling your pairs is doing so in an entirely non-fitness fashion and acting as if they were any other trousers that you'd style alongside kitten heels, statement handbags, and tops that don't include a built-in sports bra.

To help in the styling department, find a handful of ways to wear fashion's new favorite denim replacement below.

How I styled track pants during NYFW:

Wearing: Tibi Active Knit Scottie Striped Jogger ($445), top, and Croc Print Victor Slingback ($595); Prada Supernova Bag ($4100); Linda Farrow sunglasses

For day three of New York Fashion Week, I knew I wanted to wear Tibi track pants since the brand's show was that day, and its Active Scottie Joggers are one of my favorite items to come out of the NYC-based label in a few seasons now. I bought a pair in royal blue weeks before fashion week during the end-of-summer sales but opted for this striped pair since I love the homage to the classic Adidas track pants I grew up wearing. Instead of playing too far into the sporty aesthetic, I dressed up the trousers with what stylist Allison Bornstein refers to as the "wrong shoes," or footwear that would normally be considered a bad match for the rest of your outfit. Here, it just worked. I also added a Tibi bandana-tie strapless top, my green Prada Supernova bag for a pop of color, oval sunglasses, and silver jewelry. 

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How other fashion people are styling them:

Elsewhere in NYC, Magasin founder and EIC Laura Reilly styled her Adidas wide-leg track pants with flat slides, a simple white tank, and a fitted gray blazer. Easy and chic yet completely unexpected, the look checks off every box on the checklist titled "How to put together a great outfit." 

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When your pants are this cool, you don't need a whole lot else to craft a stellar outfit. That's the great thing about a statement piece like track pants. They speak for themselves. Just add a tank or tee, sneakers, and a bold handbag, and voilà! A look destined for compliments and praise. 

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We can't talk about the track-pant trend without acknowledging Grace Wales Bonner and her beloved collaboration with Adidas, which these yellow-stripe trousers are from. Though it's the sneakers from the ongoing collections that get the most acclaim, don't sleep on the RTW. As these pants prove, it's definitely worth taking a look at. 

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If you're one of the many people who trust whatever French women say about clothes, then it's time to buy some track pants and add them to your regular fall rotation, as one of Paris's biggest It girls has given the bottoms her stamp of approval. Anne-Laure Mais, the founder of the beloved label Musier, has been influencing trends for years, and now, her sights are set on track pants. 

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Shop more track pants:

This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

If you're simultaneously obsessed with the latest micro-trends and too intimidated to test them out, you've come to the right place. This is Ways to Wear, a monthly series where editor Eliza Huber offers a dose of outfit inspiration centered around current trends that feel intriguing yet overwhelming at the same time. Consider it your guide to actually wearing the coolest items of the moment, no matter how puzzling they might appear at first.

If you hated the underwear-as-pants trend, you should probably just click out of this story right now before you get invested. The fad at the tip of my tongue right now is equally as divisive, which is probably why it has me in an absolute chokehold. If you know me or have read other iterations of Ways to Wear, you already know that I have an affinity toward anything considered controversial, from snakeskin accessories to tights worn as a pant replacement. It's kind of my thing. So when I started seeing hot pants on Instagram, runways, and the streets (on celebrities like Sophie Turner, Hailey Bieber, and Zoë Kravitz), the microscopic shorts silhouette piqued my interest immediately.

Since hot pants aren't exactly a piece of cake to style, that's exactly what I set out to do, with a goal of crafting six outfits with the pair of cream-colored Galamaar micro-mini shorts/swimsuit bottoms that I own. After spreading out the entire contents of my closet on my bed and concepting about a dozen looks that looked better in my head than they did when I actually put them on, I completed my mission using only pieces that already live in my wardrobe. From super-casual errand outfits to dressed-up going-out looks, scroll down to see all six of the ways I'll be styling my new favorite shorts for the remainder of summer. (For the record, the trend doesn't stop when autumn arrives—just add tights to keep it going all year round.) 

The hot pants I worked with:

Six ways to style them:

Wearing: Galamaar Tap Short ($124); Zara Open-Back Top ($36); Bottega Veneta Cobble Intrecciato-Leather Shoulder Bag ($4600) and Drop Gold-Plated Earrings ($820); Massimo Dutti Square Ballet Flats With Buckled Strap ($149)

At first, it felt weird to put on such a tiny pair of shorts and not immediately slip pants on top of them, but after a few styling attempts, the trend really began to grow on me. It became easier with each endeavor to put outfits together that felt natural to me. Since it's currently shockingly warm in New York City, I paired my hot pants with a backless tank top from Zara and my new Massimo Dutti Mary Jane flats that make walking for hours oddly comfortable. To add some color to the otherwise hushed look, I put on my go-to bag of the summer, an Intrecciato Bottega Veneta shoulder bag that fits all of my essentials and then some, and the Drop Earrings from the same brand that I recently brought back from Milan and haven't taken off since. 

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Wearing: Galamaar Tap Short ($124); Bottega Veneta Sardine Intrecciato Leather Top Handle Bag ($4200) and Drop Gold-Plated Earrings ($820); Margaux The Demi ($225)

This is one of those looks that you never want to take off once you put it on altogether. That might explain why I've worn it twice since I first thought of it just a week ago. With my hot pants, I wore a vintage red shell that I bought at Grand Bazaar, a great flea market on the Upper West Side, earlier this summer; brown suede Margaux ballet flats; and my most prized possession, my new Bottega Veneta Sardine bag, which was another souvenir from my Italy trip. Given how casual and "at home" this style of shorts can appear, I feel that it's essential to use accessories to dress them up as much as possible without making them look like a costume. It's a fine line, but a great pair of earrings and a statement bag are pretty surefire ways to toe it perfectly. 

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Wearing: Dissh Sienna Knit Tank ($70); Prada Angular-Heel Slingback Leather Wedge Pumps ($1023); Galamaar Tap Short ($124); vintage belt

I'm not really one for going-out outfits, usually preferring to stick with whatever I'm wearing for the daytime and adding a dark lip balm for an evening effect, but something about these shorts made me want to go a bit outside of my comfort zone and create an evening-out ensemble with some extra flair to it. For me, that meant throwing on this silver '70s-era chain belt that I found at a great estate sale in the Berkshires last summer with a high-neck, mod-inspired tank and my new Prada wedges that look cool with practically any outfit. 

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Wearing: Galamaar Tap Short ($124); ACNE Studios T-shirt; Tory Burch tote bag; vintage boots

Sometimes in the summer, all I want to wear is a big T-shirt and a baseball cap and be on my way. Though, I'll always add special touches to the combo to make it feel slightly more stylized. The hot pants do just that, as do these vintage motorcycle boots that I'm using as a placeholder until I can afford to buy Miu Miu's buckled-up pair from its F/W 22 collection. I wore this look to run errands nearby home before going to read in Central Park, and it was, dare I say, perfect. 

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Wearing: Galamaar Tap Short ($124); Massimo Dutti tank; Wrangler x Gant blazer; Prada Angular-Heel Slingback Leather Wedge Pumps ($1023)

I've had this outfit roughly planned in my head ever since I saw that now-viral photo of Kendall Jenner in New York City last month wearing a navy-blue oversize blazer and a Yankees cap without bottoms. Obsessed, I saved it for future inspiration, and when it came time to brainstorm looks for this story, I knew I had my chance. I love the mix of sporty and dressed-up pieces, with the hat and the heels creating an interesting and unexpected juxtaposition. It's one of those outfits that feels like it won't make sense until it's on, and then everything just clicks.

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Wearing: Prada Angular-Heel Slingback Leather Wedge Pumps ($1023) and Re-Edition 1995 Carolyn Nappa Leather Bag ($3200); Zara blazer; Galamaar Tap Short ($124)

I bought this blazer during the Zara sale after seeing it on three of my fellow editors at Who What Wear, thinking that I'd wear it casually with jeans or dressed up with a voluminous A-line skirt à la Prada. I didn't, however, expect to style it with hot pants, but I'm not mad about the way that it turned out. I love the "business on top, NSFW on the bottom" feeling of this outfit, especially after the risqué-office-attire trend rocked the fall/winter 2023 runways at Ferragamo, Prada, and more.

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Shop my hot pants in more colors:

More hot pants to try:

Coming up next: 9 Major Trends That Will Define Fall 2023 Fashion

If you're simultaneously obsessed with the latest micro-trends and too intimidated to test them out, you've come to the right place. This is Ways to Wear, a monthly series where editor Eliza Huber offers a dose of outfit inspiration centred around current trends that feel intriguing yet overwhelming at the same time. Consider it your guide to actually wearing the coolest items of the moment, no matter how puzzling they might appear at first.

If I had to pinpoint one item on my Instagram feed that I've spotted the most thus far this summer, I'd name white trousers without a second of hesitation. For reference, the people I follow are primarily involved in the fashion world or the industries surrounding it and mostly live in Europe—specifically France and Italy. Their outfits are, therefore, quintessentially French and Italian, and in the summer, that means they wear low-key yet dangerously chic ensembles that, nine times out of 10, involve white pants.

Despite how laissez-faire their looks appear online, they tend to be harder to re-create than you expect. It's probably because of that whole je ne sais quoi thing that comes naturally to people born there but not so much for those who aren't. Driven by my own frustration, I decided to put my own white-trouser selection to the test, using my skills in the styling department as well as my Instagram-induced knowledge of French and Italian fashion. The result? Seven summer outfits that are centred around the warm-weather bottoms that would fit right into either country between the months of June and August. Below, see how I did and shop the pant trend that French and Italian women swear by during the summer months.

1. High-Neck Tank + Wide-Leg Linen Trousers + Ballet Flats 

Style Notes: The easiest and most European way to wear white trousers is to stick with an all-white colour palette. It looks elegant every single time and allows for whatever accessories you wear to pop. For this take on the monochromatic look, I paired a high-neck ribbed tank from Dissh with wide-leg trousers also from the Australian brand, brown ballet flats, gold drop earrings, and my new favourite Bottega Veneta Sardine bag, which has gold hardware that matches my earrings.

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2. White Halter Top + Drawstring Pants + Trainers

Style Notes: Keeping on with the monochromatic looks, this matching linen set feels very Mediterranean. I recently wore it all around Italy, from Milan to Imola, and have gotten dozens of compliments on its simple and effortless qualities. I love it styled like this with Adidas Sambas, but it could easily be dressed up with kitten-heel sandals, a chic cuff, and some stellar earrings.

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3. Striped Poplin Shirt + White Tank + Linen Trousers + Clogs

Style Notes: Of all the ways that white trousers are styled on Instagram, this is probably the general combination I spot most often. Super casual and comfortable yet put-together, this copy-worthy ensemble—a striped button-down shirt, a white tank, baggy linen pants, and clogs—defies the odds in more ways than one.

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4. White Waistcoat + Matching Trousers + Thong Sandals + Shoulder Bag

Style Notes: Grey and black waistcoat suits are all I saw anyone in Europe wearing in the winter months, but in the summer, it's all about white alternatives to the trendy, tailored combo. To stylize the duo, I always add bold earrings and a contrasting handbag, which, in this case, are both by Bottega Veneta. After all, just like anything else, there is a such thing as wearing too much white. For even more colour, I slid on a pair of thong-style sandals.

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5. Sporty Vest + Lightweight White Trousers + Sneakers

Style Notes: I'd usually credit Londoners for coming up with fresh, cool ways to make sporty look chic, but when it comes to athletic vests, Prada Sport is always the brand I think of. For one time only, I'm giving credence to the Italians. Here, I took a pair of super-lightweight trousers and styled them with a navy-blue Adidas vest from the '90s, Adidas x Wales Bonner Japan sneakers, and my favourite Prada 1995 Re-Edition bag. Comfortable, nostalgic, and smart, this outfit—if I dare say so myself—checks off every summer box.

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6. White Button-Down Shirt + White Pull-On Pants + Ballet Flats 

Style Notes: If you're going on vacation this summer, this white-pant outfit should 1000% be in your carry-on. A simple white button-down shirt, white pull-on trousers, ballet flats, and a great bag will pair perfectly with any travel destination. Plus, each item can be worn separately as well, so you really get multiple outfits in one.

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7. White Tank Top + Matching Low-Rise Trousers + Mules + Scarf

Style Notes: I know it's risky, but I personally love an all-white going-out look in the summer. The colour scheme is too often reserved for daytime activities only, but if you own a chic monochromatic top-and-bottom duo like this one from Buci, it simply must be shown off during the latter hours of the night. Just don't forget to put a Tide stick in your purse in case of spill-related emergencies as well as a napkin on your lap at dinner.

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This story originally appeared on Who What Wear U.S.

If you're simultaneously obsessed with the latest micro-trends and too intimidated to test them out, you've come to the right place. This is Ways to Wear, a monthly series where editor Eliza Huber offers a dose of outfit inspiration centered on current trends that feel intriguing yet overwhelming at the same time. Consider it your guide to actually wearing the coolest items of the moment, no matter how puzzling they might appear at first.

If I had to pinpoint one item on my Instagram feed that I've spotted the most thus far this summer, I'd name white trousers without a second of hesitation. For reference, the people I follow are primarily involved in the fashion world or the industries surrounding it and mostly live in Europe—specifically France and Italy. Their outfits are, therefore, quintessentially French and Italian, and in the summer, that means they wear low-key yet dangerously chic ensembles that, nine times out of 10, involve white pants.

Despite how laissez-faire their looks appear online, they tend to be harder to re-create than you expect. It's probably because of that whole je ne sais quoi thing that comes naturally to people born there but not so much for those who aren't. Driven by my own frustration, I decided to put my white-trouser selection to the test, using my skills in the styling department as well as my Instagram-induced knowledge of French and Italian fashion. The result? Seven summer outfits that are centered on the warm-weather bottoms that would fit right into either country between June and August. Below, see how I did and shop the pant trend that French and Italian women swear by during the summer months.

Outfit 1: High-Neck Tank + Wide-Leg Linen Trousers + Ballet Flats 

The easiest and most European way to wear white trousers is to stick with an all-white color palette. It looks elegant every single time and allows for whatever accessories you wear to pop. For this take on the monochromatic look, I paired a high-neck ribbed tank with wide-leg trousers, brown ballet flats, gold drop earrings, and my new favorite Bottega Veneta Sardine bag, which has gold hardware that matches my earrings.

Shop the look:

Outfit 2: White Halter Top + Matching Drawstring Pants + Sneakers

Keeping on with the monochromatic look, this matching set feels very Mediterranean. I wore it all around Italy, from Milan to Imola, and have gotten dozens of compliments on its effortless qualities. I love it styled like this with Adidas Sambas, but it could easily be dressed up with kitten-heel sandals, a chic cuff, and some stellar earrings.

Shop the look:

Outfit 3: Striped Poplin Shirt + White Tank + Linen Trousers + Clogs

Of all the ways that white trousers are styled on Instagram, this is probably the general combination I spot most often. Super casual and comfortable yet put-together, this copy-worthy ensemble—a striped button-down shirt, a white tank, baggy linen pants, and clogs—defies the odds in more ways than one.

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Outfit 4: White Waistcoat + Matching Trousers + Thong Sandals + Shoulder Bag

Gray and black waistcoat suits are all I saw anyone in Europe wearing in the winter months, but in the summer, it's all about white alternatives to the trendy, tailored combo. To stylize the duo, I always add bold earrings and a contrasting handbag, which, in this case, are both by Bottega Veneta. After all, just like anything else, there is a such thing as wearing too much white. For even more color, I slid on a pair of burgundy thong-style sandals.

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Outfit 5: Sporty Vest + Lightweight White Trousers + Sneakers

I'd usually credit Londoners for coming up with fresh, cool ways to make sporty look chic, but when it comes to athletic vests, Prada Sport is always the brand I think of. For one time only, I'm giving credence to the Italians. Here, I took a pair of super-lightweight COS trousers and styled them with a navy-blue Adidas vest from the '90s, Adidas x Wales Bonner Japan sneakers, and my favorite Prada 1995 Re-Edition bag. Comfortable, nostalgic, and smart, this outfit—if I dare say so myself—checks off every summer box.

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Outfit 6: White Button-Down Shirt + White Pull-On Pants + Ballet Flats 

If you're going on vacation this summer, this white-pant outfit should 1000% be in your carry-on. A simple white button-down shirt, white pull-on trousers, ballet flats, and a great bag will pair perfectly with any travel destination. Plus, each item can be worn separately as well, so you really get multiple outfits in one.

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Outfit 7: White Tank Top + Matching Low-Rise Trousers + Mules + Scarf

I know it's risky, but I personally love an all-white going-out look in the summer. The color scheme is too often reserved for daytime activities only, but if you own a chic monochromatic top-and-bottom duo like this one, it simply must be shown off during the latter hours of the night. Just don't forget to put a Tide stick in your purse in case of spill-related emergencies, as well as a napkin on your lap at dinner.

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This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

If you're simultaneously obsessed with the latest micro-trends and too intimidated to test them out, you've come to the right place. This is Ways to Wear, a monthly series where editor Eliza Huber offers a dose of outfit inspiration centered around current trends that feel intriguing yet overwhelming at the same time. Consider it your guide to actually wearing the coolest items of the moment, no matter how puzzling they might appear at first.

Time and again, Miuccia Prada arrives at fashion month with a wealth of new ideas, both for the family business Prada and the brand she herself created, Miu Miu, in 1993. The fall/winter 2023 season was no different. This time around at Miu Miu, Prada's collection seemed to zero in on the beauty in imperfection, showcasing models looking intentionally frazzled while dressed in pieces that aren't usually considered chic or "fashion," like leggings, sweater sets, and most, significantly, hoodies, which are quickly becoming one of the most talked-about trends of the moment. 

"Through examination and study, clothes are shifted both in structure and their placement on the body," a press release from the show reads. "Familiar items—twinsets, knee-length skirts, hooded sweatshirts—move around the figure, afforded different strengths and fragilities through their fabrication." In more words, Prada was able to breathe new life into pieces that have long been overlooked through high-quality construction, interesting proportions, and intentional styling. 

As usual, the designer tapped stylist Lotta Volkova to demonstrate the coolest ways to wear the collection's offerings, putting simple gray hoodies underneath leather and herringbone peacoats and on top of buttoned-up cashmere cardigans and turtlenecks. With them, some models wore soft leggings and sneakers, and others skipped pants altogether, donning just briefs, tights, and open-toe heels for a more lustrous take on the basic layering piece. From the show, one could easily take away that the possibilities are endless when it comes to wearing hooded sweatshirts in 2023. Then again, everything looks better on the runway, especially when it's located at the beautiful Palais d'Iéna in Paris. Bringing them off the runway and into the real world is the truest test, which is why I decided to tackle the budding hoodie trend for my latest installment of Ways to Wear. 

Below, discover my takes on four hoodie-clad looks from Miu Miu's F/W 23 show and shop the basic that's gearing up for total domination. 

In all likelihood, you already own every piece necessary to re-create this look, from the leggings to the turtleneck sweater to the casual gray hoodie layered on top of it. What Volkova did that was so groundbreaking was put them all together, creating interesting proportions, shapes, and color combinations and adding details like statement earrings and peekaboo tights. Luckily, those are items we all have in our wardrobes or can easily add to them. For my take, I took a cashmere turtleneck I got last winter from Brooks Brothers and added a white zip-up, a camel-colored peacoat, and a pair of black leggings that have otherwise only known the inside of my local Planet Fitness. With those garments, I wore sheer tights, Nike sneakers, and luxury accessories, including my Prada 1995 Re-Edition bag, Jenny Bird earrings, and Linda Farrow oval sunglasses. The result? An outfit I could comfortably wear to pick up groceries or attend a fashion event. 

Wearing: Los Angeles Apparel Cropped Heavy Fleece Zip Up Hooded Sweatshirt ($60); Nanushka coat; Brooks Brothers sweater; All Access leggings; Nike Zoom Vomero 5 Sneakers ($208); Prada bag; Linda Farrow sunglasses

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Going pants-less is practically second nature for me now given how many times I've test-driven the growing runway trend, which kicked off during the spring/summer 2023 season at Bottega Veneta and spread like wildfire throughout fall fashion month in February. Miu Miu's take this season was especially alluring because of the way it was balanced out with heavier layers on top, including sweatshirts, peacoats, and more. Pretty peep-toe heels added a touch of elegance to the otherwise laissez-faire, almost forgettable ensembles. To re-create the look IRL, I took a herringbone peacoat from COS and layered it underneath a gray hoodie and charcoal-colored cashmere crew-neck that I stole from my dad's closet years ago. On the bottom, I wore my trusty Calzedonia tights, Reformation briefs, and cream-colored Paige sandals that give just the amount of height that's necessary when you're not wearing anything but underwear and hosiery. 

Wearing: COS Herringbone Coat ($350); Los Angeles Apparel Heavy Fleece Zip Up Hooded Sweatshirt ($65); Calzedonia 30 Denier Total Comfort Soft Touch Tights ($15); Paige Tatum Mule ($268); Prada bag; Linda Farrow sunglasses

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I'm a sucker for anything that gives off incognito energy. This is probably because I live in one of the busiest neighborhoods in one of the most populous cities in the world and prefer to fly under the radar 99% of the time. So when I see a look like this one that includes a hood—a great tool for hiding in plain sight—and a big coat, I fall hard and fast and probably want to replicate it as soon as possible. So that's exactly what I did. To further lean into the hooded-figure aesthetic, I added my go-to sunglasses from Linda Farrow, the one accessory I truly never ever leave home without. 

Wearing: Mango Tailored Oversize Wool Coat ($230); Los Angeles Apparel Heavy Fleece Zip Up Hooded Sweatshirt ($65); Boden cardigan; All Access leggings; Nike Zoom Vomero 5 Sneakers ($208); Prada bag; Linda Farrow sunglasses

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If you're really into the hoodie trend like I am, you'll probably love this look the most, as it doesn't hold back from allowing the mid-layer to be the star of the show. No fancy outerwear involved—only a gray hoodie and some knitwear. Hell, there aren't even pants in the picture to distract from the main event. During my test, I found that accessories are a key to pulling off this ensemble, as you want pieces that elevate a hoodie and tights to make it less "walk of shame" and more Miu Miu. As such, my bag, earrings, timepiece, and heels played an important role. I also think layering underneath the sweatshirt makes a big difference, specifically the white top peaking out from underneath my knitwear. It adds necessary dimension to an otherwise simple outfit. 

Wearing: Los Angeles Apparel Heavy Fleece Zip Up Hooded Sweatshirt ($65); Boden cardigan; Reformation briefs; Calzedonia 30 Denier Total Comfort Soft Touch Tights ($15); Paige Tatum Mule ($268); Prada bag; Linda Farrow sunglasses

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Coming up next: 9 Major Trends That Will Define Fall 2023 Fashion

If you're simultaneously obsessed with the latest micro-trends and too intimidated to test them out, you've come to the right place. This is Ways to Wear, a monthly series where editor Eliza Huber offers a dose of outfit inspiration centered around current trends that feel intriguing yet overwhelming at the same time. Consider it your guide to actually wearing the coolest items of the moment, no matter how puzzling they might appear at first.

Anyone who's been keeping up with fashion month will back me when I say that the color red is impossible to escape. From the streets outside of shows to the collections presented at them, the bold shade has become practically synonymous with the fall/winter 2023 season. And while the handbags, heels, dresses, and more that have been dyed a bright-red hue of late are certainly tempting, there's one genre that's particularly intriguing: red hosiery. 

If you'd asked me six months ago if I'd be able to style red tights or socks with the contents of my wardrobe, I'd probably have scoffed in your face (sorry). But after lots of image research and hours of test-driving different outfit combinations, I came to the realization that the accessories in question weren't as intimidating as I initially thought. In fact, they're quite easy to incorporate into any outfit once you get the hang of them. 

To put to rest any red tights- or socks-related qualms or hesitations once and for all, I decided to document four ways I styled them for NYFW runway shows and casual office days alike. My prediction? Before long, red hosiery of all kinds won't just be ubiquitous during fashion month. It'll be everywhere, all the time. And I, for one, am absolutely here for it. 

Wearing: Khaite dress; Calzedonia tights; By Far heels; Prada bag; Linda Farrow Cara Oval Acetate Sunglasses ($359)

As much as I'd like to take all the credit for drafting this outfit, I actually got the inspiration from one posted by Sofie Ken, the co-founder of the Copenhagen-based brand Tour-Lava. Her look was one of the first really alluring takes on the red-tights trend that I saw, thus it quickly made its way onto a now very large mood board. I love the contrasting colors with the red and green, as well as the black color palette broken up by standout shades. For someone like me who's so used to wearing only neutrals, I couldn't get myself to jump straight into donning color with a ton of super-vibrant pieces and bright-red tights. This way, I could ease into it with pieces I was already comfortable with in my closet. 

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Wearing: Zara Asymmetric Tunic ($129); Jimmy Choo boots; Prada bag; Linda Farrow Cara Oval Acetate Sunglasses ($359); Calzedonia tights; Jenny Bird Izabella Collar ($230)

So much for slowly integrating bolder shades into my wardrobe. Though my intentions were good at first, fashion week got a bit in the way, leading me to dive straight into the whole bright-colors thing with a red dress, matching red tights, and my go-to green bag. Though it's giving a mix of Christmas and the green and red apple emojis, I've grown quite fond of this color combo, especially in this outfit. The dress is super drapey and almost entirely see-through, so it was a perfect match for my red tights. (Tip: If you don't have proper no-show underwear to wear with a sheer dress, just wear tights that match it.) To balance out and elevate the look, I added silver jewelry and knee-high vintage Jimmy Choo boots. 

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Wearing: Vintage jacket; Celine belt; Khaite skirt; Uniqlo socks; BY FAR heels; Prada bag

One thing I've learned from this styling experience is that sometimes the pieces that make the most significant impact on an outfit are the smallest ones. Case in point? My red Uniqlo socks and matching Celine belt, which I somehow didn't buy to go together despite them matching perfectly. Separately, both pieces are strong, but they pack the biggest punch when worn as a duo, pulling together this otherwise low-key, leather-jacket–and–denim-skirt look that I wore for a day at the office and a post-work, pre-NYFW event at Fashionphile. The final touch arrived in the form of golden-hour lighting inside the resale brand's westside office.

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Wearing: Zara Fitted Crop Blazer ($70); Tibi jeans; Haus Label V-Neck Bodysuit ($198); Martiniano Glove Shoe ($470); Wolford Opaque Tights ($175); Prada bag; Linda Farrow Cara Oval Acetate Sunglasses ($359)

I knew all along that I wanted to wear at least one red-tights look that barely showed the actual tights but only gave a hint of them with movement, so when I invested in the sold-out Sid jeans from Tibi, I knew they were the perfect hiding place. With them, I added a pair of shiny Wolford tights, a matching red Haus Label bodysuit, black flats, and a cropped Zara blazer. I love the idea of wearing a statement item like red tights in a super casual, nonchalant way. It feels very "if you know, you know" vibes.

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Shop More Red Tights and Socks

Up Next: Introducing the Single Most Dominant Color Trend From Fashion Month so Far

If you're simultaneously obsessed with the latest micro-trends and too intimidated to test them out, you've come to the right place. This is Ways to Wear, a monthly series where editor Eliza Huber offers a dose of outfit inspiration centered around current trends that feel intriguing yet overwhelming at the same time. Consider it your guide to actually wearing the coolest items of the moment, no matter how puzzling they might appear at first.

Everything about getting dressed for an office setting lacks excitement—suits that don't fit, materials that itch in the too-warm cubicle-lined workspaces, and stockings that run after every wear. Rather, that all was the situation in the officewear department. But after the corporate look began trending on the runway post-lockdown, everything's changed when it comes to work attire. 

Pencil skirts, waistcoats, briefcase bags, and tailored blazers—many of 2023's most-wanted trends stem from the attire and accessories that we often associate with corporate settings thanks to labels like Prada, Saint Laurent, Victoria Beckham, Peter Do, and more, all of which have been emphasizing the office aesthetic in their recent runway collections. SFW ties, pinstripes, Oxford button-down shirts, pocket squares, and kitten-heel pumps have also made appearances. These items once could have been described as blasé essentials for your 9-to-5, but with input from Miuccia Prada, Raf Simons, Anthony Vaccarello, and more, new life's been blown into every last one of them, formally ending the notion that getting dressed for work is a mundane task that'll never result in a great outfit. 

For proof, see four looks below that are as chic as they are HR approved (mostly). 

Wearing: Reformation Billie Vest ($168) and Stevie Pant ($198); Linda Farrow sunglasses; Bottega Veneta Cobble Intrecciato-Leather Shoulder Bag ($4600)

There's nothing boring about this Reformation suit—period. First off, the Billie Vest, a high-neck longline waistcoat that comes in two fabrics and multiple colors, is one of those pieces that just works with everything it's paired with, be it trousers or jeans, a tailored maxi skirt, or a sheer midi (for after work hours, of course). The way it fits the body makes it feel almost custom-made and so elegant, two traits that most standard workwear lacks. Then, we have the Stevie Pants, which look like plain black trousers when paired with the longer vest but actually feature a statement fold-over waist detail that adds just the right amount of style to an otherwise simple silhouette. With the duo, I added one of my favorite handbags for work, as it's able to be swapped from a shoulder bag to a crossbody with just a few easy adjustments. It holds all of my essentials, and these vintage kitten heels are comfortable all day but also chic and professional. 

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Wearing: Liberowe Cropped Nehru Shirt ($632); Nili Lotan Pippa Tailored Twill Pencil Skirt ($495); Prada shoes and Supernova Tote Bag ($2696)

Fine, so a crop top, no matter how tailored to perfection it is, might not be the most appropriate garment to wear to the office, but let a girl dream. Even so, the look is there, so to get the vibe in an HR-safe manner, I trade in my Liberowe shirt for a slightly longer poplin alternative that can either rest right at the waist of your pencil skirt or tuck perfectly into it. I particularly love this combination because of the green and gray together. I think what officewear often lacks is that touch of vibrancy that this bag brings. The same can come from a great pair of heels, a bright blouse underneath a blazer, or a scarf.

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Wearing: Boden sweater; Lafayette 148 Pleated Organic Cotton Poplin Midi Skirt ($798); Prada shoes and Re-Edition 1995 Carolyn Nappa Leather Bag ($3500)

The white A-line skirt is everywhere right now for fall, mostly because of how much the silhouette was featured in Prada's F/W 23 collection. While it isn't one of the most stereotypically corporate items of the bunch, it no doubt adds a touch of freshness to the office wardrobe, which mostly consists of gray, black, and navy hyper-structured garments. Here, I styled mine with a cashmere vest to add some more autumnal elements, but this same effect could be captured with a cashmere sweater or a fitted blazer. 

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Wearing: COS Oversized Tailored Shirt ($99); Gabriel for Sach skirt; Prada shoes and Re-Edition 1995 Carolyn Nappa Leather Bag ($3500)

No combo screams "I've just had a long day at work, but at least my outfit still looks good" quite like a tucked-in button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and more than one button undone paired with a pencil skirt, heels, and a briefcase bag. It has an effortless, lived-in quality about it that I've always loved to spot in films and TV shows from the '80s and '90s. Here, I re-created the aesthetic with a cornflower-blue shirt from COS and a charcoal pencil skirt from Gabriel for Sach that I've been wanting to break out for months now. Keeping with the '90s vibe, I carried my Re-Edition 1995 Prada bag and some extra-pointy slingbacks from the same brand. I ended up wearing this look from the office to post-work drinks and felt more like a 9-to-5 woman than I maybe ever have given how informal working in a fashion office tends to be. 

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If you're simultaneously obsessed with the latest micro-trends but too intimidated to test them out, you've come to the right place. This is Ways to Wear, a monthly series where editor Eliza Huber offers a dose of outfit inspiration centered around current trends that feel intriguing and overwhelming at the same time. Consider it your guide to actually wearing the coolest items of the moment, no matter how puzzling they might appear at first.

As someone who tests trends for a living, it's rare for one to stump me. Whether it's wearing underwear as pants on the streets of New York or trying a whale tail, I'll wear anything once—and probably a few more times after that. One of the only fashion trends to ever throw me is snakeskin. While I can wear a leopard-print bikini or a cow-print coat, something about snakeskin has always felt especially intimidating, making the print seem hard to style in a nonchalant way.

But when I noticed the print gathering momentum after spring/summer 2023 runway shows last September—it was especially prevalent in Khaite and 16Arlington's collections—I knew it was time to crack the code and figure out how to wear snakeskin right. Four items, five looks, and plenty of discarded combinations later, I can finally say I'm no longer intimidated by spring's fastest-growing print. In fact, I'm more than ready to embrace it. Prepare yourself for the same conclusion by scrolling down. 

How snakeskin was styled on S/S 23 runways:

How I'm styling snakeskin in 2023:

A snakeskin belt is the easiest way to add the print to your wardrobe in a low-key manner. No matter how simple your outfit is, finishing it with a python-print belt will take it up a few dozen notches in five seconds or less. Just look what it did for the simple barrel-leg jeans and black top I'm wearing above.

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I've always loved a leather motorcycle jacket but never thought about expanding my collection to include new prints. Now that I think about it, every moto jacket I've owned has been black. But for the sake of this story, I ventured out of my comfort zone and chose a snake-print alternative for my latest addition, styling it with my go-to denim maxi skirt and a high-neck black tank. Whether it's with the outfit above or over a classic jeans-and-tee ensemble, this jacket has been surprisingly almost too easy to throw on. 

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I love an everyday bag that goes with everything just as much as the next person, but sometimes only a statement purse will do the trick—especially when your outfit leans toward the plain side and needs something to liven it up. If and when that's the case, I suggest grabbing the snakeskin version of Staud's iconic Moon bag. 

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There's almost nothing I rely on more sartorially than a really good coat. As someone who's never had the pleasure of living somewhere with perpetually good weather, I've long required them to not only keep me warm but also cover up my laundry-day outfits. So, when I stumbled across this floor-length faux-snakeskin coat at Nanushka's SoHo store the other day, I knew I had to test it out. My analysis: It's a keeper. 

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The snakeskin belt trick doesn't work only with super-simple ensembles like jeans and a tank top. It's just as effective with suit pieces, a maxi dress, or a chic maxi skirt. Above, I paired it with a waistcoat and trousers that needed something in between to break up the monochrome look. It was just what the doctor ordered. 

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Next up: I'm Sorry, or You're Welcome—7 Print Trends That Will Define Spring Fashion

If you're simultaneously obsessed with the latest micro-trends and too intimidated to test them out, you've come to the right place. This is Ways to Wear, a monthly series where editor Eliza Huber offers a dose of outfit inspiration focused on current trends that feel intriguing yet overwhelming at the same time. Consider it your guide to actually wearing the coolest items of the moment, no matter how puzzling they might appear at first.

Even the chicest outfits can fall flat sometimes if they're missing a certain level of oomf. Everything about them can be perfect, from the fit to the color combinations and so on, but without that finishing touch that ties it all together, the sartorial spark will never light. And right now, the easiest and most cost-effective way to fire up your outfits is with hosiery. Yes, I said hosiery, and no, I don't mean pantyhose. 

From red and burgundy tights to knee-high sheer socks, the world of hosiery is one full of possibilities. And of all the leg décor that's trending among fashion people this year, the style making the most significant impact by far is fishnets. Once considered tacky and more than a touch costumey, in recent seasons, the latticed tights have received a dressed-up makeover, with brands such as Gucci, Tory Burch, and Victoria Beckham pairing them with elegant dresses and separates, adding a touch of intrigue to every combination. They balance out any outfit, ensuring that no ensemble ever risks being called boring. 

Because of their popularity on the runway as well as their affordable nature, fishnets have taken off on IG, with outfits featuring the leg coverings appearing on all of the year's best dressers, from editors to stylists to influencers. On their feeds, you'll find fishnets styled underneath skirts, dresses, trousers, and jeans, worn with boots and heels alike and even accessorized with anklets on top for added flavor. Really, as weird as it sounds, the tights we all once cringed at kind of go with everything. 

Since I can only assume that many of you aren't quite convinced that wearing fishnets with *everything* is feasible, I challenged myself to do just that, styling my favorite $15 pair of micro-net tights from Calzedonia in four ways, all of which can be easily replicated with pieces that already live in your closet, including slip dresses, midi skirts, jeans, and more. Scroll down to see how I did. Hell, maybe once you see my methods for wearing the cheap and easy trend, you'll be willing to give fishnets another chance. 

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4 ways to wear fishnets:

By far, the easiest way to style fishnets if you're going into the trend a bit hesitant is to wear something with them that allows for the tights to only peek out a tiny bit. Here, I styled a midi-length denim Khaite skirt with an off-the-shoulder top, a long winter coat, and knee-high stiletto boots. That way, you could really only spot the lattice print when I walked and the slit in my skirt opened up. Though subtle, the difference they make to the look is significant in that it would otherwise be slightly boring given its monochrome black palette. The hosiery makes the ensemble feel 10 times more intentional. 

Wearing: Abercrombie & Fitch Cotton-Modal Ruched Off-the-Shoulder Top ($21); COS Oversized Double-Breasted Wool Coat ($390); Khaite skirt; Calzedonia Micronet Tights ($15); Tanner Goods Meridian Belt ($92); Jimmy Choo boots

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