Twice a year, if you make your way to the centre of Milan and get your timings just right, you might be able to catch a first-hand glimpse of some of the best street style that the industry can garner. Attracting the world's best dressed, Prada's runway shows are an excellent place to hang around if you're in the market for a dose of styling inspiration. And this afternoon, as Miuccia Prada unveiled the house’s spring/summer 2027 collection, some of the city’s chicest names gathered outside the show—and, among the procession of knee-length skirts and buckle-clad shoes, I spotted an emerging winter colour trend that's beginning to break through.

Dressed in letterbox red, Alexa Chung arrived in a vibrant button-down styled with one of Prada’s signature knee-length skirts. The bold primary shade brought energy to her otherwise understated look, whilst the polished, classic cut of her shirt kept the colour feeling sophisticated.

Not the only one tapping into the shade, I also spotted Uma Thurman in a short-sleeved fine-knit top in the same tomato red, worn with a khaki skirt.

Whilst fashion people may still be preoccupied with mermaid-style turquoise and are beginning to embrace royal purple, the chicest people in Milan are already making room for winter's forthcoming palette. And if you’re looking for an easy way to wear it, a top or knit is a particularly polished place to start.

Ever inspired by the Prada girls, read on to discover the red tops I’m recommending now.

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From the moment Alexa Chung put on a Peter Pan-collared shirt and leather shorts, the model-turned-fashion muse has remained a beacon of effortlessly cool style. Though her twee days are long behind her, sure, there might be a glimpse of a Paddington Bear-style duffle coat here and there, there’s no denying that she’s been a guiding light for many looking for inspiration against a merciless trend cycle.

Still, there’s no denying her influence in dictating these trends either, from the Mulberry bag named after her to the rise of her signature stovepipe jeans. Still, whether she’s capturing her covetable ensembles on her Ring doorbell camera or walking the runway at Chloé, we can’t seem to get enough of what she wears.

This is probably due to the fact that she herself has never been bound to a particularly strict uniform. Take her latest look, for instance. Arriving back in time for London Fashion Week, the original It girl defied every expectation for what you’d think a sleek travel outfit would look like, turning up at London City Airport wearing a raglan tee, a gingham print skirt and Staud’s Maude Carryall in Black Croco.

For those of us who have been constrained to a regimented formula of flying loose jeans and practical trainers, this look just gave us permission to throw this convention to the wind and take to the skies in whatever your interpretation of comfortable dressing is.

Of course, given this is the woman who prompted Alex Turner to write “my mouth hasn't shut up about you since you kissed it”, her rendition of cosy basics was bound to be coveted essentials.

Her raglan top, for instance, has become a quiet staple among tastemakers, including Zoë Kravitz and Hailey Bieber, who have both worn styles from Auralee and CouCou intimates alike. With Chung’s piece, the khaki and black colour combination ushers in autumn’s arrival with this very apt colour palette, but doesn’t make dressing for the season feel like a costume, given she’s paired it with a very balmy checkered skirt.

Safe to say, cool girls who worship Chung have just been given permission to ditch the basic travel sweat and opt for something far more intrepid.

Shop Alexa Chung's Airport Outfit:

I’ve always found conversations around celebrity style rather compelling. Some in the fashion industry insist that if a person has an army of stylists and assistants at their disposal, they can't really claim to have good taste. But, in my opinion, knowing exactly who to call to translate your personal style into a look that pushes the needle is a form of discernment in itself.

Regardless of where you land, we can't argue that some celebrities do have impeccable taste. Case in point: Sienna Miller's high-low bohemian mix, Jennifer Lawrence’s very relatable "everywoman" off-duty uniform and the endlessly influential stylings of Hailey Bieber and Zoë Kravitz; these women just get clothes. And I wanted to know the exact pieces in their wardrobes.

Whilst it's true that much of what celebrities wear is gifted, loaned or sponsored, there are certain pieces they genuinely invest in—and, crucially, keep wearing, from the shoes that appear season after season to that bag that never leaves their arm or the pair of jeans that look good with absolutely everything. Below, you'll find nine pieces your favourite famous It girls have genuinely bought and frequently wear. You're welcome.

The 9 Pieces Our Favourite Celebrity It Girls Are Wearing Now

1. Alexa Chung

Style Notes: I had to start with Alexa Chung. Whether she’s embracing prep, going full rock and roll or leaving us all coveting her latest vintage find, her style is nothing short of impeccable. And this year, her Burberry Mid-Length Camden Heritage Car Coat continues to be her go-to outerwear. Whether styled with almost-skinny straight-leg jeans or a Miu Miu cotton knee-length dress and white cap, this is a truly timeless investment.

Shop Alexa's Burberry Mid-Length Camden Heritage Car Coat:

2. Jennifer Lawrence

Style Notes: Whether she’s running errands in New York City or posing for the paparazzi at Dior's Paris Fashion Week show, any follower of Jennifer Lawrence's style knows that she’s rarely spotted in anything but a loose pair of jeans, tank top and a functional bag. And this year, she's all about the Cigale. Debuting during Jonathan Anderson's spring/summer 2026 collection, its sleek east-west silhouette, minimalist single strap and open-top construction blends together several of the biggest handbag trends with ease. Plus, it looks particularly chic with a statement-making fur-trimmed coat, slouchy pair of jeans and a fitted top, too.

Shop her Dior Cigale Bag:

3. Jennifer Aniston

Style Notes: On the other hand, Jennifer Aniston has been a devotee of the sleek Celine Soft Triomphe Halfmoon bag— and who could blame her. Minimal by nature and endlessly versatile, style-wise, this is the perfect bag to take you from a morning interview to drinks with the girls. Just ask Jen Ann.

Shop her Celine Soft Triomphe Halfmoon Bag:

4. Elsa Hosk

Style Notes: When she’s not selling us on the chic pieces from Mango or posting countless snaps of a seemingly endless summer, model-turned-fashion mogul Elsa Hosk continues to prove that a classic pair of jeans will forever be chic. Whether styled with her rotation of stylish croc Birkins or a baby-blue blouse, Chanel's Cerf Executive Tote and ballet flats, her Helsa 1990s Jean grounds the look in casual perfection.

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5. Hailey Bieber

Style Notes: Whether you want to believe it or not, Hailey Bieber's style is undeniably influential. From her sold-out Gap collaboration to her capsule with Mango, the It girl knows a good shopping pick when she sees one. And in 2026, a piece she’s been particularly enamoured with is the raglan top. We loved her in Cou Cou Intimates’ three-quarter-length with denim shorts and flats, and she's also worn a sportier grey-and-black version with jeans to celebrate her anniversary.

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6. Victoria Beckham

Style Notes: If you’re a follower of Victoria Beckham's style, I’m sure you’re aware that there are countless pieces that could’ve made it onto this list. From her classic white T-shirts to softly tailored bootcut jeans, her 2026 wardrobe is built on a revolving door of timeless pieces that make a case for themselves season after season, just like the peep-toe heels she’s worn all year long. Whether styled with a utility jacket or a soft satin maxi dress, VB isn’t VB unless posed, ready for a picture, in a pair of sculptural pumps.

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7. Zoë Kravitz

Style Notes: Whilst her secret engagement to Harry Styles might have kept Zoë Kravitz's name on the lips of every Gen Z and millennial this year, her quintessential ‘90s style has kept her in the fashion conversation for decades. Case in point: her Saint Laurent Hortense Small Hobo. From its slouchy silhouette to its bronze-tone archival hardware (note the Cassandre ring on the side), everything about this bag quietly screams luxury. Yet its ability to pair so well with a cropped top and low-rise kick-flare jeans is what earned it a place on this list

Shop Zoë's Saint Laurent Hortense Small Hobo:

8. Sienna Miller

Style Notes: As the poster girl for boho fashion, Sienna Miller in Chloé simply had to make this list. Whilst her playful broderie dresses and classic clogs will have to be saved for warmer days, it's her pouch bag that currently has my attention. Leaning into the renewed micro-bag trend we’re seeing this year, it's the perfect finishing touch to just about any look this season.

Shop Sienna's Chloé Bracelet Hobo Bag:

9. Kendall Jenner

Style Notes: Now, you know the arbiter of modern minimalism, Kendall Jenner, has a good few timeless shopping picks up her sleeve. But for all her leggings and stovepipe jeans, she seems to favour her gathered loafers the most. Styled with a sweeping trench coat, midi skirt or trousers, these easy, polished shoes are the gift that keeps on giving. Well, that and the sightings of her with heartthrob Jacob Elordi.

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I'm not going to lie—I had assumed that, collectively, we'd all but agreed that frayed—and, whilst I'm at it, ripped and bleached—jeans were in the graveyard of 2010s trends, safely saved from making a return. But what I hadn't taken into consideration is that, if anyone has the power to revive a forgotten trend, it's Alexa Chung. Having just styled a chic pair of frayed jeans not once but twice, I'm going to have to put frayed denim up there as one of the trends set to ripple out all over again.

Opting for an optic-white pair complete with a textured, frayed hem that grazed her ankle, Alexa has been wearing these retro jeans as though they were a simple pair of blue straight-legs. Spotted first in a photodump, Alexa styled the once-forgotten denim trend with a roomy cotton shirt, balancing the long-line jeans with an elegant pair of ballet flats. With a suitcase in tow, she even confirmed that this jeans trend is worthy of an in-flight outfit.

Spotted in the burgeoning denim trend for a second time, Alexa switched things up with a boxy graphic tee. Whilst they were once a mainstay in the wardrobe of every 2010s fashion person, these undone, ever-so-slightly scruffy jeans perfectly complement the laid-back energy of an era stylistically defined by its indie-sleaze proclivities.

Having come up as a fashion icon in that very same era, I'm hardly surprised to see Alexa give this forgotten jeans trend another spin. And if she's inspired you as much as she has me, read on to shop the frayed jeans I'm recommending for the season below.

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As a beauty editor, part of my job is to report on nail trends, but also pedicure trends that I see emerging on the most well-heeled of feet season to season. Over the summer, I observed the rise of the bare pedicure on tastemakers, quickly following in the footsteps of the bare nail trend we saw earlier in the summer. And for autumn, it seems the fashion set is still forgoing full pedicure colours on their toes, but with an upgrade on the totally bare look.

I spotted this "bare" French pedicure on Alexa Chung recently, and since then, I've been spotting more barely-there French pedicures everywhere on my feeds. Rather than a standard French pedicure with a crisp, defined line, these toes have a healthy flush of sheer pink polish, but paired with a sheer, soft French tip that looks entirely natural. It's like "no-makeup" makeup for your toes.

This natural-looking French pedicure doesn't just make your feet look immaculately manicured, but it's also a great transitional summer-to-autumn pedi trend to tide you over between the seasons, and it will go with any outfit or open-toed shoes in your wardrobe. One way to achieve the effect is to use a sheer, milky white polish on the tips of your toes—in place of a bright white—paired with an equally sheer pink nail polish to make your toes look glossy and healthy. And if you're doing a pedicure at home, scroll on for the products to perfect the bare French pedicure at home.

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I don't know about you, but lately it's felt like every outfit I've put on has been slightly wrong. Hot but raining, humid with a sudden gust of wind—dressing for this peculiar time of year is no easy feat, but, of course, Alexa Chung has figured it out.

Stepping out in an outfit that feels made for these warm, drizzly days, Alexa served up a typically effortless look. Starting with the chicest warm-weather base, she wore a white cotton knee-length dress from Miu Miu. Sleeveless and airy, it’s ideal for the sweltering moments late summer continues to throw our way, whilst its pared-back hue feels far more in keeping with the season's impending shift than the brighter shades we embraced in high summer.

From there, Alexa gave the look an autumn-ready update by layering a light beige trench coat over the dress. Perfect for taking the edge off those cooler early mornings, it also provides protection should the forecasted rain actually arrive. And, in another clever styling move, Alexa skipped the umbrella—frankly unnecessary for the occasional light drizzle—in favour of a simple baseball cap.

Adding a hit of colour and personality, the cap gives the otherwise classic outfit a little interest without making it feel overly styled or fussy.

Frankly, it's one of the chicest takes on transeasonal dressing I've come across this season, and I'll be taking my cues from Alexa and pairing my favourite white dresses with trenches and baseball caps for the weeks ahead. If you're tempted to do the same, read on to shop my edit of the best white dresses, trench coats and baseball caps below.

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The coolest shoes to wear with jeans right now? Ask Alexa Chung, and she'll point you towards an unlikely pairing: denim heels. Beginning her latest look with a pair of pale straight-leg jeans, as so many of Alexa's best outfits do, the model and presenter skipped the ballet flats and jelly shoes she's been reaching for this season, instead styling her denim with a pair of bow-embellished denim mules from Dior.

An unlikely shoe trend, denim shoes have been creeping into new-in sections over the past few seasons. And whilst they might not be the most obvious choice to wear with jeans, I've found that the denim shoes add interest without disrupting the streamlined feel of the jeans, making them one of the coolest shoes to wear with your denim collection right now.

Whilst I'll be taking my cues from Alexa and pairing my denim shoes with jeans, the trend also makes for a lighter alternative to heavier leather and suede styles. Try wearing them with floaty cotton dresses or linen pieces for an equally chic summer look.

Taking your styling cues from Alexa like me? Read on to shop the denim shoes I'm recommending below.

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Done with flip-flops but not yet ready for loafers? Might I introduce you to the in-between shoe trend taking off in fashion circles right now? Taking all the ease of your favourite rubbery flip-flops and combining it with the higher coverage of a timeless loafer, chic dressers are suddenly completing their late-summer looks with the surprising water-shoe trend.

As if designed to frolic through rock pools, these transparent jelly shoes are completing some of the chicest outfits I've come across this season. Case in point: Alexa Chung slipped into a pair just this week. Worn with a white, calf-skimming midi dress in a gauzy cotton finish, Alexa's transparent flats brought a playful energy to her look whilst keeping things typically unfussy.

And whilst the trend might strike you as an unlikely one to catch on, some of the season's key designers have been dipping their toes in, too. Spotted at Ancient Greek Sandals, Jimmy Choo and Tory Burch, transparent jelly flats are quickly becoming one of August's fastest-growing shoe trends.

With their transparent finish and simple flat silhouette, IMO, there are few outfits this playful shoe trend wouldn't work with. Though you might not want to wear them for a stint in the office, they're perfect for off-duty styling—and even better if you have any last-minute trips in the calendar.

Fashion's fascination with the ugly shoe continues. Read on to shop the water shoes I recommend below.

Water Shoes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5 Easy-to-Copy Celebrity Summer Outfits

1. Tank Top + Jeans + Ballet Flats

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

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2. Midi Dress + Mules + Headscarf

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

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3. Mini Dress + Leather Flats + Bucket Tote

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

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4. Linen Suit + Tank Top

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

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5. Halter Top + Capri Pants + Flip-Flops

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shop Jelly Shoes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hair by Sam McKnight Cool Girl Texture Mist

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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