From the moment I touched down in London town, my eyes were not fixated on Big Ben or the iconic red phone booths and black taxis, but on the clothes of fashion- forward Londoners. Even the trendiest, fast-paced New York it-girl remains slightly behind-the-times in comparison to our stylish friends across the pond. While on my most recent London adventure, I made mental notes of what trends I should be shopping for before everyone in the US inevitably catches up.
This trip had me staring at the ground more than I’d like to admit, but for good reason; seemingly every stylish girl in any given nook and cranny of England’s capital was navigating the city wearing loafers. Suede, patent leather, gold chain embellished or fringe adorned loafers. They gave a lick of sophistication to even the edgiest of looks around town, and perfectly enhanced the smartly dressed. My mind immediately wandered to the thought of the gorgeous fur-lined Gucci Princetown Leather Slippers that anyone who’s anyone had this past season, and teased me for the mere thought of spending a month’s rent check on them. Pointy ballet flats will always be my go-to, but you better believe I’ll be hopping on the loafer bandwagon soon enough.
Shop for: Zara chain loafers via Poshmark, $55
Strive for: Gucci Leather Princetown Slipper, $995
The last time I was inside Topshop in New York, I dabbled with the idea of purchasing a pink Sateen bomber jacket but brushed it off as a borderline impulse buy, fearing I’d look more like a washed up Grease character than a trendy fashionista. Fast forward to my recent London holiday and I am kicking myself for not buying it, having seen many locals wearing one and all of my favorite fashion bloggers in similar looks online. The least casual part of my trip was that while shopping in Mayfair, I bumped into supermodel Poppy Delevingne (sidenote: she is the sweetest person ever) wearing a nearly identical black version of the bomber. Note to future self: buy the damn jacket.
Poppy Delevingne was in the midst of reaching for her shades while dodging a paparazzi man tracking her shopping excursions when I said hello. Even more stunning than her natural beauty and bubbly personality was her off-duty outfit. Black skinny jeans and a silky black bomber jacket paired with Tabitha Simmons leopard ankle boots and a pale pink skinny scarf. Which leads me to my latest obsession that was seen quite frequently around London…
Shop for: Missguided Satin Bomber Jacket, $42.50
Strive for: Acne Studios Tech-Satin Azura Bomber Jacket, $590
It’s the year of skinny scarves, chokers, and neck ties. We already did the retro plastic tattoo choker and the thick black velvet choker. And then we did it again. This time, think modern, clean and chic, not grungy and retro. Rock your bandana around your neck like it’s an Hermes scarf (or rock your Hermes scarf like an Hermes scarf if you’ve got the funds. #goals). Skinny scarves can revive even the simplest of blouses, giving them new life, or turn lingerie-style tanks into more put-together nighttime looks as opposed to bedtime looks. Neck ties can add style and excitement to a basic t-shirt, and Danielle Bernstein-inspired, barely-there chokers scream elegance no matter what they’re paired with. Who needs diamonds?! (I do. I need diamonds, but these are cool, too).
Shop for: Fallon Armure Hammered Stud Choker, $60
Strive for: Saint Laurent Silk-Georgette Scarf, $445
Note: DIY chokers and neck ties are a simple feat. Save your $!
I’ll be off stocking my wardrobe with these items until further notice. There is no fashion almanac more reliable than London street style!
