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With New York Fashion Week about to come to a close, it falls to our very own capital and the biggest of the ‘big four’ (not biased at all) to host the major players of the fashion industry and stage its own seasonal showcase.
Kicking off on Thursday, London Fashion Week is set to play host to the likes of Burberry, Erdem, Simone Rocha, Richard Quinn and 16Arlington - to name but a few - as designers reveal their fashion trends forecast for our autumn/winter 2026 wardrobes.
And while it goes without saying that what we see on the runway, whether you like it or not, will have a huge impact on what we scroll, shop and wear in six months' time, for those of you looking for a little more immediate outfit inspiration you'd be wise to look to the street style set to influence your current season looks. Because while it's fun to wistfully imagine what our dream wardrobes might look like come autumn, it's a whole lot more pressing - and practical - to think about what we’ll be wearing tomorrow.
Whether you're heading to some of London Fashion Week's biggest shows this season or you're planning on soaking up the high-fashion vibe around the city - even if you're just scrolling updates and live streams from your sofa - we've whittled down our go-to fashion week outfit ideas to just six failsafe formulas that are guaranteed to have you feeling your best self throughout fashion month.
Is there a fashion week dress code?
There is no official dress code for fashion week, and one look at the best street style inspo from any season over the last decade will attest to that. In fact, it's one of the few occasions you'll ever attend where you could be standing in a group talking to someone wearing jeans, someone wearing a full-length tulle black dress and someone else wearing a studded leather bra over a shirt, and you wouldn't bat an eye. Trust me, I've been in that exact conversation (I was also wearing jeans, for the record).
This lack of dress code might seem daunting, but it's actually the perfect opportunity to elevate your style. And while most of us might not be tempted by the studded leather bra option, there are other ways to experiment with your styling - whether that's with interesting accessories, a more exaggerated silhouette, some unexpected layering, an punchy pop of colour, or a statement piece you've been desperate to find the excuse to wear.
Here are our six failsafe outfit formulas for your chicest, simplest fashion week wardrobe yet:
1. The shapeless shirt dress
‘Shapelessness’ has long been considered a derogatory term when it comes to matters of the wardrobe, but it's one of the things I look for most. Comfortable, fuss-free, timeless and showcasing something of an ‘I just threw this on’ nonchalance, they're super easy to dress up with accessories and can be dressed up or down easily depending on the vibe of the show.
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Save when you shop for your Fashion Week outfits with these H&M discount codes at checkout.
2. The simple statement skirt
I'm not much of a skirt girl, but have come to rely on them quite heavily when it comes to fashion week. More elevated than a trouser but less try-hard than a dress, they're a great middle-ground to pair with anything from a blouse to a sweater that give your look a contemporary feel. Great with an edgy boot or bold sandal, I lean more towards an elongated midi for a more dressed-up feel.
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3. The accessories-led look
I'll never jump off the accessories PR train. They may be small in size, but when it comes to impact they pack so much more of a punch than almost anything else in a wardrobe. They're also a great way to switch up a look during the day if you're attending shows with very different vibes - as you can wear a simple outfit and zhush things up - or down - with your bag/shoe/coat/glasses.
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Save when you shop for your Fashion Week outfits with these Net-A-Porter discount codes at checkout.
4. The instant elevator
Jeans and a white t-shirt will forever be a go-to outfit formula of almost every fashion editor you ever meet. Trust me, I not only am one but I've also met many, and they all rely on the same basic staples. What they also rely on, however, is a jacket that acts as an instant elevator. Whether that be a sharp ivory blazer, an oversized leather bomber jacket, an timeless longline trench or even a cosy shearling coat, the formula - and impact - remains the same.
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Save when you shop for your Fashion Week outfits with these Net-A-Porter discount codes at checkout.
5. The outerwear outfit
This is such an easy one on the days your brain seems to have switched off creatively (which, let's be honest, happens to us all, particularly if you're 50 shows down and 15 weeks pregnant, as I was in the first image below). A longline coat with at least one key design detail - whether that's a print, a cinched waist, bold fabrication or a layered hemline - is a surefire way to ensure maximum sartorial impact with little to no care for what you're wearing beneath.
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6. The monochrome moment
If all else fails, monochrome it. Head-to-toe. Black or white. That's it. Don't overcomplicate things and don't second-guess. There's something seriously beautiful about the simplicity of it, and many of my monochrome looks over the years have been my most photographed by street style photographers. After all, if there's one way to stand out amongst the chaos that it fashion week and it's many wild looks, it's keeping things simple.
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Save when you shop for your Fashion Week outfits with these COS discount codes at checkout.
Why you can trust me
You won't be surprised to hear that, as a Fashion Editor, I've spent many seasons over many years being lucky enough to grace the front rows at some of the biggest fashion weeks worldwide. More glamorous than it sounds in some instances, I've been everywhere from Sarah Burton's final ever Alexander McQueen runway show in Paris and Christopher Bailey's final bow at Burberry to the uncomfortable - and always oversubscribed - wooden benches at some of London's youngest up-and-coming showcases. But throughout my 12+ years of chasing the hottest designers across the world, one thing has remained consistent; the need for simplifying my own fashion week wardrobe.
How I test the best fashion week wardrobes
Never straying too far from my own aesthetic - I can't bear the thought of ‘trying too hard’ when it comes to my own look - I've always preferred to keep things pretty fuss-free, but elevated, when it comes to my fashion week looks. That means sticking to my favourite minimalist, neutral colour palette and slightly oversized silhouettes, whilst bringing in some super special accessories, some unexpected small details and - of course - British brands.
I've road-tested countless looks over countless seasons, but the ones that have truly stood the test of time are those that are comfortable (there is a lot of walking), those that I can wear repeatedly in a variety of ways and yet they still feel fresh (crucial when only travelling with hand luggage) and those that don't scream ‘look at me!’. After all, Fashion Week is predominantly about the outfits I'm not yet wearing.
For more from freelance Fashion Editor Charlie Teather, follow her on Instagram @charlieteather.
