7 Outfit Recipes From Milan Fashion Week We’re Copying Immediately

The fashion week runways may be serving up a slew of autumn/winter trends right now, but it’s the street style set who are putting together current season outfit recipes to serve as ready-made wardrobe inspiration for early spring.

Whether you’re growing tired of throwing on the same old winter coat every day or you’re just looking for something new to inject a little more life into your outfits, some of the world’s best dressed are currently putting on something of a sartorial masterclass as they make their way to the next big catwalk during Milan Fashion Week.

But what are the key takeaways amidst all those major looks? These are the seven outfit recipes we’re adopting for spring…

1. RED ACCENTING

If you’ve been sleeping under a rock for the last six months you may have missed the news: the only colour you should be considering adding to your wardrobe right now is red. Showcased head-to-toe for autumn/winter 2023 by just about every designer from Stella McCartney and Nensi Dojaka to Bottega Veneta, The Row, Victoria Beckham, David Koma, Di Petsa, Eudon Choi, Alexander McQueen and Prada, it seems that the spring-like way to tap into the look is somewhat subtler. Using accent accessories was everywhere in Milan this season, whether via a bag, shoe, tights, scarf or hair accessory – it’s a great way to experiment if the full-look trend was too much for you.

2. SHORT SHORTS & SHEER TIGHTS

We’ve been warning you for a couple of seasons that short shorts are on their way back, but it looks like there’s no more ‘on their way’ about it. If Milan’s street style stars are anything to go by, they’ve officially arrived. Of course, with the Italian city still hovering at sub-10°C, it was necessary to introduce at least some element of practicality – and it seems everyone got the memo that a pair of 10 denier tights were the answer. While we may be dubious about the warmth these produced, there’s no denying their visual impact. Don’t mind us while we wait for the sun to make a *little* more of an appearance before we try this one.

3. ELEVATED DENIM

Perhaps the easiest trend from Milan’s street style scene to get involved in right now, jeans ‘with a twist’ have been everywhere over the last few days. From subtle embellishments to full lacquered looks and even bold primary colours, denim got a real upgrade for fashion week – and we’re suddenly less enamoured by the high-waisted bleach wash pair that has become our go-to over the last few years. Whether paired with a cosy knit, cute crop or statement jacket, this elevated denim always packs a punch.

4. HEAD-TO-TOE NEUTRALS

Strictly one for those who don’t drink coffee (or spill anything, ever), there was no avoiding the influx of all-white outfits making their way to each runway in Milan this season. Whether incorporating a skirt or a trouser, the trend lends itself to a more pulled-together, tailored silhouette and works particularly well with a seamless jacket or shirt in the exact same shade. Like we said, just be wary of spillages… or dirty puddles, or dirty seats. Or other people spilling nearby. In fact, maybe don’t leave the house in this one.

5. BOLD-SHOULDERED OUTERWEAR

Oversized outwear has long been one of the fashion world’s key go-tos, but in Milan, things went supersized. From bold-shouldered duster coats to blazers long enough to be dresses, the street style set went big when it came to layering up. Worn over everything from tailoring to loungewear and evening wear, it’s the perfect way to dress up – and add an edge to – just about any outfit.

6. SHEER & KNITS

There’s no denying that sheer fabrics are having a moment right now – not only in the world of red carpets (somewhere they’ll always be) but also IRL too. But how to wear the potentially risqué look without feeling overdone? Contrast contrast contrast. And what better way to contrast the sultry sheer look than with some cosy knitwear? Milan Fashion Week’s attendees clearly agreed, with several of them opting for the unexpected pairing. From cardigans to sweaters and even tights, the beauty of this outfit recipe is that there really are no strict guidelines. The more wrong the pairing feels, the more right it likely looks.

7. SUITED AND BOOTED

We called it this time last year, but when everyone from Valentino and Dior to Carolina Herrera, Loewe, Alexander McQueen, Prada, GCDS, Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana and Balmain all back a trend in one season you know it’s about to be big. Shirts and ties may not have been top of your bingo card for autumn/winter 2023 – but as soon as February’s shows were over, we knew it was coming. Fast forward a year and the street style crowd have adopted the suited and booted look with ease, tempting even the least-experimental dressers amongst us to dip back into our school uniform aesthetic. And you won’t even have anyone telling you do do your top button up this time…

For more from Glamour UK’s Fashion Editor Charlie Teather, follow her on Instagram @charlieteather.