In reality, I’m not in Italy; I’m in bed. But that doesn’t mean I’m not there in spirit, live-streaming each show from Milan Fashion Week, stalking the Instagram stories of my favorite editors, and combing through page after page of street style looks. All in all, the vibes were understated and casual in that ever-so-intentional way the fashion girls are so good at executing. I took note of the 7 biggest trends and am breaking them down, including the best places to shop the looks, below.
Knee Deep
My Catholic school-educated inner child finds this hard to believe, but knee-high socks are pretty cool right now. Whether paired with traditional suiting or something unexpected, like shorts, this trend might be worth digging through your bottom drawer.
Aya Muse Off-White Eris Socks
Wolford Denier Knee Highs
Now 11% Off
Comme Si The Knee High Sock
Black Is Back
Did it ever really go out of style? No, of course not. But, honestly, I think we’ve gotten lazy when it comes to all-black dressing. It’s a go-to for many of us—myself included—and we might be too comfortable in our colorless comfort zone. When I say black is back, I mean inspired black outfits were plentiful this fashion month. Reinvigorate your own uniform staples with a fresh LBD and perhaps a pair of flats for fall.
Veronica Beard Roxanne Stretch-Linen Shirtdress
Michael Kors Colby Leather Loafer
Now 25% Off
Madewell The Kline Blazer
On the Prowl
Me-ow! I love a cheeky bit of animal print, so I was ecstatic to see these fun accents throughout Milan’s best-dressed attendees.
Markarian Le Tigre Wrap Coat
Marc Jacobs The Zebra Mini Dual Bag
Jean Paul Gaultier Leopard Print Long Sleeve Mesh Dress
Turn Up the Volume
“Flattering” is so yesterday. Why make yourself small and diminutive when fashion is about being expressive and creative. Take broad strokes, go for the puffy skirt, wear the shoulder pads!
Simkhai Kenlie Taffeta-Trimmed Gown
Stella McCartney Fringe-Bottom Fitted Sweater
Helsa Tech Gabardine Zip Jacket
Charmed, I’m Sure
It was the summer of bag charms, and if Milan is any indication, that trend isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Coach Bear Bag Charm
Westman-Atelier Alphabet Charm
Anthropologie Icon Pearl Bag Charm
Non-traditional Knits
Maybe I’m just unimaginative, but I only ever think of knits as sweaters and cardigans. Fashion week-goers showed up in crochet dresses, rompers, and two-piece sets, among many other woven gems.
Free People Picnic Sweater Romper
Madewell Ribbed Pull-On Flare Pants
Now 20% Off
Ganni Embroidered Metallic-Knit Mini Dress
Double Trouble
This wasn’t on my trend bingo card, either, but twinning is in. Believe it or not, there were more dynamic duos in Milan than I could showcase here. And no, you don’t actually have to be twins. Bold pairs can wear the exact same outfits, or if you fancy a more subtle approach, try splitting up a coordinating set or wearing different iterations of the same print.
Me + Em Houndstooth Wide-Leg Pant + Box Top Co-ord
Mango Check Skirt with Slit
Dressed in Lala Celestial Knit Long Sleeve Sweater & Pants Set
Meg (she/her) is the associate fashion commerce editor at ELLE.com, where she specializes in shopping stories spanning the fashion, home, and lifestyle categories. Over the past three years, she has devoted countless hours to researching brands, testing hundreds (maybe even thousands!) of products, and deep-diving into market and consumer trends. Her favorite job responsibilities consist of co-writing the monthly series Same Same But Different and curating the fashion market for ELLE Escapes. Meg graduated magna cum laude from the Missouri School of Journalism with an emphasis on magazine editing. In 2020, one of her feature stories in the service article category was recognized by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. The year prior, the Society of Professional Journalists named voxmagazine.com “Best Affiliated Magazine” in its Mark of Excellence Awards, when she was on staff. Meg’s stories have appeared on Cosmopolitan, Town & Country, Harper’s Bazaar, and Good Housekeeping, among many other outlets. Her personal passions include travel, buffalo sauce, and gardening. You can find her in New York, where she lives, or on Instagram, where she also lives. She will never stop hoping for a One Direction reunion tour.