It’s not exactly groundbreaking, but a good pair of jeans is a failsafe option I wouldn’t leave home without. My usual go-to is a smart pair (or rips, tears, or frayed edges) of medium blue denim, usually a wider style which looks more effortless than tighter jeans. Denim without stretch always retains its shape if you wear it throughout the day, so keep that in mind when looking at fabric. I love a style with a simple yet statement detail such as an exaggerated turn-up, heavily inspired by the statement versions from Coperni. I love finding added details that add interest without looking OTT. This version from M&S is slightly longer in length, so it is ideal if worn with a heel. Pair with a button-up knit or an oversized shirt from Frankie Shop. This season I’ll also be packing some barrel leg jeans to wear for a more street style look, as inspired by last season’s show crowds.
Coperni turn up-hem jeans
Reformation wide leg jeans
Premium wide leg turn up jeans
Loewe anagram high-rise barrel-leg jeans
Gucci’s mini shoulder bag: a natural choice for Fashion WeekLouis Delbarre
The final item to pack is the evening bag. A sleek shoulder bag is a surprisingly all-purpose item, used for evening events and daytime looks when you don’t want to be encumbered by any ludicrously capacious handbags. The fashion crowd has this nailed; editors leave all of their luggage in their cars (read: extra shoes, invitations, laptops, snacks), so when they hop out of their BMW for each show, they only need the essentials (read: basically just a phone and the show ticket).
One of my favourites is the Gucci Jackie bag, a cult buy in the accessories canon (named after Jackie Kennedy bought six in one day), in sleek patent leather. Other hero bags which will see you through fashion month are the Saint Laurent Le 5 a 7, and, of course, the Fendi Baguette, but don’t sleep on more youthful brands such as Jacquemus for high-end evening bags. Wear with a slip dress and oversized blazer, or a structured silhouette from chic brands such as Aligne or Dissh.
Yves Saint Laurent leather hobo bag
Jacquemus, The Bisou Perle embellished leather shoulder bag
Shoulder bag with metal detail
The Mark is one of the best hotels in New York – it’s where the celebrities debut their Met Gala outfits and it’s home to Caviar Kaspia, the famous Parisian restaurant where Karl Lagerfeld famously ate. Alternatively, Freehand New York is well located and the interiors are a little more contemporary.
The Nomad in Covent Garden is elegant, and the dining room is the perfect spot for breakfast meetings or after-show drinks. There’s also an incredible facial to be had in the Katy England salon downstairs if you’ve got the time. All booked up? Some of the best Air BnBs in London are always worth considering.
The Bulgari Hotel Milano is the ultimate fashion insider’s hangout when in Milan, but the Mandarin Oriental is another beautiful destination – both have the kind of beds you can’t wait to sink into after a long day running from show to show. If staying away from the crowds is preferable, there are many beautiful hotels in Milan that will feel equally inviting.
Paris is the last of the four cities in the Fashion Month calendar, so by this point, somewhere that spells out comfort is the ultimate MO. Any of the best hotels in Paris from our editors’ picks fit the bill, but my personal favourite is Le Grand Marzin. I always make time for a swim in the indoor pool to decompress at the end of a hectic month of travel.