Paris Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2023’s Best Trends Riff On The Classics

Paris Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2023’s Best Trends Riff On The Classics

Of all the fashion capitals of the world, Paris is best known for delivering bold and conceptual runway moments. And there was definitely some of that this season (see: Harris Reed’s Nina Ricci debut and Rick Owens’ dramatically puffed up silhouettes). But perhaps even more notable, as evidenced by the biggest Paris Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2023 trends, was a wave of collections that are refreshingly easy to imagine in one’s everyday life. Clothes you will actually wear more than once? In this era of internet peacocking, the concept felt downright novel.

Still, make no mistake: These wardrobe basics were far from boring. Over at Hermès, creative director Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski reinvented clean and simple staples with monochromatic color schemes and creative layering; Louis Vuitton’s Nicolas Ghesquière brought understated dresses and suits to life with extra long belts, cozy scarves, and space age-y glasses. Covetable, outfit-building skirts were everywhere in all shapes and forms: full and flouncy (at Dior), soft and swishy (Chanel), short and sweet (Valentino). And over at Miu Miu, the athleisure-chic oversize jackets and sweatshirts were such scene-stealers that designer Miuccia Prada decided, in some cases, to dispense with bottoms altogether.

All of this is to say, the biggest themes of this season all drive back to one key point: Invest in things you love and want to wear day in and out and you’ll have a wardrobe that lasts well beyond just fall. Ahead, 10 key style-focused ideas to get your wish list started.

Denim, Doubled

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Alessandra RichKristy Sparow/Getty Images Entertainment

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Stella McCartneyLinda and Mary McCartney

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AWAKE ModeFrancois Durand/Getty Images Entertainment

High fashion’s ongoing love affair with jeans was strong in the City Of Lights, where several designers put their own stamp on the Canadian tuxedo. At Stella McCartney, the look was relaxed and easy enough that the model could jump on one of the (real!) horses at the presentation, while Alessandra Rich embellished her set with mixed metal studs. For a more ladylike take, consider AWAKE Mode, which pieced together dungaree scraps to create a crop top and maxi skirt — both items would look equally cool broken up and worn with other pieces.

Leg Work

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Isabel MarantGiovanni Giannoni/WWD/Getty Images

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Miu Miu Giovanni Giannoni/WWD/Getty Images

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ChanelPascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Entertainment

Sheer, lacy, bright colors — all manner of hospitality proves to be the secret sauce behind some of the best looks at brands like Miu Miu, Chanel, and Nina Ricci. And should you fall shopping on a budget, good news: One perfect pair will likely cost you less than $50 and update every dress and skirt in your closet.

Puffer Deluxe

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Christian Dior

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UndercoverDominique Maitre/WWD/Getty Images

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Chloe

Ah, the cute outfit on a cold day conundrum: Do you cover up with something practical or sacrifice comfort for style? Thanks to the elevated parka and quilted coat options in Paris, it’s no longer one or the other. Try an edgy, outside style à la Undercover or Chloé, or go more elegant with a Dior-inspired gingham design.

Get Uneven

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Rick OwensSwan Gallet/WWD/Getty Images

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Victoria BeckhamGiovanni Giannoni/WWD/Getty Images

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Sacai Dominique Maitre/WWD/Getty Images

While asymmetrical silhouettes have been everywhere this fashion month, the look was particularly striking in Paris. A few pieces to take note of? The side slit maxis (and coordinating one-shoulder tops) at Rick Owen, flowing, patched-together gowns at Victoria Beckham, and the high-low skirts at Sacai.

Basic Instincts

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Miu Miu

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Loewe

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GivenchyVictor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

Really, there’s not enough room in this feature to fully display the wealth of essentials that PFW delivers. A good starting place, though, would be Miu Miu’s luxe off-duty hoodies and jackets, Givenchy’s fluid blouses and trousers, and Loewe’s gorgeously draped knit set.

Noir Et Blanc

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ChanelSwan Gallet/WWD/Getty Images

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BalmainGiovanni Giannoni/WWD/Getty Images

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LouisVuittonSwan Gallet/WWD/Getty Images

Does anything feel more wonderfully francais than wearing high contrast black and white? Should you agree, the runways were rife with the timeless color combinations — just look at Chanel, Balmain, and Louis Vuitton — which, you should try it, looks fantastic with a bold red lip.

Deep Purple

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Alexander McQueen

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Lanvin

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Dundas

For those undecided on fashion month’s unmistakable fire engine red trend, consider deep aubergine purple instead. A key hue at big houses like Alexander McQueen, Lanvin, and Dundas, the color commands attention without screaming for it like a siren.

Take A (Big) Bow

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Saint LaurentGiovanni Giannoni/WWD/Getty Images

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Vivien Westwood Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

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Nina Ricci

While the dramatically tied flourishes above are technically called pussybows — or, in French, lavallières — they’re a far cry from the prim ’70s secretary blouses that the term brings to mind. Strategically layer one of these show stoppers under a blazer (perhaps a mega-shoulder design from Saint Laurent?) whenever a barely buttoned shirt or T-shirt doesn’t feel eye-catching enough.

Borrowed From No One

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HermèsGiovanni Giannoni/WWD/Getty Images

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Christian Dior

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ValentinoDominique Maitre/WWD/Getty Images

Ties may traditionally be a menswear staple, but lately it’s the ladies who are making them really special (here’s looking at you, Jenna Ortega). Try it with a traditional button-down pairing, like Dior or Hermés, or make a splash in the spirit of Valentino by adding the accessory to a spangly gown.

She’s Come Undone

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Balenciaga Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

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Sacai Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

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Comme des GarçonsGiovanni Giannoni/WWD/Getty Images

From the unfinished hems at Sacai and Comme des Garçons to the slashed and reconstructed creations at Balenciaga — many of the pieces were made from repurposed pants — a fashion that’s reworked and artfully not completed, feels so fresh right now.