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I Just Got Back From London and Saw These Anti-Trends Everywhere

By Swedan Margen

I Just Got Back From London and Saw These Anti-Trends Everywhere

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love London. I lived there for two years, and it's one of my all-time favorite cities and holds such a special place in my heart. Every time I go back, I feel the most me.

London's also where I got my first job in fashion. Out of the entire fashion-month calendar, I can't wait for London Fashion Week. From emerging Central Saint Martins students to designers I love, like Dilara Findikoglu and Conner Ives, there's just nothing quite like it.

I recently went on a trip in late October for the H&M x Glenn Martens collaboration and decided ahead of time that I wanted to take notes on trends I spotted. Very quickly, I found myself noticing far more anti-trends. Below, see a roundup of what I kept seeing everywhere across the pond—from outerwear and prints to cold-weather accessories and the sneaker brand seemingly everyone was wearing.

Trench Coats

Camille Charriere wearing a trench coat.

Unsurprisingly, trench coats were all over the city known for its rain, from Shoreditch to Marylebone. During my entire trip, it was either overcast, misting, or pouring, so it's no wonder this was the outerwear of choice. It's a classic, timeless piece for a reason, and I love that you can wear it in both fall and spring, making the cost per wear worth it. It's a wardrobe staple through and through.

Lea Trench Coat

Rue Sophie

Lea Trench Coat

zara, Zw Collection Limited Edition Waxed Trench Coat

Zw Collection

Limited Edition Waxed Trench Coat

The Cheri Trench, Onyx

Peachy Den

The Cheri Trench

Belted Longline Trench Coat

Avec Les Filles

Belted Longline Trench Coat

Argyle Print

Woman wearing argyle sweater and argyle-print skirt during London Fashion Week.

Argyle popped up multiple times around London, and I can't say I ever expected the print to come back. It feels like a micro-trend in the U.S., but it's already fully taken off in London. I've been wearing my Swedish Stockings Franka Check Tights lately—an easy way to make an all-black outfit instantly more interesting.

swedish stockings, Franka Check Tights

swedish stockings

Franka Check Tights

Knee Length Argyle Socks- Grey and Black

Damson Madder

Knee Length Argyle Socks- Grey and Black

Fuzzy Argyle Crop Sweater

Gap

Fuzzy Argyle Crop Sweater

Argyle Knit Wool and Alpaca Sweater

Massimo Dutti

Argyle Knit Wool and Alpaca Sweater

Cardigan in Argyle Wool Blend

J.Crew

Cardigan in Argyle Wool Blend

Mohair-Blend Sweater

Leather Bomber Jackets

Rikke Krefting Ulstein wearing a leather bomber jacket.

Leather bomber jackets—zipped all the way up—caught my attention. I saw them styled with jeans and ballet flats or sneakers and with midi and knee-length skirts paired with knee-high boots.

Millie Leather Jacket

SRG

Millie Leather Jacket

Leather Jacket

Enza Costa

Leather Jacket

Senta Oversized Bomber Jacket

THE FRANKIE SHOP

Senta Oversized Bomber Jacket

High Collar Faux Leather Bomber Jacket

ZARA

High Collar Faux Leather Bomber Jacket

Black Wool Coats

Marilyn NK wearing a wool coat.

As anti-trend as it gets, the oversize black wool coat remains a cold-weatheressential. My favorite is my Filippa Hägg Oversized Coat. I recently learned a great styling tip: Layer a Uniqlo Pufftech Jacket underneath for extra warmth without bulkiness.

Oversized Coat

Filippa Hägg

Oversized Coat

Slick Asymmetric Zip Wool Blend Coat

Cole Haan

Slick Asymmetric Zip Wool Blend Coat

Picarol Double Breasted Wool Blend Coat

MANGO

Picarol Double Breasted Wool Blend Coat

Long Wool Blend Coat Zw Collection Limited Edition

ZARA

Long Wool Blend Coat Limited Edition

Belted Wool Wrap Coat

& Other Stories

Belted Wool Wrap Coat

Faux Fur–Trimmed Coats

Poppy Almond wearing a Charlotte Simone coat.

I couldn't help but notice all of the faux fur–trimmed statement coats. Charlotte Simone remains the go-to brand, but it's worth looking for vintage ones on eBay too. This is one of the most effortless ways to make an outfit more fun.

Lena Faux Suede Coat

Lovers and Friends

Lena Faux Suede Coat

Suede-Effect Faux-Fur Jacket - Women | Mango Usa

MANGO

Suede-Effect Faux-Fur Jacket

Brandy Jacket

Tyler McGillivary

Brandy Jacket

Knitted Bonnets

Valeria Soba wearing a knitted bonnet.

Knitted bonnets and balaclavas took over in NYC last fall and winter, but across the Atlantic, they've been going strong for a while now. Perhaps this one blurs the line between trend and anti-trend, but I think this has become an enduring winter accessory.

Paloma Wool Coucou Hat | One Size
Alpaca-Blend Rib-Knit Hood Scarf

& Other Stories

Alpaca-Blend Rib-Knit Hood Scarf

Balabonnet
Peck Bonnet in Navy

SANDY LIANG

Peck Bonnet in Navy

Adidas Sneakers

Emmanuelle Koffi wearing Adidas.

The sneaker brand of choice was, by far, Adidas—mainly in colorful iterations. After season upon season of popularity, the Gazelles and Sambas feel like they've surpassed trend status entirely, standing the test of time. I also noticed plenty of Tokyos, Japans, and Taekwondos. Of course, there are still ways to make them feel trendy, such as cow print, studs, and unexpected colorways.

Tokyo Shoes
Samba Og Shoes
Samba Og Shoes
Adidas Taekwondo Shoes
Japan Shoes
Cow Print Samba Long Tongue Shoes

adidas

Cow Print Samba Long Tongue Shoes

Adidas X Wales Bonner Adidas X Wales Bonner Karintha Lo Satin Sneakers

Adidas X Wales Bonner

Karintha Lo Satin Sneakers

Explore More:

What London Girls Are Really Wearing

Originally published by whowhatwear.com. Syndicated material does not necessarily reflect the views of Vanity Fair Fashion.

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