Fresh off the runway: how to get AW23’s biggest trends

As the first round of AW23 shows draw to a close, here are the top trends to shop now; from refined belted coats to the new colour blocking
words Sophie Lou Wilson
The past two weeks have been a fantastical romp through the contemporary menswear landscape. From Rosalia’s dynamic opening performance at KidSuper’s Louis Vuitton show to JW Anderson’s playful royal-approved frog wellies, Paris and Milan have kicked off the AW23 season with some truly feel-good moments. That’s not to mention the clothes themselves. Coats were cosy, belted and oversized. Bags were bizarre. And pillows made a convincing case for getting your beauty sleep in style.
As we wait for the next round of ready-to-wear shows to commence in New York next month, here are the trends you can shop now.
LEATHER DADDY
Faux Leather Rider Pants
£35.00£60.00
At Ludovic de Saint Sernin, Hermes and Marine Serre, leather injected some sex appeal. Whether low-slung, belted or motocross, leather pants are here to stay. This relaxed fit pair from The Ragged Priest are an easy way to add some edge to your wardrobe.
BELT UP
Yves Saint Laurent Cotton Trench Coat
£225.00
This season, coats were long and elegant, bringing smart tailoring to the table without sacrificing on comfort. Dries Van Noten, Lemaire, Junya Watanabe and Wales Bonner all went for chic, belted silhouettes. This vintage Yves Saint Laurent trench has seasonless charm, but also taps into the AW23 outerwear trend.
ELEVATED OUTERWEAR
Bruiser Coat
£130.00
When coats weren’t sleek and sophisticated they were channelling eye-catching maximalism. At Marine Serre, PVC jackets were finished with colourful faux fur trim. Meanwhile, at Etro they were covered in bold geometric patterns and at Loewe, the designs appeared minimalist but their outsized, stiff construction added a surreal air to the collection. This leather faux fur trimmed trench from The Ragged Priest is a showstopper of a coat, perfect for the new season.
SKIRTS FOR EVERYONE
4 way stretch Long skirt
£125.00
Designers from Martine Rose to Gucci proved that, on the runway at least, skirts on men have moved from being a subversive commentary on gender and into more mainstream territory. This neutral sporty style from Otti is the perfect starting point for any cargo pant fans who want to get into wearing more skirts.
BRITS ABROAD
London Callin' Halter Top
£12.00£36.00
British designers set off for Florence, Paris and Milan this season, bringing UK heritage to the continent. Charles Jeffrey referenced industrial history while Martine Rose and JORDANLUCA looked to London street culture. Elsie & Fred’s Union Jack top also taps into British cultural identity.
NEON TREATMENT
Neon Beacon Merino Wool Cardigan Orange
£139.60£349.00
KidSuper’s guest season at Louis Vuitton was a colourful bonanza, as was the designer’s own brand show which shook up the traditional runway show format, instead staging a riotous comedy show. Get some of that playful, upbeat energy for yourself with The English Difference’s neon cardigan, crafted from premium Italian merino wool.