Paris Fashion Week is ending tomorrow signalling the month-long show season coming to a close – and what have we learned?
Never mind analysing the trends on the catwalks for Autumn/Winter 2025 – far too early to worry about that – we’re talking about the lessons gleaned from the most fashion-conscious women in the world who sit on the front row.
These women have an insider edge and air of impeccable taste. They know how to distil the essence of a cool look with minimum effort. They understand which clothes marry convenience with fashion clout, the pieces that work hardest for the money (during the intense Fashion Month they favour clothes that look good round the clock), plus the details that separate the ‘Yes We Knows’ from everyone else.
The rest of us civilians may not have the means to pull off a fashion editor’s (FE’s) look, or even want to, but who doesn’t want some of that insider fashion knowledge… especially if it doesn’t involve spending a penny.
So here it is: the cheat’s guide to dressing like a fashion editor (or just more in the know).
Oversized blazers are your new best friend
Arguably the hardest-working item in the fashion editor’s wardrobe and the one that it’s important to get right.
The oversized rule applies to practically everything in the FE’s wardrobe, from trousers to trench coats, and that includes blazers. Aim for big on the shoulders, single-breasted and long.
Fashion editors will buy theirs from Stella McCartney and Toteme but the canny ones also have Arket (Arket.com) and Aligne (Aligne.co).
FE NOTE: Wear with a T-shirt in warm weather and push the sleeves up.
Heed the new rules for jeans
We’re in a transition period with jeans but, suffice to say, that a lean flare or bootcut made several appearances during fashion month and the newness, as well as flattering silhouette, has made them the FE’s frontrunner.
The rule with jeans for now is slightly oversize (naturally), high to medium waist and occasionally tucked in.
FE NOTE: If straight cut, roll jeans up a little to show a flash of bare ankle and wear with a kitten heel.
Mix up texture
Cord jacket, £375, layered cashmere twinset, £275, meandem.com
Fashion Editors play with texture the way the rest of the world plays with colour.
A brushed alpaca coat over leather trousers, faux fur with denim, knits in different scales and thickness under a suede coat.
One FE tip is to sling a sweater around your neck. This is not a new styling trick but an FE approved way of adding texture, creating a nonchalant slouchy vibe and keeping warm.
FE NOTE: A sweater on top of a sweater is the new big scarf.
Bare-legged and unbuttoned
If there’s a chance you are wearing a skirt, the first rule of FEs is bare legs – whatever the weather.
This means limbs that look as glossy as a models on the catwalk. Exfoliating and moisturising (tinted moisturiser or fake tan if your legs are pasty white) are all essential, plus a pedicure if you’re wearing sandals.
Cleavage is of zero interest to FEs but they like to wear a shirt unbuttoned low enough for bra glimpses.
FE NOTE: Wearing a jacket with nothing underneath is old school FE.
Shoes are everything
Boots are practical and the flat ankle boot and the short boot with a block heel are part of the FE’s arsenal, and not forgetting the latest trainers and mid-kitten heel slingbacks.
FE NOTE: Asics trainers are still the cool go-to brand.
Take all your basics seriously
If there’s one thing an FE takes incredibly seriously, it’s their white T-shirts. Short and long-sleeved, fashion editors think nothing of buying them from Saint Laurent. Cos is the affordable alternative for us civilians, or Me+Em.
FE NOTE: Everything matters including your socks and your hair tie.
Ignore the seasons
As in wear bare legs and sandals in February, bring out your faux fur in May, wear white in winter and black in summer and a lace slip under a sheepskin when there is snow forecast.
FE NOTE: Along with an element of ‘undone’, a show of the unexpected is key.
Stick to a safe colour palette
Black, dark navy, grey, white, cream, brown (including all the mochas and cinnamons) and even khaki are now acceptable.
For decades fashion editors mainly wore black but things have eased up and shades of light and dark brown, greys and all the creams (the stealth wealth palette) are worn widely. Red (a pop of) is an FE favourite but already becoming too familiar for it to stick around for long.
FE NOTE: Bright colour, pattern and prints don’t age well.
Just say no to…
- Tights — bare ankles and calves are key to the FE’s look.
- Tat jewellery — wear less and make it count. Don’t bother with novelty earrings, friendship bracelets, semi-precious stones.
- A French tuck — as in wearing your top half in, half out. Overdone and now what a fashion editor would consider rather basic.
- Fancy or coloured spectacle frames — you’re wearing sunglasses anyway, very important part of the look.
- Fake eyelashes and nails and strong make-up.
