London Fashion Week: Street Style Round Up -

By Sara Robards

London Fashion Week 2018 marked another exciting week exploring LondonÔÇÖs diverse fashion talent. The shows offered everything from the chic silhouettes of Victoria BeckhamÔÇÖs first London Show, the muted retro glamour of Alexa ChungÔÇÖs debut ready-to wear line, to the bold, experimental streetwear designs from House of Holland.

Industry professionals and influencers flocked to the shows in their droves, desperate for access to next seasonÔÇÖs trends, with photographers lining the streets outside the venues in a bid to capture the street style of LondonÔÇÖs most stylish. However, whilst the catwalk dictates next seasonÔÇÖs trends, it is in fact influencers and their show-ready outfits that shape the trends for now, arguably making Fashion Week just as much about what influencers wear to the shows as it is about the Fashion Week designs themselves.

Fashion Week Street Style offers us outfit inspiration that is far more relatable than the extravagance of the catwalk. The excitement around Street Style comes from the ability to picture ourselves walking the streets in such looks. Street Style is still aspirational, yes, but isnÔÇÖt that the idea on which the entire fashion industry is founded? It may not be our everyday style yet, but it can be, even for the budget- conscious student surviving solely off their student loan. I have gathered a few of the key London Fashion Week street style trends and provided affordable alternatives for those on a student budget, (links included).

Leopard Print

Leopard print is everywhere at the moment and is the perfect print to spice up any autumn look; Topshop even have a whole section dedicated to leopard print products on their website, so you know that itÔÇÖs here to stay. If you are daunted by the bold print, why not go subtle and layer a long-sleeved leopard top like this Urban Outfitters mesh underneath an oversized t-shirt or throw a coat on top. Alternatively, if youÔÇÖre ready to fully embrace the trend, why not go all out in this Topshop co-ord, a bold look guaranteed to make you stand out around campus?

Chunky Trainers

Chunky sole trainers are back in and itÔÇÖs time to discard your classic Adidas Stan Smiths in favour of this bigger, comfier and all together better trainer. Yes, they may resemble your dadÔÇÖs trainers in the 80ÔÇÖs but thanks to brands such as Balenciaga and Raf Simons they are back in and every influencer is wearing them. There are no rules for how to wear the chunky sole look, with London Fashion Week attendees pairing them with both feminine floral dresses and androgynous suits, so style them with any outfit you desire. And donÔÇÖt worry if you donÔÇÖt have a spare ┬ú600 of your student loan to spend on Balenciaga Triple SÔÇÖs, High Street brands such as Pull and Bear, Public Desire and Topshop are all creating their own affordable versions of the highly sought after shoe, with some affordable options below.

Flares

Flares are everywhere this autumn and are the perfect capsule piece for every student. They are possibly the comfiest trouser in your wardrobe (aside from trackies of course!) but unlike trackies they actually make you look put-together and thus are the perfect piece to throw on for lectures. You may be thinking that black stretch flares are little overdone, but these London Street Style influencers offer alternative ways to sass up the popular trend. Try patterned flares such as this checked pair from Stradivarius or purchase a denim pair, guaranteed to replace your black skinny jeans as your go-to denim look.

Boiler suits

When people think of Boiler Suits they immediately think of their industrial use, a plumberÔÇÖs work clothes or a jail jumpsuit rather than a wearable fashion piece, but LondonÔÇÖs influencers are challenging this perception with their 2018 Street Style looks. Many fashion week attendees were spotted rocking a Boiler Suit to this yearÔÇÖs shows and whilst it may not be your first thought when you think of lecture-ready clothing, whatÔÇÖs not to love about a comfy and stylish all in one? ┬áThe secret to rocking the Boiler Suit is accessorising, pair the jumpsuit with some funky belts to accentuate the waist and throw on some heeled boots or chunky sole trainers to achieve a fashion week ready look on a student budget.

So, no excuses, with the student loans coming in time for the end of Fashion Week, your Street Style aspirations can become reality.