According to stylists, shoulder pads and bold colours are going to be huge fashion trends in 2024.
For designers, fashionistas and tastemakers far and wide, London Fashion Week is one of the events of the year, setting style trends for the year ahead. February 2024’s was no different, with shows presented by flagship labels from JW Anderson and Simone Rocha, as well as a number of emerging brands, including Dilara Fındıkoğlu and Conner Ives.
Celebrities such as Cara Delevingne, Barry Keoghan and Lila Moss gathered to watch Burberry’s show in Victoria Park, which previewed a collection designed by chief creative officer, Daniel Lee. Elsewhere, Jameela Jamil and Tracey Emin gathered at Seymour Hall to preview JW Anderson’s latest offering.
If you’re wondering how to translate catwalk fashion into wearable, everyday style, we’ve got you covered. Below, we speak to fashion stylists Ellis Ranson and Lauren Glazer to get the lowdown on the trends that dominated runways, and how you can get the look.
What are the key trends from London Fashion Week 2024?
“Power shoulders were huge this year, seen in shows by Rocky Star and Saint Laurent, among others,” says London-based fashion stylist and creative consultant Lauren Glazer. “To me, power shoulders, portrayed with shoulder pads or embellished shoulder designs, exude confidence and can really help make you feel that little bit more powerful. I expect high street brands will jump on this trend soon, making it accessible for most.”
According to stylist Ellis Ranson, the colour oxblood was also popular this LFW, incorporated into collections by designers including Roksanda and Emilia Wickstead .
How can people incorporate fashion week trends in their own wardrobes?
“Power shoulders can be incorporated in both your day and evening wear,” says Lauren. “For the day, you could wear an outfit that you’d normally go for but enhance it with a jacket with strong shoulders. Some brands are currently incorporating power shoulders into their silhouette — for example, COS is selling T-shirts with added shoulder pads, which is a great way to elevate your day-to-day look.”
For night-time looks, Lauren recommends a power dress (a dress that you know you’ll feel your most confident in) with structured shoulders, which will combine the femininity of a dress with the masculine look of power shoulders.
Adding a pop of colour is another good way to create catwalk-inspired looks, suggests Ellis. “A great way to bring in some of the trends is to start with the colours that were featured heavily,” she says. “For example, adding an oxblood item or accessory into your everyday wardrobe in a shape or style you’re familiar with also works well.”
Ellis also recommends relooking at your current wardrobe, as trends always come in and out of style, and you might already have something that fits the look. Also, think vintage or pre-loved — most of these trends have been around before, and you can always find some great hidden gems.
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What are the capsule wardrobe items that I should invest in?
Capsule items are items of clothing that everyone should have in their wardrobes — those timeless pieces that you can reach for everyday and make work as part of any outfit.
According to Ellis, a blazer with shoulder pads is a must-have piece in your wardrobe, as it’s easy to wear year-round with jeans or even a minidress. She also recommends investing in a cropped jacket that you could pair with wide-leg trousers or a denim maxi or midi skirt — a trend that Ellis doesn’t see going anywhere anytime soon.
“A patterned statement jacket is absolutely a key item to buy,” says Lauren. “People say ‘let the jacket be the outfit’, and that really is the case. Whether you’re wearing tailored trousers and a T-shirt, jeans and a crisp shirt or a black dress, the opportunities for styling a statement jacket are endless.”
Any personal favourite LFW shows?
“Simkhai is a personal favourite brand of mine and the pieces always fit very well,” says Lauren. “Simkhai’s RTW (ready to wear) collection is my favourite, filled with a combination of style, simplicity and edge, while also feeling like the pieces are timeless.”
Ellis, meanwhile, is a fan of David Koma. “I love the strong shapes and bold, block colours, plus the styling is always perfect,” she says. “He really tapped into the classic monochrome trend this season, which is easy for everyone to wear.”
“I styled the Amy Lynn show this season, which was also up there as one of my favourite fashion moments over LFW,” Ellis continues. “Centring a metallic disco aesthetic, the puffball trend was a heavy focus here, with drop-waist dresses in new colourways for the brand.”
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