(Shopping)
Australian Fashion Week Resort 2023: Shop The Best Street Style Trends
You’re going to want everything.
Back in early March, as industry insiders boarded their home-bound flights and bid adieu to Paris, you heard how the French capital’s Fall/Winter 2022 runways were the last of this year’s fashion showings. But, admittedly, that wasn’t exactly true because, from May 9 to May 13, Australia hosts its own series of runways and presentations. The Down Under showings aren’t technically part of the industry-recognized calendar, but they are worthy of your attention nevertheless — particularly when it comes to the well-dressed crowd that attends. To wit, TZR scoured the best Australian Fashion Week Resort 2023 street style trends to shop and highlighted which sought-after items you should absolutely add to your cart.
Lisa Ruffle, Moda Operandi’s Ready-to-Wear Buying Manager and an Australian native, scoped out the Afterpay-sponsored fashion week IRL and shares her observations with TZR over email. She says AAFW Resort 2023 kicked off in Sydney’s Carriageworks with attendees in breezy sundresses and jumpsuits made of muted, lightweight linens, all of which captured the effortless and beach-reminiscent vibe you’d expect of an Aussie-led fashion week. “Other standout trends include neutral tailoring, head to toe tonal looks, longline tailored coats and the wide leg trouser,” offers Ruffle.
She adds, however, that many showgoers steered away from a laidback, surf-ready style and leaned into maximalism instead. Maxine Wylde, for one, wore her version of a 2022 spacesuit, consisting of silver joggers, a matching metallic jacket, and a sculptural, alien-like Chet Lo top. Saturated suiting was also a common theme of note at AAFW, with Violet Grace Atkinson and Elodie Russell both sporting two-piece tailored looks in electric colors. As Ruffle says, “The suit is undoubtedly the must-have look of AAFW.”
Okay, do you have your credit card at the ready? Without further ado, shop the on-trend pieces spotted at AAFW ahead.
We at TZR only include products that have been independently selected by our editors. We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.
“Bottega Veneta is the reigning king of accessories,” says Ruffe, shouting out the brand’s Padded Cassette Bag as an It item she spotted frequently.
Master the dopamine dressing phenomenon by choosing a multicolored dress in a voluminous silhouette — like Leo Lin’s rainbow striped frock. It’s guaranteed to raise your spirits.
Novelty handbags are on the rise — just look to Hanan Ibrahim’s quirky-chic elephant tote by Loewe.
For a more summery approach to suiting, choose a cropped blazer — perhaps one with trendy midriff-flossing straps — and a matching pair of trousers in a breezy, wide-leg design. Ruffle shouts out Bottega Veneta again, saying its Teen Pouch Leather Clutch was an accessory she saw fashion girls using to complete their looks.
Take a lesson from Suzan Mutesi on how to elevate relaxed and beachy pieces to a fashion week-worthy level. She wore a white linen BONDI BORN jumpsuit with luxe accessories, including a navy scarf, a straw bag, and dramatically oversized white sunnies.
As expected, Chet Lo, an up-and-coming designer celebrated for his spiky, almost extraterrestrial knitwear, was a fashion-girl favorite at Australian Fashion Week. Pictured here, Maxine Wylde paired a colorful gradient halter top with a metallic, athluxe-esque tracksuit and JW Anderson’s ‘The Bumper’ bag.
Need a new summer sundress to usher in the season? Look no further than this nautical frock from ALÉMAIS, aptly dubbed Ships Ahoy. And then, if you’re partial to a “girly meets grunge” clash, pair the breezy tiered dress with chunky black boots as this guest did.
Why limit yourself to just one bold color when you can sport multiple at once for an optimal mood-boosting effect? A highly saturated, striped tank — Zankov’s, for instance — makes for an impactful hero piece for summer 2022.
As evidenced by Lauren Burns, white on white doesn’t equate to boring. The key is to rely on pieces with strategic and eye-catching details — like the mustard-colored stitched button enclosures on Camilla and Marc’s denim shacket.
Vibrant suiting has always been a favored option amongst fashion week attendees. A colorful and tailored two-piece set always yields a striking, head-turning effect — which obviously is the goal when hoping to catch the attention of street style photographers.
Fleur Egan broke away from the beach-ready, nonchalant vibe synonymous with Australian style and curated more of a scene-stealing moment instead. She chose Tory Burch’s graphic dress with a verdant corseted bodice — a statement look the brand first unveiled in its Spring/Summer 2022 runway show.
Talk about pretty in pink — Elodie Russell donned a head-to-toe bubblegum look, courtesy of Jacquemus. You might recognize her circular purse, too, as it’s a cult favorite amongst the A-list crowd.
Architectural novelty bags were prevalent at Australian Fashion Week, meaning you can safely assume they’ll be ubiquitous throughout the coming season. For proof, look to Violet Grace Atkinson’s emerald Prada bag in the shape of the brand’s iconic triangle logo.
If you want to participate in summer 2022’s butterfly revival in a less literal way, consider integrating a piece that borrows from the winged creature’s silhouette instead of an explicit motif. Aje’s butterfly smock dress, as Katrina West demonstrated, is an inspired choice.
For those who dress with their inner child in mind, you’re likely no stranger to the beaded bag trend. Cindy Rostron chose a neon purse from the Melbourne/Naarm-based brand, Erik Yvon.
Nope, your eyes don’t deceive you: Amelia Marni styled a romantic, Bridgerton-esque corset with a pair of Dion Lee’s cargo pants. The outfit is gorp-ified Regencycore — and it works.
