The One Trend I Couldn't Wait To Buy After Going To Paris

Living out of a suitcase is tricky enough for a weekend trip to Miami or Palm Springs, but packing for 17 days of fasbion shows with just a single checked bag and one carry on takes strategy. But speaking from experience, the limited space sparks creativity, motivating me to look for trends and styling tricks that can help keep my look feeling fresh. Im more tuned into whats going on and off the runway when I don't have a full closet to fall back on. In fact, the fall street style trends I saw outside of the shows in Paris were some of what excited me most. In part, because they're designed for this exact time instead of an entire season ahead.

Many in the fashion industry struggle with the term "influencer," using it loosely to describe a range of show attendees posting on social media. But, the honest truth is that those outside of the show have influenced the pieces I'm thinking about purchasing in the month ahead. See a chunky Prada boot once and it might seem over the top. See it ten times, and you realise just how versatile it is.

The other beautiful thing about lingering outside of the shows with the peers is that I've have the chance to chat-up my international counterparts and discover the brands and trends that are inspiring them in their far-flung locales and check them out myself. So what stood out to me in Paris? Below, find the trends I'm planning to shop (if I haven't purchased them already).

All Over Leather

I own a motorcycle jacket, and more recently, a leather trench. But I saw so many examples of great head-to-toe leather (or faux) looks in Paris, I'm inspired to find ways to adopt this sleek — and weather-friendly — look anew. Lindsay Peoples Wagner's maroon suiting is polished, but has just the right amount of sartorial edge.

Barely-There Turtleneck

We already know that fitted turtlenecks are the easy styling piece that can transform your usual fall staples. But after seeing Asai's bold iteration, and Marine Serre's logo style more times than I can count, I'm armed with all the ammo I need to convince me to add to cart.

Prada Platforms

Prada's platform brogues and boots were the sleeper hit of Paris. The chunky footwear may seem a bit too punk for a more polished dresser, but the fact that editors and street style stars of every ilk managed to sport them — with voluminous dresses, jeans, and trousers alike — is proof that they're more wearable than you might believe upon first glance.

Vests

Oftentimes runway trends will spark a sartorial moment well before the designs presented hit stores. So was the case this season, when brands like Louis Vuitton and Celine presented fitted '70s iterations. At the same time, those outside the shows modeled both fitted and oversized styles, using them as a piece for contrasting color and texture.

Shrunken Sweaters

If you're on the hunt for your next fall sweater, you may want to consider buying a style that shows a bit more skin than your used to. I was taken with the prevalence of cute shrunken cardigans and sweaters this season, which I would ideally pair with a pair of high-waisted jeans.

Big Bags

Apparently, bags these days are all about taking things to extremes. While I have no plan to retire my tiny Jacquemus number just yet, I'm extremely enticed by the oversized Bottega Veneta styles I spotted on the street (and the sleek jumbo-sized tote on the Nanushka runway). As a New York commuter, I like the idea of swapping my small-bag-and-canvas-tote combo for a single style to do it all.

The Short Of It

2019's shorts season may be drawing to a close, but I'm still planning to pick up a pair of knee-length Bermudas before the year is out. In part, because it's my wishful thinking that I'll have a beach vacation to break them out for soon, but also because I know that this trend has staying power, so I can break out a bit now and lean into heavily next year.