Fashion editors might be the prime suspects in committing fashion faux pas, but that doesn’t mean we’ll ever stop experimenting. This New York Fashion Week, ELLE’s staffers are getting down with a Copenhagen “maybe we’d all be this cheerful if we had universal health care!” aesthetic, show-hopping in Little Women nightgowns, and joining the #SmartNYFW challenge to promote sustainability and only wearing secondhand clothing. Peep their front-row style, here.
Veronique Hyland, Fashion Features Director
“I’ve been inspired by what I’m seeing on my feed from Copenhagen Fashion Week. The riotous mix of puffy jackets, bright colors and fun, comfortable footwear seems like a great equation for cold-weather dressing. Maybe we’d all be this cheerful if we had universal health care! I’ll be shrugging off seasonal affective disorder in my trusty reflective puffer over a girlie dress and tights. A search for ‘formal hiking boots’ uncovered these Simon Miller (uncut?) gems. And I’ll be carrying the It-book of the season—Jenny Offill’s new novel, Weather—in a bag from this vegan line.”
Tory Burch Reversible Jacket, $597, farfetch.com; Cecilie Bahnsen Alexa Dress, €1,595, ceciliebahnsen.com; Simon Miller Low Tracker Boots, $245; shopbop.com; Weather: A novel by Jenny Offill, $16, amazon.com; HVISK Cayman Bag, $95, lisasaysgah.com
Chloe Hall, Digital Beauty Director
“Big Businesswoman Energy is my vibe for 2020, and the upcoming NYFW. I want to wake up each day of fashion week to Dolly Partons’s ‘9 to 5’ and slip into my business lady special. The special varies from oversized blazers and slip dresses to Bernie Sanders-inspired slacks and cashmere sweater scarf sets. It may be 2020 but I want to channel my inner ‘80s finance executive making it in the big city. I’ve invested in a solid pair of Grandpa slacks from & Other Stories and a Puff Sleeve Zip Back Top from The Frankie Shop. Neutrals that scream, ‘I drink lots of red wine and never spill.’ I already have the perfect black mascara, thank you Rihanna, and a new red lip I’m currently obsessing over from Gucci. The last bit is a pair of heels for the shows and sneakers for the subway. You can have it all!”
Frankie Shop Puff Sleeve Zip Back Top, $125, thefrankieshop.com; Stories Belted Paperbag Waist Trousers, $89, stories.com; Beige Golf Le Fleur Gianno Sneakers, $130, ssense.com; Jennifer Fisher Samira Hoop, $500, jenniferfisherjewelry.com; Gucci Rouge à Lèvres Mat Matte Lipstick, $42, sephora.com; Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Mascara, $24. sephora.com
Justine Carreon, Senior Market Editor
“My eBay account is as old as a 9th grader, so to say I like shopping for gently used fashion is an understatement. This season I’m joining Vestiaire Collective for the #SmartNYFW challenge and only wearing secondhand items and clothes I already own. It’s easy peasy, considering that means I get to wear things from my favorite collections, like Prada’s goth shirts from a few seasons ago. They speak to my current aesthetic: snotty 14-year-old boy, but add vintage Chanel. Also, I’m determined to bring back the iconic Tiffany heart necklace; It’s long overdue to make a comeback.”
Prada Shirt, $352, vestiairecollective.com; Citizens of Humanity Gaia Cargo Pants, $288, nordstrom.com; Prada Shirt, $352, vestiairecollective.com; Chanel Flap Bag, $2,890, rebag.com; Dr. Martens Platform Shoes, $155, drmartens.com; Tiffany Sterling Silver Heart Necklace, $245, fashionphile.com
Jade Vallario, Accessories Editor
“I don’t switch out my closet seasonally like most women; I try to wear my Spring favorites all year long with added layers. This NYFW I’m really excited to wear my new Osman platform Zebra sandals. I know I should wait til Spring, but I can’t (sorry mom). I’ll be fine with a pair of tights and socks! I only splurge on staple items that I can dream up a dozen different outfits with like this little black dress from Marc Jacobs. Of course, an outfit of mine is not complete without pattern mixing, so I’ll add some Swiss dot tights and the cutest mini cow-print bag from By Far.”
Shrimps Otis Jacket, $775, shrimps.com; Marc Jacobs Little Black Dress, $595, marcjacobs.com; Emma Brewin Faux Fur Bucket Hat, $380, net-a-porter.com; Osman Gesa Platform Sandals, $342, matchesfashion.com; By Far Mini Cow Print Bag, $515, byfar.com; Falke Dot Tights, $17.50, net-a-porter.com
Nerisha Penrose, Assistant Editor
“Larry David’s fashion theory has stuck with me since he revealed it in his new GQ cover story: You should only wear one ‘nice’ clothing piece at a time. ‘You have to be half-dressed,’ he said. So for fashion week, that’s exactly the mentality I’m adopting. As ELLE.com’s resident cozy girl, I’ll be living in looks that are more lax, comfortable, and effortless, aka sweatsuits. But not your typical lounge-on-the-couch knits; I’m reaching for sets in bold colors—bubble gum pink, mint green, fire red, etc.—and topping them off with a statement jacket.”
Asos Vinyl Trenchcoat, $131, asos.com; Everlane Pima Micro Rib Turtleneck, $35, everlane.com; Alice & Olivia Benny Track Pant, $395, aliceandolivia.com; Nike Air Force 1 07, $90, nike.com
Naomi Rougeau, Senior Fashion Editor
“For a native Texan, Fashion Week in February calls for one thing: staying warm. I swear by my Daehlie base layers—if they can keep my warm while cross-country skiing in subzero Canadian temps, they’ll do for an NYC winter (plus the colors are fun!). And heels? Not with this much running around. Instead you’ll find me in my trusty L.L.Bean shearling boots. My new favorite addition: custom cashmere flannel shirts from Hamilton and jeans from sustainable denim brand Boyish.”
Hamilton Classic Navy Poplin, $275, hamiltonwomens.com; Boyish Jeans Tommy High-Waist Jeans, $168, nordstrom.com; Dahlie Pants Airnet, $90, dahlie.com; L.L.Bean Bean Boots, $229, llbean.com
Katie Connor, Digital Director
“Confession: I haven’t seen Greta Gerwig’s Little Women yet but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been influenced! This season, I’m trying to break my all-black all-the-time style habit and dip into some Americana fashion. That means roomy outerwear, shiny boots, and shirtdresses that are as close to a nightgown as I can get. 2020 has been a year already, so I’m all about comfort, just make it classic.”
Michelle Waugh Veronica Boyfriend Coat, $595, michellewaugh.com; Deveaux Nye Linen Shirt Dress, $447.50, net-a-porter.com; Tibi Rowan Boots, $460, net-a-porter.com; Patagonia Hat, $35, nordstrom.com; Loren Stewart Friendship 14k Safety Pin Earring, $180, nordstrom.com
Katie Becker, Beauty Director
“Because my main duties during fashion week involve being backstage, the name of the game is comfort (i.e. sneakers) and freedom of hands (i.e. a decent sized crossbody bag) so I can take notes, snap pics, and test out a new product or two on the back of a hand. It also gets dang hot back there, so I try to keep my layers simple. I’ll also opt for trousers instead of jeans on the off chance I have time to actually sit the for show before dashing to the next backstage. A bright red lipstick will also make me look less weekend, more fashion week.”
Topshop Classic Double Breasted Coat, $130, nordstrom.com; Entireworld Type A Version 1 Corduroy Trousers, $95, nordstrom.com; Marni Trunk Shoulder Bag, $1,950, net-a-porter.com; Nike Daybreak Women’s Shoe, $90, nike.com; Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro Liquid Lipstick in 300, $38, giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com
Rosie Jarman, Fashion Market Assistant
“The only thing I truly care about, no matter the season, is a pretty dress. I will go to any length to make my favorites work all year round, thus, high-February in New York City calls for layers. This season the game plan is: a ribbed knit, a silk slip dress, a cozy button cardigan and a structured coat. It’s a strategic recipe made for shedding layers as you move from frigid streets to crowded showrooms. A strong boot means you’re ready for anything – rain, sleet, or snow, and a silk moiré box bag holds all the necessities (everything ends up in my coat pockets anyway).”
Zara Bottoned Coat, $90, zara.com; Live the Process Cardigan, $275, modaoperandi.com; Sleeper Camelia Silk Slip, $390, the-sleeper.com; Giu Giu Turtleneck, $345; garmentory.com; For the Ages Ineva Baguette, $205, fortheagesny.com; Ganni Western Knee Boots, $675, ganni.com
Justine Carreon is the market editor at ELLE.com covering fashion, Dutch ovens, and fashion again.
