French Glamour: The Styling Combo That I Can't Wait to Wear
There were a lot of thrills on the S/S 23 runways, but in my book, the moment that bested them all belonged to Saint Laurent. In a dazzling presentation set against the Eiffel Tower, Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello sent down one of his strongest silhouettes to date: padded-shoulder maxi coats layered over skintight jumpsuits and body-hugging maxi dresses. While Vaccarello also heavily showcased sheer dresses and seductive midriff cutouts, it was this maxi coat-and-dress pairing that ruled the show (14 out of its 49 looks to be exact). And apparently, I wasn't the only fan. (Beyoncé wore one of the looks to her Renaissance album release party only a few days later.) Reportedly inspired by performer Martha Graham and '80s French glamour, the overall styling felt unabashedly glossy, elegant, and enigmatic.
Although runway trends usually take some time before they're able to be directly interpreted, this trend descended in the middle of maxi-hemline mania—meaning there's no shortage of maxi dresses and coats to make this look work. As any fashion obsessive would, I did my homework and compiled a few options of the styling combo for you. Below, see how to pull off Saint Laurent's vision of French glamour right now before the runway collection drops.
On the Runway
Shop Maxi Coat & Dress Combos
Ann Demeulemeester Wool Coat + Reformation Brendan Dress
Silk and wool feel opposing in texture, which makes for an even better visual combination.
ASOS Faux Leather Coat + The Line by K Calli Dress
True to Saint Laurent's styling, try a monochromatic palette for added drama.
Lapointe Double-Breasted Coat + Auteur Poppy Knit Dress
Frame Oversized Puffer Trench + Loulou Studio Kara Maxi Dress
If it's not as cold where you are, an oversize trench coat paired with a low-key knit maxi dress also looks infinitely chic.
Khaite Estelle Long Coat + Balenciaga Crepe Maxi Dress
Ronny Kobo Josephine Faux Leather Coat + Aya Muse Carrara Dress
Bouguessa Noura Coat + Skims Lounge Long Sleeve Maxi Dress
Technically it's a lounge dress, but the viral Skims maxi has won fans for its versatility. You'll want to layer over a nice wool coat to tie everything together.
Karen Millen Signature Ponyskin Oversized Maxi Coat + Zara Strapless Dress
Not only will ponyskin keep you warm, but it's also an ideal layer for a calendar of holiday parties.
ASOS Smart Dad Coat + Zara Long Knit Dress
The exaggerated shoulders on this cobalt blue coat favor Saint Laurent's power-shoulder toppers.
Sergio Hudson Double-Breasted Duster + Mango Cross Back Knit Dress
Aleksandre Akhalkatsishvili Faux-Leather Coat + Manuri Connie Dress
Dries Van Noten Zebra Coat + Alaïa Strapless Maxi Dress
Next up: I Went on a Nordstrom Deep Dive—Here Are 28 Trendy Dresses I'm Losing It Over
Indya Brown is a fashion editor, stylist, and writer living in Los Angeles. After graduating in 2016, she joined The Cut as a fashion assistant, eventually working her way up to fashion editor. While New York has been her home for over 10 years, she moved to Los Angeles in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 for a new chapter where she started working at Who What Wear, focusing on emerging designers, rising trends on and off the internet, interior design, and BIPOC creatives and brands. Aside from her work at Who What Wear, Brown is also a freelance stylist and writer, working on national print and video commercial campaigns for Sephora, The Independent, and Cadillac. Her bylines also include Harper's Bazaar, Vox, and The New York Times.
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