The Unassuming Color That's About to Be Everywhere
It might feel wrong, but in today's fashion landscape, the trends people are most excited about aren't necessarily the most traditionally exciting. Bold prints, loud colors, and interesting textures were once responsible for spikes in our natural dopamine levels. That isn't the case anymore. As we see elegance, low-key luxury, and timelessness take precedence over anything that makes too obvious of a statement, formerly unassuming pieces, from handbags and shoes to ready-to-wear, have found themselves on fashion's top step.
As such, a certain color that's long been attached to a dull and uninspiring reputation is finally receiving positive attention: gray. No longer associated with matching sweatsuits à la Rocky or damp, dreary weather, in 2024, gray's more likely to conjure up images of Prada, Gucci, and Victoria Beckham runway shows, where monochrome creations and standout accessories were colored in various shades of the revamped hue. It's time to add the gray items we all cumulatively lusted over during fashion month. Don't worry, I went ahead and shopped them all out for you below. (You're welcome.)
The London-based design duo behind 16Arlington, Marco Capaldo and Federica Cavenati, proved in their S/S 24 collection that gray can pop just as vividly as even the most saturated hues, especially when it's paired with the right accessories and contrasting colors.
This looks like something a supermodel in the '90s would have worn.
If you just so happen to love a sweatsuit and hate me just a little bit for making a dig at them in the text above, then maybe this Victoria Beckham look will right my wrongs. Basically, it's the chic, far more elevated version of Nick and Schmidt's "swuit," or a suit made entirely out of sweatsuit material, from New Girl. And I'm 100% here for it.
I do, in fact, own a similar knit top, and let me tell you it's perfect.
If you thought comfortable heels couldn't exist, you haven't added any chic wedges into your collection. The added support makes all of the difference.
Gucci's Ancora collection, the first by the brand's new creative director, Sabato de Sarno, was the talk of fashion month last September, and for good reason. From these sexy, stylish groutfits to plenty of delicious burgundy details, it featured one of every item I'm currently lusting over.
The best part about this skirt is how good it is with knee high boots.
Anything included in Prada's S/S 24 collection is going straight into the hall of fame in my book. With that logic, this all-gray, tailored ensemble is all the proof you should need to know that gray *is* the moment.
Cozy doesn't even begin to describe this alpaca-blend Toteme knit.
You'll be hard-pressed to find someone more capable of making something once considered mundane exciting and buzz-worthy than Loewe's creative director, Jonathan Anderson, who sent this knit, monochrome look down the runway, spurring demand for all things gray.
Carven's spring collection was by far one of the most talked-about of the season. From the satin footwear and sheer skirts to its luxe outerwear and all-gray ensembles, everything included in it is deserving of high praise.
This 100% cashmere knit has all of the makings of a wardrobe staple.
The Row's spring collection proved once and for all that comfort and style aren't mutually exclusive with this all-gray, jersey dress-with-pants look.
I don't know if I've ever seen a suit look more relaxed and nonchalant as this all-gray style from Maximilian Davis's latest collection for Ferragamo. The two separate shades of the color really elevate the whole ensemble.
There is no limit to the styling possibilities that come with purchasing this sweater.
Last but not least, here is solid proof that fashion approves of gray—after all, it was featured here in Chanel's recent haute couture collection in the form of a delicate gray blazer dress with matching tights and black peep-toe pumps. That's no small feat.
This is low-key the most practical dress.
This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Eliza Huber is a New York-based senior fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and the intersection of sports and fashion. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 after almost four years on the fashion team at Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a marketing degree from the University of Iowa. She has since launched two monthly columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled the likes of Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter for WWW's monthly cover features; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top trends from fashion month, season after season. Eliza lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, running in Central Park, and scouring The RealReal for discounted Prada.
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