London Has Spoken—These 8 Fashion Trends Are Big News Right Now

When it comes to style, London is one of the most dialled-in cities in the world. A cross between the polish of Paris, the edginess of New York, and the playfulness of Milan, London is perhaps the most eclectic of all the major fashion locales; you never quite know what outfits you'll see or which trends you'll spot. This is true of the runway as well as the street, the latter of which, I'd argue, is where you'll find the most inspiration.

I now work and live remotely (in the countryside, no less), so I rely on the outfits I see coming out of the capital to inform not only my own wares but also what I choose to share with you here, on Who What Wear. Still, being on the peripheral is helpful, as it allows me to take a more nuanced look at the London fashion trends that truly matter and resonate. And today, I'm going to show you the looks and pieces I think will have the biggest impact on your 2023 aesthetic directly from the capital.

From the classic outerwear trend that's impossible to ignore to the trainers fashion people are favouring, below, I've assembled eight London fashion trends for this year I think you're going to like. Scroll on to discover them.

1. Grey Outerwear

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(Image credit: @symphonyofsilk)

Style Notes: Londoners are adept at taking simple pieces and making them feel fresh again and, right now, everyone seems to be showcasing classic grey outerwear with trending pieces, as evidenced here by Lorna in her grey woollen coat and Adidas Samba trainers. 

Shop the trend:

2. Jazzy Fleeces

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(Image credit: @emmarosestyle)

Style Notes: Accustomed to dressing for colder climes, Londoners feel at home in bold knitwear and jumper styles. Case in point, the jazzy printed fleeces that are everywhere I seem to look at the moment.

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3. New Balance 327s

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(Image credit: @monikh)

Style Notes: In London, trainers go way beyond the commute or gym session; they're a status symbol, and slipping on a trending pair will make any outfit feel current. Right now, there's a definitive penchant for New Balance 327s

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4. Dark-Wash Jeans

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(Image credit: @theindiaedit)

Style Notes: Although faded blue jeans will never go out of style and will always be commonplace on the streets of London, I've witnessed a shift to darker washes of late, which look seriously high-end. 

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5. Checked Minis

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(Image credit: @lucywilliams02)

Style Notes: The preppy trend might have been a big deal on the runway, but it's an aesthetic the London style set has been embracing for years. In lieu of the pleated minis that are currently dominating my IG feed, the city's inhabitants tend to get their preppy fix by way of checked styles, as seen on Lucy Williams. 

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6. Sling Bags

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(Image credit: @daniellejinadu)

Style Notes: Whether they have their hands nestled deeply in their pockets for warmth, are plotting a destination into Google Maps on their iPhone, or carrying a plethora of tote bags, London girls prefer to keep their hands free for more important activities. This is why, I think, they've bought into the sling bag trend in a big way for 2023. 

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7. Corduroy Separates

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(Image credit: @louisahatt)

Style Notes: It might be a firm fixture in the wardrobes of French women, but corduroy fabrications hail from Britain and are essential in the closets of those in the capital. Why? The textile is thicker than many other fabric options—it's more akin to jeans than anything else—making it ideal for the cooler temperatures we experience year-around. After a seasonal hiatus, corduroy pieces are very much back on the London fashion trend scene for 2023. 

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8. Over-the-Knee Boots

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(Image credit: @_jessicaskye)

Style Notes: If you've brushed up on the boot trends for 2023, then you'll already know that over-the-knee styles are set to be big news for the year ahead. Consistently quick off the mark, London girls are already wearing them. 

Shop the trend:

Next Up: Spring/Summer 2023 Fashion Trends: 21 Expert-Approved Looks You Need to See

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.