by: Laura Milligan
Next week, Fashion Weeks around the world kick off with Copenhagen, Berlin, New York, London, Milan and Paris, plus LA, Vancouver and other cities that have lower-profile but still exciting, innovative shows. If you’re an editor, writer, photographer, blogger, or just hanger-on (no shame), how are you going to decide what to wear to the most fashionable events in the world?
Refinery 29 editorial intern Beverly Fong
Believe it or not, you’ll want to dress sort of like you do every day, except a bit more nicely. Unless you have a hired car, seat assignments and your own mini-portfolio on Style.com, Jak & Jil or The Sartorialist, you’ll kill yourself either by tripping in your high, pointy heels or freezing to death in your sequined cocktail dresses. Here we’re outlining a few tried and true guidelines that have worked for us in Copenhagen and New York, and then listing other Fashion Week dressing guides elsewhere on the web. Cheers!
Our Tips:
- Wear well-fitting, neutral-based clothes. You don’t have to wear all black, but pack a neutral-based collection of items that fit like a second skin. This will keep you from looking droopy and like your clothes are just hanging off of you after wearing them all day, for a couple of days. Think: your perfect skinny jeans or a fitted sheath dress with bright, textured belts.
- Dress warm. Tommy Ton’s caught editors in Paris in carelessly donned fur coats — a perfect way to dress up your jeans or shorts-and-tights look while staying warm.
- Wear flat shoes. If you wear heels, even small ones, you will be miserable at the end of the day. Don’t you want to stay up for the parties? Try motorcycle boots or flat OTK boots that go with dresses and jeans.
- Bring a big bag. You’re going to need something roomy to stash invites, freebies, water, snacks, press kits and business cards.
- Dress like yourself. Fashion Week is kind of like the industry’s biggest branding moment, so dressing up like Leigh Lezark is only going to make you look like a wannabe. Dress according to your personal style, with one or two extra pops, like a bright scarf or studded top during the day: you’ll be more comfortable, confident and eye-catching.
Other Fashion Week Style Guides:
- “Debunking Myths About Fashion Week,” Fashionista.com
- “New York City Fashion Week,” WearevertheWeather.com (our tip sheet from September ‘09)
- “What do you Wear to Fashion Week? Bloggers Discuss,” Racked.com
- “Tips on What To Wear During Fashion Week,” Papermag.com
