We Went Street Style–Spotting in Central London, and These 11 Outfits Wowed Us
One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is working closely with my colleagues to produce our monthly street style shoot. Have you ever stopped a stranger in their path just to tell them they look great? No? You should try it sometime. July might have seen us charter a proverbial plane to the spectacular South of France to capture the chicest ensembles Cannes had to offer, but for August, we're back on home soil, and boy, does it feel good.
We took to the streets of Central London where, honestly, your guess is as good as ours as to what we might find on any given day. On one cobbled road, the aesthetic can feel modern, minimal and androgynous. Turn the corner, and the outfits can morph into a sartorial festival of colour and print. As luck would have it, this dichotomy perfectly sums up the ensembles we found this month, where clean lines and muted colour palettes contrasted bright hues and fantastical silhouettes.
Venturing out on a Friday, we spotted several groups of friends happily spending their afternoons together, many of whom were dressed unintentionally in coordinated or complementary outfits. We love it when a plan comes together. The solo sightings were just as impressive, as some of the capital's most stylish ran errands on their lunch breaks from what I can discern are some pretty cool jobs.
Of course, no London street style gallery would be complete without a few transitional looks, and this month, we spotted a slew of sleek outfits that will help you ease into the autumn months. So without further ado, keep scrolling for the best looks we spotted on the streets of London this month.
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@michaelaefford_photography for Who What Wear UKTailoring might be trending across the country, but London dressers have always had a penchant for it, seeing past the workwear connotations and instead thinking up fresh ways to style more "formal" separates. Take Madalina, for example. She's taken a pair of classic black trousers (which she snapped up in a charity shop, no less) and has given them a downtime spin with a some Veja trainers. Her Bershka vest? It could feel stuffy, but styling it without anything underneath gives it a cool-girl spin.
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@michaelaefford_photography for Who What Wear UKIf summer 2022 could be defined by a colour, it would have to be tangerine. Housewife Rose certainly knows that more is more when it comes to the season's palette of bright colours, as she savvily styles her orange Nina Ricci shift dress with a pair pf peachy-pink Birkenstock sandals. Like a true fashion person, she effortlessly finishes her high-end look with expensive-looking gold earrings. Can you believe these shoulder-skimmers are from Zara?
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@michaelaefford_photography for Who What Wear UKRestaurant manager and digital designer Reni can add another attribute to her impressive multi-hyphenate title. How about sartorially blessed? That seems to fit. Whether she knows it or not, mesh and sheer textures are high on the trend agenda for autumn/winter 2022, so layering her minidress over a black long-sleeve top not only looks cool, but it's essentially a forecast of what we'll all be wearing in a few months' time. Take note, dear reader. Take note.
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@michaelaefford_photography for Who What Wear UKWide-leg trousers continue to be a commonality in my favourite outfits this season, and Alona's grass-green Zara pair might be one of the best examples I've seen yet. I love how the Pilates teacher has neutralised them with tonal accessories and a classic Breton-stripe vest to create the perfect blend of trendy and timeless.
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@michaelaefford_photography for Who What Wear UKAll-white outfits have been all the rage this summer, and just because we're edging closer to autumn, it doesn't mean you can't keep wearing them. Take your cues from fashion intern Ambar, who has switched out her sandals in favour of a pair of never-date Converse trainers. I also love how she's layered her Uniqlo sundress with an oversized white shirt from Zara to keep the chill at bay. When the time comes, simply add an ecru denim jacket into the equation.
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@michaelaefford_photography for Who What Wear UKOne of my favourite styling tricks is taking something delicate—say, a satin slip skirt—and styling it with edgy footwear. Student Moni has read my mind with her midi from U.S.-based brand Francesca's and chunky Dr. Martens sandals. The stacked ankles, shoulder bag and crop top give this look major Y2K appeal—why this outfit hasn't gone TikTok-viral is anyone's guess.
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@michaelaefford_photography for Who What Wear UKMark my words: Loose-fitting denim is going to continue to dominate for the rest of 2022. If you haven't yet bought into the trend, perhaps the chic Aisha can convince you. Here, she styles Abercrombie's highly rated denim with an untucked shirt from H&M, making for a cool, off-duty outfit I could easily live in for the next three months. Thanks for that, Aisha.
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@michaelaefford_photography for Who What Wear UKI've followed content creator Clara Holmes for a while now; I love nothing more than to live vicariously through her bright outfits, particularly on the days when I throw open my wardrobe doors and feel uninspired by the sea of beige and black I'm met with. Her F&F-top-and-Uniqlo-shorts pairing is nothing short of inspired. Matching the colour of her top to that of her heels? Now that's genius.
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@michaelaefford_photography for Who What Wear UKPreppy outfits were a big deal on the A/W 22 runways, so it's an aesthetic you need to get used to seeing the closer we get o the colder months. This doesn't mean, however, that you need to go around dressing like an extra from the Baby One More Time music video. The key is to nod to the trend, and I intend on following waitress Bella's lead with a checked pelmet skirt and a pair of chunky sandals.
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@michaelaefford_photography for Who What Wear UKI'm always on the lookout for easy outfit ideas I can re-create with minimal effort and require little time to style each morning. If in doubt, a pretty dress always does the trick, as Donaree proves with her green printed Zara minidress. And what's that on her feet? It's official—loafers are the Londoner's favourite autumn shoe.
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@michaelaefford_photography for Who What Wear UKWe all know that little black dresses have endless wardrobe appeal, but never before have they felt so prevalent than they have this summer. Cotton sundresses in the shade have sold out everywhere from Net-a-Porter to Mango, but there's still plenty to choose from. On my wish list is Faithfull the Brand's midi, which I've graciously shared with you below. As for styling it? I'll be copying and pasting this look from Victoria, pairing it with trusty Superga kicks for low-key cool.
