Fashion's Latest Comeback? Actually Wearable Clothes

The era of over-the-top, shouty fashion is over. It's time for something more subtle and chic.

Blog

Jun 22, 2023 • 1 min read

Is That What You Mean?

It's impossible. But is it really? But is it? Kate Moss's saunter down the Bottega Veneta spring 2023 runway, in Milan, was accompanied by a version of this confused inner monologue. What is the source of your stupefaction, then? The bowleg denims and blue-toned check overshirt worn by Ms. Moss. At a distance they looked like denim and flannel. As the supermodel approached, it became apparent that the casual separates she wore were not made from cotton, but rather the softest hides printed to look like other fabrics. The sartorial tricks of Matthieu Blazy gave the front-rowers an impressive moment, but were perhaps too subtle for those watching on Instagram.

This outfit (see the shirt below, and Kendall Jenner in a similar look above) represents a new aesthetic that is sweeping fashion. After two years of dressing to impress on Zoom screens while in lockdown and at least a decade ostentatious "like me!" Many women want to make a real impact, and not just on Instagram. Style-conscious women are looking for wearable clothing with subtle details, such as hand-stitched edges, carefully sculpted shapes, or luxurious textures, that they and others within a five-foot radius can appreciate. And designers are delivering.