In Paris, the Return of Casual Comfort

Replacing fashion’s post-pandemic obsession with uncomfortable clothing, the runway is forecasting a consumer shift towards casual comfort for Fall 2023. JW Anderson wants you to trade in those recently purchased ballet pumps for his frog clog wellies, whilst Emilia Wickstead favoured underwear shorts to the Y2K thong in a recent show. Nowhere was this more visible than at Paris fashion week, where both the men’s and women’s ready-to-wear collections supplied memorable cozy, comfy and convenient looks.

Dubbed by commentators as “recession-core”, and with warmth on everyone’s mind during a cost-of-living crisis, the runway’s making comfortability chic again. At Bottega Veneta’s show, a surprise strut from Kate Moss provided one of the week’s biggest talking points. Dressed by Matthieu Blazy in a checked flannel shirt and baggy denim jean, the supermodel’s poignantly plain look relished everyday life. As Matthieu aptly explained afterwards, “it’s a kind of causal comfort that we push to the extreme”. To the naked eye, Kate’s fit looked like a simple flannel and jean combination, when in fact it was made of leather, epitomising the designer’s eye for technically disguised day wear.

Off the runway, Paris fashion week’s streetstyle delivered a further glimpse into casual comfort winter trends. From knitted balaclavas to layered crewnecks and long coating to rug-sized scarves, there was plenty to admire about those witnessing the shows as well as the people walking them.

As Paris Fashion Week comes to a close, we look at key elements of the casual comfort look and how to get it.

Underwear is the New Outerwear

Bella Hadid was recently pictured wearing ‘tighty-whities’ underwear shorts and in Paris, runways from the likes of Emilia Wickstead took a liking to the trend. Similarly, Jonathan Anderson’s Loewe show continued his obsession with oversized men’s boxer shorts, with the silk pieces offering a slouchy but eccentric take on the casual comfort look this Fall.

Up to Your Neck in Oversized Scarves

A street-style trend grabbing everyone by the throat is the over-sized scarf. In Paris, many attendees favoured practical clothing, wrapping up warm and staying cozy in between or on the way to shows. Statement scarves epitomised the look as the city’s trendy contingency used them as balaclavas, like shawls or simply draped over their shoulders.

Hit the Ground Running with Grunge Chic

In the 90s, Nirvana simultaneously revolutionised pop music and fashion with Kurt Cobain’s gritty sound and slacker style. His signature piece, a loose-fitting chequered flannel. Grunge aesthetics have been a mainstay on the Copenhagen runway for years, thanks to brands like Our Legacy. Dressing Kate Moss in a flannel shirt, white tank top and baggy jean, Bottega Veneta brought a similar vibe to Paris.

Big on Baggy Suits

Nigo and Kenzo’s Fall menswear show ruled this trend. Combining Japanese tailoring with British subculture looks, courtesy of mods and punks, the brand produced some of the weekend’s most stunning silhouettes. Unsurprisingly, many were stitched closely to the ideals of casual comfort. Bianca Saunders’s minimalist collection and KidSuper’s Louis Vuitton show were equally packed with slacked suiting.

Knitwear Keeps Needling the Runway

With every season that goes by, knitwear becomes increasingly visible on the runway. Hermès, with its woven turtlenecks and matching coloured cardigans, won this Fall, as did Dries Van Noten’s eagle graphic sweater. On the streets of Paris, knits and crewnecks were everywhere, offering a base for layered looks inspired by casual comfort.