Ask Alexa: Winter Jackets & Going Out Tops
Edits requested by you.
One of my favourite series that I run over on IG is ‘what are you shopping for?’ - a question I post on my stories and give advice for based off of the answers I get. I really enjoy doing this series because not only does it help me get an idea of what content you want, but most of the time there are consistent themes within the answers which is pretty cool to see. In November, I had a lot of party and hens/bridal requests. In Feb, I was inundated with mostly vacation looks and wedding guest dress options. Now, it has turned to winter wear and going out outfits, as well as a lot of Euro Summer outfit requests.
Yesterday, I got dozens of responses - a huge thank you to everyone who replied! I will be grouping them and answering most of them over the next week or two. I have to admit though, this took me way longer than expected to put together because I was unsure of the format. I would usually just give around 2-3 options, but the purpose of me bringing this to Substack was so I could dive a little deeper and give you more variety. I’ve also included some outfit inspo and ways to style, which is new too. Let me know what you prefer more though - straight to the point (my selects only) or styling options too?
Today’s post is dedicated to all things Winter: going out tops/outfits and Winter jackets specifically. I’ll be diving into Euro Summer outfits and everyday Winter outfits for life/work next week, so make sure you’ve subscribed to get those if you haven’t already!
1. Going out outfits
Off shoulder/asymmetric tops
By far the most popular request this week was for going out outfits, with one of them being for going out tops specifically. This request was a little open ended, so I’ve put together an edit of a staple style that I am loving at the moment. If you’re struggling with tops for the cooler weather, you can’t go wrong with an off shoulder or asymmetric long sleeve top. No matter if it’s a friends birthday or a night of dancing, you can use this top as a base and style with any kind of bottom to suit the occasion. Here are some of my current favourite options:
1. NORMA KAMALI top // 2. SNDYS top // 3. RUE SOPHIE top // 4. MICHAEL LAUREN top //
5. HELSA top // 6. TUCHUZY top // 7. HENNE top // 8. TUNCHY top
How to style:
There are so many ways you can wear this kind of top but I really love the look of a monochromatic moment lately for a night out. With a brown version of this top for example, I’d style with tonal brown leather pants or a brown skirt and bring in some sort of colour like red, or a pattern like snake print through my accessories to make the outfit more interesting.
MICHAEL LAUREN top // L’ACADEMIE skirt // KITTE earrings // TONY BIANCO boots // HEAVEN MAYHEM belt // A-ESQUE bag
For something a little different, you can also pair with a statement skirt instead like this metallic silver skirt from Mossman (they also make this in a pants version if mini skirts aren’t your thing!) with similar tonal accessories.
MICHAEL LAUREN top // MOSSMAN skirt // KITTE earrings // TONY BIANCO boots // HEAVEN MAYHEM belt // A-ESQUE bag
Another way to wear is by keeping your base all black (including the boots) and wearing an oversized contrasting jacket or blazer over the top.
NAKED WARDROBE top // STYLEADDICT skirt // LILI CLASPE earrings // ZARA boots // L’ACADEMIE jacket // SAINT LAURENT bag
I love this style for a dinner to bar sort of vibe. If skirts aren’t your thing, swap out the skirt with with the same coloured leather or statement pants and a belt instead.
Off shoulder dresses
Continuing on with the off shoulder theme, I also love an off shoulder LBD with knee high boots for a night of dancing, or slingback pumps for a more formal event. This dress is a classic style you’ll be able to re-wear for years, and is a great piece to have on hand in case of an emergency or on those nights where you ‘have nothing to wear’. You can re-style your accessories to keep it looking fresh and different.
1. BY.DYLN dress // 2. SIR dress // 3. STYLEADDICT dress // 4. HELSA dress //
5. MESHKI dress // 6. ANNA OCTOBER dress
How to style:
For a casual bar vibe, I’d wear this sort of dress with coloured or printed boots to let my accessories make the statement.
MESHKI dress // HEAVEN MAYHEM earrings // NAKEDVICE boots // LIONESS jacket // ALEXANDER WANG bag
For a more formal occasion, I love something like this off shoulder blazer dress from Sir styled with a chic slingback heel instead.
SIR dress // HEAVEN MAYHEM earrings // KOOKAI bag // LANA WILKINSON heels
What do you think of this off-shoulder/asymmetric style?
2. Leather bomber jackets
Another request I’ve been getting for a few weeks now is for more jackets, specifically bomber jackets. There are so many great leather bomber jacket styles out at the moment, and seems to be the thing everyone has brought out this year due to the success of the Loewe/Acne puffers last season. Here are some of my top picks across both budget friendly and luxury:
1. NAKEDVICE jacket // 2. ACNE jacket // 3. HENNE jacket // 4. ZARA jacket
5. THE FRANKIE SHOP jacket // 6. DUCIE LONDON jacket // 7. LOEWE jacket // 8. BY.DYLN jacket
I love the crop of a bomber jacket to wear with mid-high waisted jeans or cargo pants, which is the perfect Autumn uniform before we get into coat season!
3. Winter jacket trend predictions
“We had the Loewe/Acne puffer jackets, what do you predict will be this Winter’s jacket trend?”
This question that came through is interesting because here in Aus, we usually follow the trend cycle of whatever the northern hemisphere has done in the previous season so it’s pretty easy to tell what the next biggest thing is or will be (although I will say, I feel like now the world is following our Summer collections which is so awesome to see). This Winter though, there hasn’t really been a single standout jacket that’s had quite the same level of impact as the Loewe/Acne jackets last year.
It seems ridiculous to say, but the Hailey Bieber effect is definitely a real thing. Both the Loewe & Acne puffer gained huge notoriety (even more than what they already were) after she was seen wearing them casually out and about last year (I remember reading an article where Gab Waller said her DM’s blew up after that, and she can usually tell when Hailey has worn something when her requests get inundated for the same item). Usually popular fashion girls like Emili Sindlev, Hailey Bieber & Kendall Jenner are a pretty good indication of what the next biggest thing is, but this Winter has been a bit of a mixed bag.
The Loewe and Acne puffers are definitely still one of the biggest styles and there’s still tons of similar styles that are dropping throughout collections this year (see above!). But I think the viral mob wife trend on TikTok was something no one saw coming which lead to vintage jackets ultimately becoming the biggest outerwear style of the season. So in a bit of a long winded way of answering your question, I think that vintage fur coats & jackets, longline leather coats and other vintage styles like motorcycle jackets will continue to be a big trend we’ll see through our Winter, in addition to the already popular leather puffer jackets!
As a final prediction, I also think something we’ll be seeing more of is denim jackets, specifically being worn with denim jeans due to the denim-on-denim trend we’re seeing through the country/western influence.
Let me know what you think and what your favourite jackets are at the moment in the comments!
Alexa x
Next up: The Weekly Edit dropping on Monday night, Country/Western deep dive and Euro Summer outfits!