The Five Takeaways From Today’s Chanel Show in Paris

Clutch bags, pirate boots and transformable trousers got the green light.

chanel paris fashion week

by Natalie Hammond |
Updated on

Even the most fatigued fashion editors still get excited about the Chanel show. This year marked the first time the brand live-streamed proceedings on its website, while the space looked infinitely more stark than previous seasons, with models appearing through a mist of dry ice on raised white platforms. Here are five takeaways if you missed it.

Put your best foot forward with pirate boots

chanel paris fashion week
Chanel AW20 ©Getty

The kind of swashbuckling boots you’ll find in Captain Jack Sparrow’s wardrobe, or cabin, are going to be headline news in September. Almost all the models wore a pair - with silver trousers, LBDs, tweed skirt suits, you name it - proving that they have go-with-everything status.

Transformable trousers have legs

chanel paris fashion week
Chanel AW20 ©Getty

Several pairs of trousers came with buttons snaking down the legs. If you ever find yourself wanting to whip out your calf - for sun exposure, for ventilation - add to your wishlist now.

The Eighties minidress reigns supreme

chanel paris fashion week
Chanel AW20 ©Getty

Chanel always delivers dreamy LBDs, but next season’s come with added Eighties bite. With its puffed sleeves and velvet hem, this one’s got Dynasty written all over it - in a great way.

The clutch bag isn’t going anywhere

chanel paris fashion week
Chanel AW20 ©Getty

The clutch bag’s had a renaissance for spring - and it’ll still be firmly in the spotlight this September. Look for slouchy shapes that squish under the arm and note that bonus points will be awarded if yours is studded with costume jewels that look like Tutti Fruttis.

The necktie gets a makeover

chanel paris fashion week
Chanel AW20 ©Getty

The tie might have appeared at Dior, but Chanel plumped instead for the cravat. Are you tempted?

SEE: Everything Happening At Paris Fashion Week

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SEE: Everything Happening At Paris Fashion Week

Kenneth Ize makes a starry debut1 of 19
CREDIT: Getty

Kenneth Ize makes a starry debut

Austrian-Nigerian designer Kenneth Ize pulled in the big guns for his Paris Fashion Week debut. Imaan Hamman, Naomi Campbell and Adwoa Aboah all flew in to show their support - and the clothes themselves had bags of feel-good flavour in their colour and comfort-factor.

Dior brings back the waistcoat2 of 19
CREDIT: Getty

Dior brings back the waistcoat

You might not have considered the waistcoat as a sensible addition to your wardrobe, well, ever, but Maria Grazia Chiuri might change your mind this autumn. She sent several down today's catwalk, which was hung with giant letters spelling 'CONSENT', including this trench design with a fringed hem and slits for the arms to breathe.

Saint Laurent is big on Eighties flavour3 of 19
CREDIT: Getty

Saint Laurent is big on Eighties flavour

Saint Laurent went big on spectacle, spotlighting models as they stomped down the catwalk in jewel-toned latex trousers. If the wet-look is filed under 'too much' in your mind, the return of colour-blocking - think scarlet, violet and chartreuse for starters - is surely a tantalising option.

Dries Van Noten's flora and fauna4 of 19
CREDIT: Jason Lloyd-Evans

Dries Van Noten's flora and fauna

Dries Van Noten was a typically beautiful exploration of print and its power. One of our favourites was this leaf-splashed mac paired with snakeskin boots, a look that brought the rainforest canopy to the city of lights.

Lanvin goes oh-so-ladylike5 of 19
CREDIT: Jason Lloyd-Evans

Lanvin goes oh-so-ladylike

Lanvin was a 2020 take on the classic bourgeois wardrobe, with elbow-length gloves, richly-coloured coats, top-handle bags, elegantly coiffed hair and, naturally, ladylike pumps.

Maison Margiela is, well, weather-appropriate6 of 19
CREDIT: Jason Lloyd-Evans

Maison Margiela is, well, weather-appropriate

You can always count on Maison Margiela for delivering look-twice clothes and styling, but this all-black ensemble, comprised of bucket hat, slick raincoat and sensible brogues, is just the sort of thing one needs at the beginning of a British autumn, no?

Balmain brings back the 80s power blazer7 of 19
CREDIT: Getty Images

Balmain brings back the 80s power blazer

Balmain gave a nod to the 80s this season, with oversized, doubled-breasted blazers, complete with retro brass buttons. There was definitely a sense of masculinity about this collection, with the majority of looks incorporating power shoulders and slick-backed hair to match.

Loewe and lapels8 of 19
CREDIT: Getty Images

Loewe and lapels

Loewe's show saw some interestingly oversized lapels incorporated in outwear, like this trench coat.

Isabel Marant signals to the waist9 of 19
CREDIT: Getty Images

Isabel Marant signals to the waist

Belts were a big feature at the Isabel Marant show. Nearly every look was cinched in at the waist to create a feminine silhouette, against oversized and chunky knitwear.

Off-White's new take on practical dressing for your wedding10 of 19
CREDIT: Getty Images

Off-White's new take on practical dressing for your wedding

Here-comes-the-bride, dressed-in-Off-White. Only Virgil would incorporate a windbreaker and a wedding dress. But, we're into it, and it's practical, given the recent weather. Also, what's a wedding without your close family beside you? No, we're not just talking about Bella, Yolanda walked in the show too.

Paco Rabanne opts for armour11 of 19
CREDIT: Getty Images

Paco Rabanne opts for armour

There were several knights in shining armour at the Paco Rabanne show, and aside from thinking how heavy it must all be, we're pleasantly surprised with the theatrical use of Paco's usual metal chainmail technique.

Chlou00e9 embraces the long necklace12 of 19
CREDIT: Getty Images

Chloé embraces the long necklace

The Chloé show was full of classic heritage prints, like this argyle roll neck. Fair Isle knits were also spotted and so were checks. The collection felt very country-chic, and we're not over the quilted coat – perfect for a Sunday dog walk right? Also, please note, the long statement necklaces, very 2008.

Celine channels its signature Seventies style13 of 19
CREDIT: Getty Images

Celine channels its signature Seventies style

Hedi Slimane isn't reinventing the wheel each season. Instead, his clothes for Celine are wardrobe classics that will prove brilliantly wearable, not just this year but this decade.

Balenciaga's flooded catwalk makes a statement on climate change14 of 19
CREDIT: Getty Images

Balenciaga's flooded catwalk makes a statement on climate change

Demna Gvasalia took a typically confronting approach to set design for Balenciaga's AW20 show, flooding the catwalk to send a message about the climate crisis and rising sea levels.

Valentino's fairytale gowns15 of 19
CREDIT: Getty Images

Valentino's fairytale gowns

The gowns are genuinely gasp-worthy at Valentino - and this season's were no different. This semi-sheer floor-sweeper was flecked with sequins and full of drama.

Givenchy dials up the drama16 of 19
CREDIT: Getty Images

Givenchy dials up the drama

The Givenchy silhouette was supersized for AW20, with hats that took on Handmaid's Tale proportions and dramatically elongated capes.

Stella McCartney's enlists furry friends for finale17 of 19

Stella McCartney's enlists furry friends for finale

First we had Balenciaga's flooded show space, creative director Demna Gvasalia's comment on rising sea levels, then Stella McCartney invited a series of furry friends onto her catwalk to raise awareness about animal welfare. The designer has long championed the use of sustainable fur and leather alternatives and, when the results look this good, here's hoping more designers put their innovative caps on.

Giambattista Valli gives us girlish elegance18 of 19

Giambattista Valli gives us girlish elegance

You can always rely on Giambattista Valli to deliver girlishness. This off-the-shoulder gown, that stops short of the ankle, is just one dreamy example.

Alexander McQueen joins the latex army19 of 19

Alexander McQueen joins the latex army

Kim and Kourtney Kardashian both wore latex leggings to Kanye West's Sunday Service - and last night Alexander McQueen is backed the wet-look bottom half. Expect to see them everywhere come September.

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