After 376-plus catwalk shows, presentations and who knows how many grainy shots posted to Instagram, fashion month has finally drawn to a close. While the trends we have seen come to fruition in New York, London, Milan and Paris won’t start materialising in stores until late August, the styling hacks spotted on the catwalk will have more of an immediate impact. Especially those that are free. Here are nine to get you started.

Grab a Sharpie pen

Similar to those school leavers signing shirts on the final day of classes, the shrunken T-shirts at Coach came covered in freehand scribbles. We’ll take any excuse for a trip to a stationery shop.
Unsnap that gusset

Anyone who has ever worn a bodysuit will know the struggle of trying to resnap it after a loo break. Who would have thought that Valentino’s Alessandro Michele would be the one to offer a solution. Instead of faffing around, just follow his lead and let it hang loose.

Dig out your sports day medals

First in the egg-and-spoon race? Channel the models at Balenciaga and dig out your old sports day medals. For bonus points, wear them with your old PE kit.

Recycle those ribbons

You know that bag of ribbons collected from Christmas and birthday presents that you hope you will reuse someday? That day has finally come. At Givenchy, Sarah Burton cinched waists with giant strips of grosgrain, then tied them neatly in a bow. Waists also came gift wrapped at Chanel, while dresses and tops at Simone Rocha were bound with baby-pink and scarlet ribbons.

Sprig up your lapel

Who needs a fancy gold brooch when you can get a thistle stem for free? At Burberry, models including the actor Richard E Grant walked the catwalk with a sprig of Eryngium planum, AKA sea holly, pinned to their lapels. It grows best, as the name suggests, by the seaside, but keep your eyes peeled for it around gravel gardens, too. Jeff Goldblum is already on it. He wore a fresh floral boutonniere to the Oscars, which matched his flowery printed Prada shirt.

A haberdashery hack

Several looks by Fendi included oversized knitted beanies with black veils sewn on to the front. You have at least seven months before the temperature drops to perfect your rib stitch, so the time is ripe to head to your local haberdashery. Can’t be bothered to learn how to purl? Just staple some black netting on to an existing beanie and, voilà, a catwalk creation for a fraction of the price.

Swap a sweater over your shoulders for tights

Look, if the former child actors turned fashion designers Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen suggest you drape a pair of woollen tights over your shoulders, you drape a pair of woollen tights over your shoulders. Their brand, The Row, has previously spawned viral hits including mesh shoes that look like slipper socks, a cotton top that is not dissimilar to a doily and £670 rubber flip-flops, so the high street should standby for a spike in woolly tight sales.

Roll with it

For those hoarding the cardboard tubes from toilet and kitchen rolls for their kids’ next crafting project, we have found another use for them. At Victoria Beckham, the hems on minidresses and the collars on shirts were rolled up, giving the illusion that the material was still attached to the fabric roll. DIY with a four pack and a staple gun.

Don’t bother getting dressed

Next season’s It-piece is already hanging off the back of bathroom door. Riffs on the humble bathrobe made surprising appearances at Victoria Beckham, Balenciaga and Tom Ford. Slippers optional.

What’s hot – and what’s most definitely not – this week

Going up

Recession roots | Blondes are going back to brown. Greys are greying. The new indicator that inflation is on the rise?

Tongue scraping | Medievalcore has made its way to your mouth? Tongue scrapers look terrifying but seem to work. This one by Dr Reena is stainless steel and dentist approved.

Restivals | One in five gen Zers say they are skipping summer festivals, opting for “a stay-at-home music experience”. Um, isn’t that just called watching Glasto on the telly?

Going down

Oversized collars | Dior, Stella McCartney and the street style set are making a case for a 9in cuff. Let ’em (un)roll.

Anti-ageing | Naturally, the Milanese prefer the term “ageing management”.

Duolingo | Who needs a pass-agg owl when you’ve got Rihanna practising French with Dior. Oui, oui.

Chloe Mac Donnell, deputy fashion and lifestyle editor, solves your wardrobe dilemmas

Q: I’ve been looking for flat or low-heeled leather loafers in a very dark brown, not cordovan/oxblood. Can you help? I’m only finding tan or reddish browns – Jane

A: In January, Pantone declared Mocha Mousse its colour of the year. Described as a “warming, brown hue imbued with richness”, it sounds like what you are searching for. As with 2021’s Ultimate Grey, the shade is slowly trickling down to the high street. Give it another few weeks and it will be everywhere. Remember, it’s worth reading the small print on high-street labels – many shoes are made from PU leather, which is synthetic. The closest match to your request I can find at the moment is a pair from GH Bass, an American brand established in 1876. Its chocolate penny loafers have been around for decades. They cost £170, but are 100% leather and the seams are hand-stitched. You’ll just need to add a rubber sole to lower the risk of slipping in spring showers.

Got your own style question? Send it to [email protected].