Runway
Apr 9, 2023

Your Favorite Hoodie Is "Fashion" Now—4 Runway Looks That Prove It

by Eliza Huber

Photo:

@elizagracehuber; Miu Miu

If you're simultaneously obsessed with the latest micro-trends and too intimidated to test them out, you've come to the right place. This is Ways to Wear, a monthly series where editor Eliza Huber offers a dose of outfit inspiration centered around current trends that feel intriguing yet overwhelming at the same time. Consider it your guide to actually wearing the coolest items of the moment, no matter how puzzling they might appear at first.

Time and again, Miuccia Prada arrives at fashion month with a wealth of new ideas, both for the family business Prada and the brand she herself created, Miu Miu, in 1993. The fall/winter 2023 season was no different. This time around at Miu Miu, Prada's collection seemed to zero in on the beauty in imperfection, showcasing models looking intentionally frazzled while dressed in pieces that aren't usually considered chic or "fashion," like leggings, sweater sets, and most, significantly, hoodies, which are quickly becoming one of the most talked-about trends of the moment.

"Through examination and study, clothes are shifted both in structure and their placement on the body," a press release from the show reads. "Familiar items—twinsets, knee-length skirts, hooded sweatshirts—move around the figure, afforded different strengths and fragilities through their fabrication." In more words, Prada was able to breathe new life into pieces that have long been overlooked through high-quality construction, interesting proportions, and intentional styling.

As usual, the designer tapped stylist Lotta Volkova to demonstrate the coolest ways to wear the collection's offerings, putting simple gray hoodies underneath leather and herringbone peacoats and on top of buttoned-up cashmere cardigans and turtlenecks. With them, some models wore soft leggings and sneakers, and others skipped pants altogether, donning just briefs, tights, and open-toe heels for a more lustrous take on the basic layering piece. From the show, one could easily take away that the possibilities are endless when it comes to wearing hooded sweatshirts in 2023. Then again, everything looks better on the runway, especially when it's located at the beautiful Palais d'Iéna in Paris. Bringing them off the runway and into the real world is the truest test, which is why I decided to tackle the budding hoodie trend for my latest installment of Ways to Wear.

Below, discover my takes on four hoodie-clad looks from Miu Miu's F/W 23 show and shop the basic that's gearing up for total domination.

Photo:

@elizagracehuber; Miu Miu

In all likelihood, you already own every piece necessary to re-create this look, from the leggings to the turtleneck sweater to the casual gray hoodie layered on top of it. What Volkova did that was so groundbreaking was put them all together, creating interesting proportions, shapes, and color combinations and adding details like statement earrings and peekaboo tights. Luckily, those are items we all have in our wardrobes or can easily add to them. For my take, I took a cashmere turtleneck I got last winter from Brooks Brothers and added a white zip-up, a camel-colored peacoat, and a pair of black leggings that have otherwise only known the inside of my local Planet Fitness. With those garments, I wore sheer tights, Nike sneakers, and luxury accessories, including my Prada 1995 Re-Edition bag, Jenny Bird earrings, and Linda Farrow oval sunglasses. The result? An outfit I could comfortably wear to pick up groceries or attend a fashion event.

On the runway:

Photo:

Miu Miu

My take:

Photo:

@elizagracehuber

Wearing: Los Angeles Apparel Cropped Heavy Fleece Zip Up Hooded Sweatshirt ($60); Nanushka coat; Brooks Brothers sweater; All Access leggings; Nike Zoom Vomero 5 Sneakers ($208); Prada bag; Linda Farrow sunglasses

Photo:

@elizagracehuber; Miu Miu

Going pants-less is practically second nature for me now given how many times I've test-driven the growing runway trend, which kicked off during the spring/summer 2023 season at Bottega Veneta and spread like wildfire throughout fall fashion month in February. Miu Miu's take this season was especially alluring because of the way it was balanced out with heavier layers on top, including sweatshirts, peacoats, and more. Pretty peep-toe heels added a touch of elegance to the otherwise laissez-faire, almost forgettable ensembles. To re-create the look IRL, I took a herringbone peacoat from COS and layered it underneath a gray hoodie and charcoal-colored cashmere crew-neck that I stole from my dad's closet years ago. On the bottom, I wore my trusty Calzedonia tights, Reformation briefs, and cream-colored Paige sandals that give just the amount of height that's necessary when you're not wearing anything but underwear and hosiery.

On the runway:

Photo:

Miu Miu

My take:

Photo:

@elizagracehuber

Wearing: COS Herringbone Coat ($350); Los Angeles Apparel Heavy Fleece Zip Up Hooded Sweatshirt ($65); Calzedonia 30 Denier Total Comfort Soft Touch Tights ($15); Paige Tatum Mule ($268); Prada bag; Linda Farrow sunglasses

Photo:

@elizagracehuber; Miu Miu

I'm a sucker for anything that gives off incognito energy. This is probably because I live in one of the busiest neighborhoods in one of the most populous cities in the world and prefer to fly under the radar 99% of the time. So when I see a look like this one that includes a hood—a great tool for hiding in plain sight—and a big coat, I fall hard and fast and probably want to replicate it as soon as possible. So that's exactly what I did. To further lean into the hooded-figure aesthetic, I added my go-to sunglasses from Linda Farrow, the one accessory I truly never ever leave home without.

On the runway:

Photo:

Miu Miu

My take:

Photo:

@elizagracehuber

Wearing: Mango Tailored Oversize Wool Coat ($230); Los Angeles Apparel Heavy Fleece Zip Up Hooded Sweatshirt ($65); Boden cardigan; All Access leggings; Nike Zoom Vomero 5 Sneakers ($208); Prada bag; Linda Farrow sunglasses

Photo:

@elizagracehuber; Miu Miu

If you're really into the hoodie trend like I am, you'll probably love this look the most, as it doesn't hold back from allowing the mid-layer to be the star of the show. No fancy outerwear involved—only a gray hoodie and some knitwear. Hell, there aren't even pants in the picture to distract from the main event. During my test, I found that accessories are a key to pulling off this ensemble, as you want pieces that elevate a hoodie and tights to make it less "walk of shame" and more Miu Miu. As such, my bag, earrings, timepiece, and heels played an important role. I also think layering underneath the sweatshirt makes a big difference, specifically the white top peaking out from underneath my knitwear. It adds necessary dimension to an otherwise simple outfit.

On the runway:

Photo:

Miu Miu

My take:

Photo:

@elizagracehuber

Wearing: Los Angeles Apparel Heavy Fleece Zip Up Hooded Sweatshirt ($65); Boden cardigan; Reformation briefs; Calzedonia 30 Denier Total Comfort Soft Touch Tights ($15); Paige Tatum Mule ($268); Prada bag; Linda Farrow sunglasses

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