Model-Off-Duty Style Has Changed Over the Past Decade—17 Outfits That Prove It

One could argue that model-off-duty style started in the '90s with the rise of supermodels such as Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, and Cindy Crawford, and they wouldn't be wrong. But there's also a strong argument that can be made for the 2000s and 2010s being the period that street style became a thing, and models really started dressing for the inevitable cameras.

Over the years, model-off-duty street style has evolved into such a thing that some models (especially the celeb-status ones with millions of social media followers) have stylists put together looks for them to go from show to show during fashion week. Others dress themselves, but across the board, it's clear that models are becoming more and more adventurous with their off-duty style, and people are paying as much attention to it as they do the looks that come down the runways.

Prolific street style photographer Acielle of Style Du Monde said it best: "Shooting model street style has always been a favorite of mine. I feel like their style is usually a bit edgier. It's hard to pinpoint a general trend, as they have such a wonderful individual style, but maybe it became a bit more eclectic over the years." In studying hundreds of street style images, I've found that models in the previous decade had somewhat of a uniform. Here at Who What Wear, we did plenty of stories about the pillars of a model's wardrobe back in the day, and they all contained skinny jeans, leather moto jackets, and oversize handbags. These days, it's much more difficult to pinpoint the model-off-duty look, as their style has become so unique and personal. But the best way to explain this is to just let you see it for yourself.

Below, I've compiled a variety of photos of models over the past decade that best display the way their off-duty style has evolved. Be sure to scroll through to the end for shopping picks inspired by models over the years.

When the model-off-duty hype first began, there was definitely a specific look (with some exceptions, of course). Skinny jeans, simple ankle boots, Converse sneakers, big bags, and leather or faux-fur jackets are a few of the things we saw over and over. It's worth noting that many of the top models during the 2010s were Victoria's Secret Angels, who often wore coordinated outfits. Perhaps that contributed to the "look" many models at the time embraced.

With the rise of street style photography and social media over the years, there has been an even more acute interest in what models wear in the 2020s. (If I had a dollar for every celebrity-model-outfit story I've written for Who What Wear over the years, I'd have enough to buy several pairs of Converse sneakers.) Individuality when it comes to personal style triumphs more than ever these days, and the evolving model-off-duty aesthetic provides firsthand proof of this. We also see a lot more athleisure and ultra-casual looks these days and more instances of models wearing one of their looks from the show they just walked out of the backstage door and into their waiting SUVs (Gigi and Bella Hadid do this often.)

Next up: Everyone Is Going to Dress Like 2010s Off-Duty Models This Year