Ruffled Chiffon, Bag Charms and Butter Yellow: Top Street Style From Melbourne Fashion Week

Melbourne Fashion Week (M/FW) always brings out the best in how people dress – especially this year, as the annual celebration of Aussie fashion turned 30. From October 21 to 27, you could feel the buzz in the air as stylish citizens and influential designers rocked up to iconic locations around town – from Queen Victoria Market and The Lume to Melbourne Town Hall – delivering a fresh dose of sartorial inspiration.

Off the catwalk, street style looks offered a taste of Melbourne’s vibrant and eclectic creative communities. The 30th anniversary wasn’t the year to play it safe, and people came dressed to the party. Shimmer and metallics shined, cuts were dramatic and colours punchy.

I spent the week hopping between runway shows, catching visitors’ looks on the streets, and scrolling through galleries of the shows I missed. These are my top five moments and trends from on and off the runways during M/FW.

Graduate collections offer a glimpse at a new generation of designers showcasing limitless creativity and boundary-pushing style, and the Student Collections Runway was no exception. This year, 40 student designers sent their work down the runway, illuminated by geometric projections at The Lume. There was avant-garde, mixed with plenty of softness. Ben Pink’s collection, made up of intricately ruched and pleated tartan fabric, was a standout – as was Nam Tran’s ruffled lilac chiffon collection inspired by his Vietnamese heritage; he took home the Student Designer Award.

How you accessorise an outfit can make all the difference. This year, I noticed the role that accessories played more than ever. Maybe it’s a subtle reflection of the economy at the moment – we’re turning our attention to smaller details that add personality and character rather than big purchases. Throughout M/FW, bag charms were dangling off carryalls; ties were making statements, worn around the neck and hanging off skirts; oversized belts nodded to Y2K nostalgia; and metallic bags, shoes and hair accessories were on full display. A personal favourite was a sleek hidden tie by bridal designer Gwendolynne on the closing runway. Another popular accessory? Cans of T2 Iced Tea, with three flavours (and colourful designs) held in people’s hands or peeking out from their bags seen all over the festival.

There was a distinct energy around the Fashion x Underground showcase. Bold, unapologetic and pumping, it was fashion mixed with the creative arts at its best. When I walked into Melbourne Town Hall, I didn’t know high-octane performances by House of Diesel, The Huxleys and drag artists from House of Buffet were on the cards – now I think every runway should fuse live entertainment with fashion . The immersive runway had spectators – myself included – bopping their heads and swaying to the beat. Melbourne designer Karla Laidlaw was a standout with dramatic capes, layered sheer dresses, the return of chain mail, and luxe faux fur details.

Butter yellow tones still reign supreme, and we spotted them across the runway and the street. Some favourites in the mellow, zesty colour were a pair of loosely tailored Bermuda shorts and an elegant midi dress by Oroton at the Little Bourke Street runway, as well as some sleek trousers by Chris Ran Lin at the Volo Electric show. While riding on the season’s “it colour”, both pieces are also timeless staples to add to your summer wardrobe that you can wear for years to come.

Dresses over pants. Corsets over shirts. Lacy maxi skirts over trousers. It was all about layers and creating texture, both on and off the runway. Wackie Ju draped silky silhouettes atop each other; House of Darwin layered a pop of orange over printed pants; and plenty of stylish folk outside the shows donned multiple layers. When it comes to your own wardrobe, layering different silhouettes over one another is not only a practical tool in dressing for Melbourne’s notorious weather, but it also helps add interest and texture. I’ve definitely picked up a few looks to add to my own mood board.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with T2 Iced Tea, a major partner of Melbourne Fashion Week. Our sixth pick of the best style at M/FW? It has to be T2 Iced Tea, the new ready-to-drink range in three refreshing flavours: Peach Amore, Watermelon Fiesta and Very Berry Blossom.