Stories by

Phoebe Gates

860 stories

The Ralph Lauren Bear Sweater

Aka Meet Americana With A Wink

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Stiletto Heels Are Back On Terms You Can Actually Walk In

A heel narrow enough to be named after a knife has survived seventy years of every other shoe shape coming and going. stiletto heels remain the default evening answer for a reason. This edit runs through eight versions across very different labels.

LPA Revolve Picks For Going Out

Going-out clothes came back the moment the internet decided the quiet luxury phase was over. Anyone typing LPA Revolve into a search bar is reading that shift correctly, because the label builds almost exclusively for evenings that will be photographed. This edit takes the dresses first, then the separates that do the same job in two pieces.

The Marc Jacobs Tote Bag Pink Edit

The Marc Jacobs tote pink options are Ribbon Pink, Hot Pink and Petal Pink, with the name embossed rather than printed. I go through the small and medium sizes, then the shoulder bags and crossbodies.

The Ganni Trench Coat Edit

The trench survived a hundred years by refusing to change and is now changing quickly. The Ganni trench coat is the clearest example, taking a military pattern and treating it as a colour and material exercise instead of a heritage one. This edit runs the trenches first and then the rest of the label's outerwear.

Gucci Ophidia: The Mini Bag and Every Small Shape to Carry

The Gucci Ophidia line starts with the mini bag, built from GG canvas, leather trim and the web stripe. I go through the camera bag, the pochette and the small crossbodies, then pick the Ophidia I would buy first.

The Prada Vest, Styled

The vest went from technical layer to the most photographed item in a wardrobe in about three years. A Prada vest sits at the centre of that, because the house has been making both the nylon and the knitted version since long before either was fashionable. This edit takes the sleeveless pieces first and then the cardigans that layer with them.

Alexander McQueen Sneakers

The chunky sneaker had a very loud decade and is now being quietly reassessed. Alexander McQueen sneakers are the most recognisable object from that period, built on an oversized rubber sole and a plain leather upper. This edit takes the oversized models first and then the lower profile ones.

The Celine T Shirt

The plain t-shirt is the hardest thing in fashion to charge for and the easiest to get wrong. The Celine t shirt is the current reference point, because Hedi Slimane rebuilt the house around a very specific narrow, high-armhole cut. This edit takes the tees first and then the knits that follow the same logic.

Dressing With Intent: Shearling Coats, Belts and Quiet Heels

Dressing with intent now means fabric over embellishment: quieter, heavier pieces, led by outerwear. I go through the coats, the belts and scarves, and the heels that came back quietly.

Chloe Sneakers Make The Case For A Soft Shoe

Making The Case For A Soft Shoe

Fall Skirt Outfits Where the Skirt Leads

Skirts are back to carrying the whole outfit this fall, from satin midis worn with heavy knits to checked wool and pleats. These four looks start with the skirt and build outward, with a sweater, a shoe and a bag chosen to match its mood. The pairings run from loafers and ballet flats to knee boots and a sling pump.

Bold Earrings for Fall, and How to Wear Them

Big earrings are back in rotation, and the small huggie is taking a break. These groups cover sculptural gold, dramatic drops, pearls and stones, and statement hoops, with the clothes that let them stand out. Keep the neckline simple and the earrings do the rest.

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The Fall 2026 Trend Forecast, Four Ways In

Four ideas keep coming up in the fall 2026 forecast: Art Deco glamour, an updated take on ladylike dressing, body-skimming shapes and pieces with a sense of humour. This edit gives each idea its own outfit, built from pieces that work on their own as well as together. Start with the one that sounds most like you and leave the rest.

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Art Deco Jewelry Is Having a Revival

Art Deco jewelry is back, with onyx, jade, mother of pearl, spirals and fan shapes turning up across new collections. This edit covers the pieces themselves, from carved stone necklaces to geometric gold, and the dresses and bags to wear with them. Most of it works just as well with a sweater as with a gown.

Fall Runway Looks, Broken Down Piece by Piece

Some of the most wearable fall runway looks are easy to rebuild from pieces you can actually buy. This story breaks four of them down, from a Fair Isle knit with a scarf to double denim, blue poplin with a red skirt and a leopard layer. Each one stands on its own, and each piece works outside the look too.

Cocktail Dress Shapes, From Slinky Midis to Sequins

A cocktail dress no longer has to mean a stiff knee-length sheath. These are the shapes that feel current this fall, from slinky midis and sequins to a new take on the little black dress and silky minis worn with flat shoes. Each outfit is finished with a shoe and bag that keep it from looking too formal.

Fall 2026 Shoe Trends, From Kitten Heels to Mary Janes

Fall 2026 shoes are low, textured and a little old-fashioned, with kitten heels, Mary Janes and plush velvet leading the way. This edit groups the trends into four families so you can see which one suits your wardrobe. Pick one family and you will be set for the season.

What Retail Buyers Say to Wear This Fall

Retail buyers spend months deciding what will sell, which makes their fall predictions a useful shopping guide. Their picks this season include velvet and satin, head-to-toe leather, knit polos with slim skirts, and gloves with stacked jewelry. This edit turns each of those calls into an outfit you can wear now.

Ladylike Dressing Without the Rules

Ladylike dressing is back, but this time it comes with flat sandals, jeans and a lot less stiffness. New designers at Chanel, Dior and Celine have all revisited the idea, pairing tweed with flip-flops and satin trousers with sweatshirts. These four outfits bring that mix of polish and ease to everyday clothes.

Tiny Bags, Pouches and Slim Wallets for Fall

Small bags are having a moment again, and not just for evenings. These picks cover tiny top handles, pouches and clutches, small shoulder bags and crossbodies, all sized for a phone, a card case and a lipstick. Each one can go from daytime errands to dinner without looking out of place.

Cropped Trench Coats for Transitional Weather

A cropped trench solves the problem of in-between weather, when a full-length coat feels like too much. This edit covers belted crops, leather trenches, short coats with jeans and a classic trench for comparison. Every piece works over a sweater now and a thicker knit later.

Fall 2026 Dress Trends, From Lace to Leather

Fall 2026 dresses run from delicate lace to hard-edged leather, with velvet, ruffles and draping in between. This edit collects the strongest shapes of the season and pairs each one with boots, heels or sandals. Pick the fabric that suits your life and the rest follows.

Suede Handbags for Fall, Four Shapes

Suede is the fall bag fabric, soft to the touch and richer in colour than smooth leather. These picks cover four shapes: slouchy totes, structured top handles, evening clutches and shoulder bags. Chocolate brown and sandy beige are the colours to look for, though there are brighter options too.

The Fall 2026 Color Report, From Cobalt to Burgundy

Fall 2026 is a colourful season, with electric blue, butter yellow, vibrant red and deep burgundy leading the way. This edit gives each shade its own outfit, built so you can add one colour to a neutral wardrobe or go all in. None of it requires wearing more than one bright at a time.

Work Totes and Top Handles for the Office

A good work bag has to hold a laptop, a lunch and a change of shoes, and still look polished in a meeting. These picks cover structured totes, ladylike top handles, canvas and nylon options and large totes built for a full day. Each one is sized for a real workday.

Croc Bags in Style 2026: Fall's Five Bag Shapes

Croc bags are in style for fall 2026, one of five clear shapes with big carryalls, east-west styles, slouchy top handles and evening clutches. I give each shape its own section, from croc-effect leather to clutches.

Burgundy Bags, From Merlot to Oxblood

Burgundy is the most wearable colour for a fall bag, rich enough to feel seasonal and dark enough to work with almost everything. This edit covers shades from merlot to oxblood in clutches, top handles and shoulder bags, with outfits built around white and navy. Each bag works as a neutral with a little extra warmth.

The Ralph Lauren Bear Sweater

Aka Meet Americana With A Wink

Read Editorial

Stiletto Heels Are Back On Terms You Can Actually Walk In

LPA Revolve Picks For Going Out

The Marc Jacobs Tote Bag Pink Edit

The Ganni Trench Coat Edit

Gucci Ophidia: The Mini Bag and Every Small Shape to Carry

The Prada Vest, Styled

Alexander McQueen Sneakers

The Celine T Shirt

Dressing With Intent: Shearling Coats, Belts and Quiet Heels

Dressing with intent now means fabric over embellishment: quieter, heavier pieces, led by outerwear. I go through the coats, the belts and scarves, and the heels that came back quietly.

Read Editorial