Hermès Street Style Decoded: Highlights from F/W 2024 Paris Fashion Week

Hermès has been synonymous with luxury since its inception in 1837. The brand has survived trends, recessions, and an ever changing fashion landscape thanks to its timeless silhouettes and masterful craftsmanship. In 1956 Princess Grace Kelly launched the brand into the fashion sphere, allegedly hiding her pregnancy with her namesake bag (named such after this iconic event), and Jane Birkin solidified its commercial position and viability after years of the brand struggling. She and Jean-Louis Dumas conceptualized the Birkin on a napkin during a flight together. She expressed her frustration with her other iconic bag - the wicker basket she toted daily. And thus the Birkin was born - a larger, more practical version of the Kelly that she adorned with beads and keychains and stuffed to the brim with any and everything a woman on the go might need. 

Decades, even centuries later, we still look to Hermès to provide us with iconic pieces. Their practical use may have long ago shifted to more of a status symbol, but there is no bitterness from those of us who have yet to reach the tax bracket in which we can afford such luxuries. Instead, we acknowledge the artistry and artisanship, and appreciate that the brand has stayed true to its house codes. Unlike some luxury brands that have been rapidly increasing their prices simply because they can in a not so veiled attempt to increase exclusivity (see: Chanel’s Classic Medium Flap has doubled in the last five years alone), Hermès has the heritage to back it up - if they chose to go in this direction. Despite this, their prices have nearly (not exactly, but pretty darn close) matched inflation since they first launched the Birkin for $2,000 in 1984. They sell aspirational pieces (for most of us), and if we can one day purchase their top tier pieces, we know we are making a worthy investment and it will be that much sweeter.

So, while we appreciate from afar, there is no better way to do this than with their Paris Fashion Week street style looks. Attendees know that dressing for Hermès means donning timeless silhouettes, letting the accessories be the focal point, and embracing updated classics. It is 2024 after all and we can’t avoid trends entirely.

It was a rainy day in Paris, the perfect backdrop for a collection grounded in nature - an earth toned palette of dark browns and khakis paired with natural textiles brought a grounded element to the collection. Many showgoers styled mid-calf trenches in neutral buttery leathers, keeping the colors muted to let the bags do the talking. 

Struggling with colorful accessories? Take notes here - camels and creams paired with orange keeps the look from feeling too over-the-top. And want to add a bit more to elevate the look? Add a scarf, preferably in muted blue tones.

Guests arrive at Hermès F/W 2024 during Paris Fashion Week, photos courtesy of William Perez.

Leaning more towards a darker base? Chocolate brown looks stunning with pops of lime and Hermes’ bleu zanzibar. (Side note: brown, blue, and orange might be the perfect combo) If you aren’t a fan of leather pants, Violet Grace Atkinson makes a case for knitwear instead. It keeps an element of texture while allowing for much more comfort and movement. When shopping for knitwear, focus on silhouette. Violet’s high neck and side cutouts are a far cry from the boring turtleneck I bought.

Violet Grace Atkinson and Yuwei Zhangzou arrive at Hermès F/W 2024 during Paris Fashion Week, photos courtesy of William Perez.

Camel leather is a great base to pair with any and all colors. Take notes from Laura Vidrequin Roso and keep things tonal, or refer to Heart Evangelista for a masterclass in the black, brown, and camel combination.

Laura Vidrequin Roso, Leia Sfez, and Heart Evangelista arrive at Hermès F/W 2024 during Paris Fashion Week, courtesy of William Perez.

And Leia Sfez looked every bit the modern-day Jane Birkin with her denim on denim and perfectly accessorized handle. Jane believed that the bag was meant to be worn, and Leia Sfez looked every bit the modern-day Jane Birkin with her denim on denim and perfectly accessorized handle. Jane believed that the bag was meant to be worn, and eventually worn-in, and Leia’s obviously well loved bag is well on its way. She even went so far as to use the quintessential crook of the arm hold that Jane utilized time and time again.

Red was the color last season, and it’s not going anywhere. Olivia Joan let her skirt do the talking, keeping the rest of the look black and Elly McGaw proved that red tights aren’t going anywhere. Caroline Daur kept things classic, pairing her black trench with black tights and pumps, and Farnoush Hamidian opted for the other end of the spectrum with an all-white look.

Caroline Daur, Olivia Galli, Farnoush Hamidian, and Elly McGaw arrive at Hermès F/W 2024 during Paris Fashion Week, courtesy of William Perez.

Don’t want to rock cherry red? This season runways show wine red is the next iteration. Leoni Hanne proved that monochromatic doesn’t have to mean boring. Tones in the same color family make the look feel fresh, but is an easy styling trick that immediately adds dimension. And it looks like Leoni isn’t the only one who got the  memo - Pernille Teisbark styled the same pair of shoes with a wine red jacket and bag, however she opted for a capri length pant. Zina Charkoplia wore one of the season’s biggest trends - the scarf coat.

Leoni Hanne, Zina Charkoplia, and Natalia Vodianova arrive at Hermès F/W 2024 during Paris Fashion Week, courtesy of William Perez.

Still not convinced on the colorful accessory front? Black on black is always classic. Use textures, like this leather fringe that Kiwi Lee paired with smooth leather, to add detail instead. Or refer to Kelly Rutherford, the queen of minimalism - it’s all in the cut. Her cape sleeves and slight wrap waist detail prove that it’s the attention to details that make or break an outfit.

Kelly Rutherford and Kiwi Lee arrive at Hermès F/W 2024 during Paris Fashion Week, photos courtesy of William Perez.

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