How To Wear Looks From Gucci's Fantastic AW18 Runway Show

Today Gucci stunned the fashion world as the label’s designer and creative director, Alessandro Michele, staged a fantastical show at Milan Fashion Week, where models carried replicas of their own severed heads and 3D-rendered dragons, and some sported cyclops makeup. With all of Michele’s wondrous fanfare and a wink at the theatrical inaccessibility of high fashion, who had time to notice the clothes?

The looks at Gucci AW18 were not nearly as futuristic as the cyborg-staged show. Indeed, Michele kept the theatrics to the production. As for the clothing, the most simplified reading of Gucci AW18 pairs plaid with florals and velvet with sequins. Romantic maximalism (lots of taffeta and big bows, similar to what was shown at Marc Jacobs AW18) was offset with jeweled pasties. Non-dragon accessories included nods towards headdresses, turbans, and ski-masks, which seemed to draw on Gucci’s Places app, which was announced last summer.

The Places app allows users a keyhole into Michele’s travels and the inspiration he finds along his adventures, which in turn, funnel down into his collection through the use of intricate symbology.

For Gucci’s AW18 collection, the symbology might not be as intricately woven—or perhaps not as difficult to decode. The headdresses, turbans, and ski-masks represent the designer’s wanderlust, and the millennial desire to explore the world, with people picking up styles of dress along the way.

If you can’t afford to shop Gucci, here are some affordable options to capture the Gucci AW18 spirit, from our friends at Missguided.

1. Mix textures like wool x sequins

This white sweater features long sequin sleeves, a high neckline and fluffy fabric ($60) adding Gucci AW18 texture to your wardrobe.

2. Choose a deep colored velvet

This burgundy velvet pinstripe belted wrap shift dress ($77) would look so Gucci paired with menswear trousers.

3. Play with kimono-inspired tops

This red floral kimono sleeve dress ($16) worn as a layer will help you conjure Gucci AW18.

4. Go maximalist all the way

You don’t half-step maximalism, and with this metallic halter planet top ($43) minimalism is just not an option.

5. Accessorize skin with layered chain necklaces

This gold-toned accessory ($26) recalls the Gucci AW18 chain pasties. You can achieve a PG-rated version of the same look by accessorizing skin with a multi-layered necklace.

6. Add glitter to your wardrobe

This gold sequin top ($77) would be so Gucci AW18 when worn with the kimono-inspired top (see above).

The key to channeling Gucci’s AW18 look is to boldly mismatch textures and prints, and create an ensemble your hipster grandmother would wear. So feel free to wear all these looks at once, and you’ll be on-trend.

About the author

Jill Di Donato

Fashion Editor

Jill is a New York native who holds a BA in Literature from Barnard College, and an MFA in writing from Columbia University. She is the author of the novel Beautiful Garbage (She Writes Press, 2013) about the downtown Manhattan art and fashion scene in the 1980s. A former staff writer for The Huffington Post and Bustle, Jill comes to Culture Trip after working with Refinery 29, Vice, Salon, Paste Style, Los Angeles Times, Nylon, Shopify, Autre, and producing content for emerging fashion labels. She teaches classes about fashion and culture at Barnard College and The Fashion Institute of Technology. Her prized possessions are her Gucci fanny pack, vintage rocker t-shirts, and her grandmother's collection of costume jewelry. She's always on the lookout for a gem-encrusted turban.