Leandra Medine Cohen, the visionary founder of the iconic fashion blog ‘Man Repeller,’ is renowned for her distinctive, witty styling that has garnered a devoted following among global fashion influencers. Her approach to fashion is characterized by unpredictability, a masterful blend of classic and humorous elements, and a fearless ability to mix high-end and low-end pieces. Cohen champions fashion that brings personal joy, often referred to as ‘fashion for self-satisfaction.’ Each season, she collaborates with Zara to curate and present unique styling concepts, demonstrating how to create rich and varied looks using accessible items. This fall, Cohen returns with her curated selections, offering her unique interpretations of seasonal style. Here are seven looks handpicked by the fashion expert.
1. Navy Meets Grey: A Sophisticated Palette
Fall is the season for thoughtful layering and embracing muted color palettes. The combination of deep navy and sophisticated grey offers an elegant yet urban appeal. Leandra Medine Cohen demonstrates this with a navy knit polo shirt paired with grey quilted culottes, creating a look that is both comfortable and exudes a refined tomboy aesthetic. The flowing silhouette of the wide-leg culottes catches the autumn breeze, adding a sense of effortless movement and active charm. This is complemented by sleek pointed-toe slingbacks and a vintage-inspired pocket bag, striking a perfect balance between classic style and current trends. This ensemble is ideal for city strolls or weekend outings, harmonizing perfectly with the autumn atmosphere.
2. The Full Camel Suit: A Modern Classic
If the familiar black suit feels a bit too conventional this fall, consider Leandra’s suggestion of a camel-toned suit. Her chosen camel suit is anything but monotonous, thanks to its playful silhouette. The jacket is cropped, and the trousers feature a high waist, injecting a dose of professional flair with a contemporary twist. The cropped jacket visually elongates the legs, while the high-waisted trousers create a clean and elegant line with every step. Cohen embraces the essence of autumn with a tailored suit in a warm camel hue, adding bold finishing touches. A statement choker adorned with metal details instantly elevates the look, while oversized sunglasses that frame half the face leave a strong impression. This is a quintessentially Leandra Medine Cohen style, merging classic tailoring with daring wit.
3. Color Explosion: Bold Combinations for Fall
Inject vibrancy into your autumn wardrobe with daring color pairings. Using black flared pants with a retro vibe as a base, Cohen introduces a powerful focal point with a bold combination of red and purple. A deep V-neck red knit is layered with a vibrant purple top draped casually over the shoulders, instantly drawing the eye. Take inspiration from this styling and pair black flared pants, which provide a great silhouette for fall, with unexpected pops of color. Drape two contrasting colored items over your shoulders or at your waist for a striking effect. The clash of these colors creates a fashion-forward energy. Finishing the look with a vintage silver necklace, much like Leandra’s, makes it a perfect choice for a special autumn evening.
4. Playing with Texture: A Tactile Ensemble
Leandra Medine Cohen masterfully contrasts textures by pairing a vintage leather coat with a subtly shimmering beaded skirt. This juxtaposition highlights the interplay between the ruggedness of leather and the delicate embellishment of beads. The earthy brown of the coat and the light grey of the skirt, along with the autumnal feel of the coat and the bird-feather-like quality of the skirt, create a captivating contrast and harmony. For the inner layer, a minimalist grey t-shirt was chosen to allow the outerwear and skirt to stand out, maintaining overall balance. This is a useful tip for achieving a well-proportioned look. The ensemble is finished with cat-eye sunglasses and pointed-toe heeled shoes, exuding a chic Parisian mood. This look truly showcases Cohen’s keen eye for mixing and matching.
5. Sleek Minimalism: Effortless Chic
As the saying goes, ‘Simple is best.’ Sometimes, the most straightforward items create the greatest impact. Leandra embodies the essence of fall minimalism with a clean white t-shirt paired with an architectural black skirt. The combination of a precisely cut t-shirt and a barrel-fit skirt, which narrows towards the ankle from the hips and knees, creates a modern and sophisticated silhouette. Square-frame sunglasses, black loafers reminiscent of ‘The Row,’ and a bold gold choker add chic accents to an otherwise simple look, preventing it from appearing too plain. This is a foundational daily skirt look that is easy to try this autumn without feeling overwhelmed.
6. Romantic Meets Casual: Blouse and Denim
The rich texture of a voluminous shirring blouse feels even more captivating in the crisp autumn air. The detailed, voluminous blouse conveys a romantic yet free-spirited mood. Leandra pairs this dreamy blouse with ankle-length denim jeans, creating a look that is both casual and chic. At the feet, structured low-heel mules in a bold color add an unexpected touch. The subtle shirring of the blouse, the clean silhouette of the denim, the minimalist black inner layer, and the deep color accent of the shoes all come together to create a look that is perfect for an autumn date. The combination of the blouse’s delicate details, the denim’s straightforward cut, and the shoe’s color point results in an outfit ideal for an autumn date.
7. A Trench Coat with a Twist: Playful Styling
The trench coat, a quintessential autumn staple, becomes extraordinary when touched by Leandra’s styling expertise. The key to this particular look lies in the combination of an alpaca knit and a bandana scarf. A beige trench coat, enhanced with cape details, is styled with the knit casually tied around the waist like a belt. This not only defines the waistline but also introduces a rich color palette, as the grey, baby blue, and wine colors within the knit harmonize with the beige of the outer layer, creating a diverse autumn color scheme. The playful use of a denim scarf with a daisy pattern as a hair accessory is also noteworthy. By incorporating humorous styling tips into a classic trench coat, along with a shirring mini bag and brown mules, Cohen achieves an elegant and romantic vibe. This styling is highly recommended as a chic travel look for the autumn season.
