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1. Sartorial sultriness is in—but it's not what you think 2. There are two Anna Wintours at fashion week 3. The perfume that turned me from fragrance-ambivalent to signature-scent obsessed 

Prada, Saint Laurent, Versace / Photos via Launchmetrics/Spotlight

There was a time, not so long ago, when it seemed sexiness had slipped away; lost to stretchy waistbands, a lack of in-person events and a general deficit in joie de vivre. But at fashion month, the splashiest runways have declared that those days are done.

Sexy is not about showing skin or donning circulation-cutting silhouettes. Nay, sexy is a state of mind—shepherded forth by fabulous designs and intentional dressing. Often, it means opting for the less "safe" option simply because you want to. It's not about wearing clothes out of necessity; sexiness makes you feel alive! Walk with me. 

Versace / Photos via Launchmetrics/Spotlight

Skillful skin-baring

Versace’s Milan Fashion Week show, for one, was arguably all about sexiness. Dario Vitale filled his debut collection with references to Gianni Versace, peppering pieces with maximalist '80s codes and wacky colour stories. 180-ing the brand’s aesthetic over the past few years, it was shocking and tantalizing to many, featuring bedazzled bras, tops with chest-revealing slashes and men’s short shorts with super tight fits. 

Saint Laurent / Photos courtesy of Saint Laurent

More is more

But sexiness can take another form entirely, as was the case at Anthony Vaccarello’s Saint Laurent show yesterday. The brand kicked off Paris Fashion Week by diving into glamour—I mean, look at this set—and offered a lesson in how an excess of fabric can also be sexy. 

Saint Laurent / Photos courtesy of Saint Laurent

Superfluous gowns in rich jewel tones floated around the space, while glossy leather looks were cinched just so. Models dripped in languid ripples and dazzling jewels, capturing the primary ingredient to sexiness: tension. (Push + pull = desire.)

Prada / Photo courtesy of Prada

Cheeky layering

There were peekaboo bras at Prada, designed with colour-blocking contrast for a hit of made-you-look wit. The skirts were similarly sultry, with stitched-together fabrics—like lace and silky satin—resulting in draping that draws the eyes.

Eckhaus Latta / Photos via Getty

Sexiness is gender-free

In New York, Eckhaus Latta took this idea to the extreme. In its pared-down collection, the brand reinvented the classic tee with open-facing cut-outs, baring models’ full chests. It's a bit bizarre and brazenly outré—and that's what makes it sexy.

Paolo Carzana, Yuhan Wang, LaQuan Smith / Photo via Launchmetrics/Spotlight

It's been a longtime coming

Standout trends that have been building for a while—sheers, slits, bondage-like belts—have been everywhere this season. A few months ago, fashion blogger Leandra Medine wrote that the sexy dresser “is driven by curiosity and unapologeticism.” They celebrate the things that turn them on, she says—and they’re open to discovering new ones. 

Hodakova, Saint Laurent, Kim Shui / Photos via Launchmetrics/Spotlight

Perhaps the return to sexiness is a call for intimacy at a time when we feel severed from one another. Or, maybe it’s just about having fun. Whatever the case, to choose a sexy life is to follow your desires. Consider this your sign to do so. 

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I HAVE SOMEONE IN MIND

The items topping my feel-sexy list as of late.

$167, Artless Forever

Made of lightweight knit, this tank-and-cardigan set offers a smoothing body-hugging fit with stretch and subtle shaping. I've realized that a matching top set like this one is a major style hack for feeling instantly chic, and this velvety design—available in the pictured charcoal, baby blue and sand—checks that box.

$200, Aesop

I’ve never been one to have a signature scent—I’m unfussy with my perfumes, quickly selecting from my vanity line-up of bottles based on my mood for the day—but when I got my hands on this, I realized what it meant to find a scent that felt like me. It’s layered and spicy, with warm cardamom, amber-y Frankincense and rich vanilla. Extremely yummy. 

$23, Neutrogena

Subscribers of this newsletter may recall my essay about being abroad for weeks at fashion month. When I returned—with dull, dehydrated skin—Neutrogena’s new Collagen Bank moisturizer became an instant saviour. It’s made with bakuchiol: a plant-based alternative to retinol, which helps protect and deliver collagen to the skin. 

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A few weeks ago, Annika Lautens penned her last newsletter as part of our team (😪)—announcing her departure from FASHION to start a new chapter in her career. Today, I’m thrilled to share I’ll be stepping into Annika’s role as Fashion & Features Editor—turning my focus to the style pages of our print magazine. I know I have big shoes to fill, but I’m so excited to see where we can take it.
💌 Say hi anytime: natalie.michie@stjoseph.com

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