Hybrid fashion is rewriting the rules of dressing. Picture trousers that flow out into skirts, coats that carry their own scarves, and tops that wrap like wearable origami. These pieces aren’t just clever—they redefine versatility. Designed for days that defy categorization, hybrid styles strike a balance between utility and ideation, transforming practicality into something quietly avant-garde.
Vogue’s Built-In Fashion Guide:
You may think it all started with Toteme’s 2021 “scoat,” or found its stride in Alaïa’s peplum balloon pants, but this trend has roots in the decade of decadence. Designer Yeohlee Teng first gained recognition for her scarf-coat hybrids in the 1980s, rooted in a “no piece left behind” philosophy. After that, the Y2K movement brought forth the skirt over pants look (“skants,” or skirt-pants, if you will), popularized by starlets like Ashley Tisdale and Miley Cyrus who wore their skirts over low-rise, light-wash jeans. And we’d be remiss not to mention Avril Lavigne and her borrowed-from-the-boys sensibilities—she wore her skater T-shirts layered, and mismatched in pattern. Ah, the 2000s.
For Maria McManus, founder of her eponymous label, the modern woman’s wardrobe requires versatility, now more than ever—her Cloak coat embodies this thinking. “Women need flexibility to move through full, varied days—school drop-off, work, travel, and evening events, often across shifting climates. Versatile clothing supports all aspects of busy lives,” she explains to Vogue.
It’s fashion’s answer to modern multitasking—pieces that move, morph, and make sense in a world where no one has time to change twice a day. On the celebrity circuit, you’ll find fans in Kendall Jenner, Kaia Gerber, and Jennifer Lawrence, who were all seen sporting layered skirt-pants earlier this year.
For a more approachable take on the trend, try an everyday T-shirt or knit with built-in layers, whether it be a long-sleeve attached to a short sleeve, or the hem of a lace-trimmed dress peeking out from a sweater. Or perhaps a blazer adorned with chiffon drapery? Or the most sensible choice for now: a coat weather-proofed with scarf and hood attachments.
“I’m drawn to simple, versatile clothing that can be styled in multiple interesting ways, ideal for traveling light and creating many looks from one garment,” McManus shares. That sentiment is echoed in this edit, which spotlights hybrid fashions that can be styled
The Layered Layers
Why spend your mornings getting dressed, fussing with layers that just don’t seem to lay, sit, or tuck properly? Built-in styles are the trick, and they come in button-up striped tops, casual T-shirts, and turtlenecks with attached tanks.
The Skirt-Pants
The coolest skirt-pant hybrids of now come in two variations: minimalist and maximalist. Aläia, Bottega Veneta, and Zara have subdued, pared-back options, while Dries Van Noten embraces a more-is-more approach with bold, purposefully clashing prints and mixed materials.
The Scarf Top
Whether you prefer a scarf-like blouse that drapes loosely around your neck or a poplin shirt that adds an enchanting layer, you will find the perfect option that represents the runway’s benchmark of polish. There’s also a new addition to the category: just take a look at Kallmeyer and Acne’s tie-attached button-up shirts.
The Upgraded Blazer
Polished yet practical, blazers with built-in accessories are structured enough to mean business, but with an nonchalant drape or hood that says off-duty. Go capital F-fashion with Sacai and Nina Ricci or everyday-cool with Massimo Dutti and Max Mara.
The Scarf Coat
Bundle up in style while avoiding the annoyance of another daily accessory with the scarf coat. You’ll find Toteme’s classic iteration, cast in a creamy wool, with fringe. Or, for the in-between weather, look to Burberry’s cropped trenchcoat cape, and Another Tomorrow’s short scarf coat. For the real chill to come, Ferragamo will be worth the price.
