Elsa Hosk References a "Very Cool Rich Lady" in an H&M Pinstripe Suit

Elsa Hosk wears a layered H&M suit standing in front of a red wall

(Image credit: Courtesy H&M)

published 19 November 2024

When Charli XCX sang, "I'm your favorite reference, baby," on the track "360," most attendees at H&M's surprise Times Square concert and Hotel Chelsea after-party agreed. (Every trendy winter coat paired to hot pants and a Gucci bag in the crowd was proof.) But model and designer Elsa Hosk had a different reference on the mood board for her Monday night out. It was more "fashion week billionaire" than "brat."

The Helsa founder eschewed indie-sleaze, club-rat clothing for a suit representative of her favorite tonal dressing for fall. She pulled two as-yet unreleased pieces from the H&M Studio collection, an oversize pinstripe blazer with an asymmetric closure and a slouchy pair of matching trousers. (Both will be available to purchase on Thursday, Nov. 21.) '80s-inspired earrings and a pair of black loafers completed a look that cast partying as serious business.

Elsa Hosk stands in front of a red textured wall wearing an H&M pinstripe suit with a wrapped opening and wide leg pants — Elsa Hosk wears an H&M Studio suit to a Hotel Chelsea after-party.

"I love a little bit of a reference when I get dressed," Hosk said. In this case, the subtle, texture pinstripe and differently-shaped buttons helped her tap into a doyenne of the Corso Como. "It felt very 'cool rich lady,' so I went with a bit of teased old lady hair to go with it, like the fabulous old ladies in Milan," she explains, "and classic, nude tonal makeup."

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The last time Hosk made a big appearance, she was channeling Princess Diana's revenge dress with a pixie cut and pearls to match. Last night, she still had the late royal in her rolodex of references—but Lauren Hutton, Grace Jones, Jane Birkin, and Chloë Sevigny also got name-checked at the door. There's a through-line across all their varied tastes and signatures: "I’m constantly inspired by women and men who dress for themselves," Hosk says. Or, more succinctly: "All the icons!"

Elsa Hosk and Shay Mitchell at an H&M event — Hosk posed with modern muses including Shay Mitchell.

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Elsa Hosk wears a pinstripe H&M suit with wide leg pants and a wrap blazer in front of a textured red wall — Hosk's suit was her nod to "all the icons."

One could make a case that Elsa Hosk is another favorite reference in fashion circles. She has 8.7 million Instagram followers hanging on her every outfit; her clothing line, Helsa, frequently sells out. She attributes her style success to being true to herself. "I’ve always been big on fit and love creating a moment that inspires people to go for it, do your own thing," she explains of her design process. "Helsa has taught me about confidence, trusting my gut, and that when I make clothes that I want to wear and feel comfortable and empowered in, it resonates[.]"

From her slouchy, "richy lady" H&M suit to her tonal knitwear, Hosk's wardrobe is probably best described by another of Charli's lyrics: She's "lookin' like an icon."

Halie LeSavage is the senior fashion and beauty news editor at Marie Claire, where she assigns, edits, and writes stories for both sections. Halie is an expert on runway trends, celebrity style, emerging fashion and beauty brands, and shopping (naturally). In over seven years as a professional journalist, Halie’s reporting has ranged from fashion week coverage spanning the Copenhagen, New York, Milan, and Paris markets, to profiles on industry insiders like celebrity stylist Molly Dickson, to breaking news stories on noteworthy brand collaborations and beauty product launches. (She can personally confirm that Bella Hadid’s Ôrebella perfume is worth the hype.) She has also written dozens of research-backed shopping guides to finding the best tote bags, ballet flats, and more. Most of all, Halie loves to explore what style trends—like the rise of emotional support accessories or TikTok’s 75 Hard Style Challenge—can say about culture writ large. She also justifies almost any purchase by saying it’s “for work.”

Halie has previously held writer and editor roles at Glamour, Morning Brew, and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been cited as a fashion and beauty expert in The Cut, CNN Underscored, and Reuters, among other outlets, and appears in newsletters like Selleb and Self Checkout to provide shopping recommendations. In 2022, she earned the Hearst Spotlight Award for excellence and innovation in fashion journalism. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Harvard College. Outside of work, Halie is passionate about books, baking, and her miniature Bernedoodle, Dolly. For a behind-the-scenes look at her reporting, you can follow Halie on Instagram and TikTok.