Hey, hey, HEY-AY, it’s Fall! Officially. And I’m so excited to talk Fall Trends. I’ve been watching and reading and perusing for months, trying to come up with an easily digestible, totally achievable list of the key pieces you need to know about this Fall.
In order to make the list, the trends had to meet three criteria:
1. Accessible – There must be multiple options at every price point, not just, say, one pair of designer shoes that all the bloggers are wearing.
2. Easy – If a trend is overly tricky or complicated or requires a whole new wardrobe in order to rock it successfully….it’s not on this list.
3. New(ish) – This one is probably up for debate. But in general, if a trend has been around for so long that it’s now a classic, I left it off of this list. That doesn’t mean we won’t be covering it later, but it’s not a trend. Leather jackets, leather pants and menswear, I’m talking to you. (They’re like florals for Spring.) Also? Lace-up flats. They don’t have the lifetime longevity of a leather jacket, but we’ve been talking about them for years now. Yes, keep wearing them, I just don’t want to TALK about them.
A complete list of Fall Trends and styling notes are below, in this post. However, you can shop all of our favorite fall trends in the drop-down menu at the top of the blog. It looks like this on your computer…
Or this on your phone….
But the first thing you need to know about the 2016 Fall Trends is that denim….is a disaster. A few years ago I could order a bunch of jeans, like most of them, and then have a tough time choosing which pair to keep. Now? I order 10 pairs and 10 pairs go back. Rises are all over the map, hemlines are jumping around, sizes are the most inconsistant they’ve ever been, and the determination of leg widths (straight, skinny, slouchy, flare, wideleg) defy logic. I swear the denim makers are out to get us.
The take-away? There’s a major shift happening in denim. It’s like when we went from bootcut jeans to skinnies. Something…is…happening. I can’t quite figure out exactly where we’ll end up (my gut feel is that high rise and mom jeans aren’t going anywhere), but in the meantime, I have a few strategies to keep our beloved skinnies current. (And I promise we’ll talk about cropped flares SOON.) But if there’s one thing we can learn from bloggers the world over…it’s that no one trend will ever dominate.
On that rather ominous note (ha, ha…ha)….keep reading for my list of the Most Wearable Fall Trends of 2016.
1. 90’s Inspired Chokers
Featured above: Vanessa Mooney Leather Choker in gold
If there’s one easy way to upgrade your daily uniform, it’s adding a choker. Tshirts, sweaters, button-down shirts all show off chokers nicely. On date night, a flirty, off-the-shoulder top is perfectly paired with a choker. If chokers drive you crazy (not all are comfortable), try a statement collar necklace or an adjustable lariat-style. All are on-point, and the last two have the added benefit of layering over turtlenecks, too.
Shop Our Favorite Chokers
You can find all of our favorites under Shop Fall Trends: ’90s Chokers.
2. Leopard Print Accessories
Featured above: Sole Society Giant Scarf
T-shirt and jeans feeling a little stale? Add a leopard print accessory. Treat ’em like neutrals, and don’t fuss over matching. Bonus points for pairing your leopard print with military jackets and graphic tees – the mix of tomboy/glamgirl is spot-on.
ONE: tshirt | leopard scarf | jeans | sneakers
THREE: graphic tee | clutch | jeans | shoes
Shop Our Fav Leopard Print Accessories
You can find all of our favorites under Shop Fall Trends: Leopard Print Accessories.
3. Major Sleeves
featured above: J.Crew Ruffle Sleeve Top (now at Nordstrom)
Major sleeves are having a MAJOR moment. From t-shirts with a frilly short sleeve (like the one pictured above) to looooong bell sleeves on sweaters, a statement sleeve is an easy way to update your current look. Just be warned: if your day involves packing lunches or doing art projects, look for shorter ruffle sleeves or tight bell sleeves that can be folded back.
Shop Our Fav Major Sleeves
Our favs can be found in the Fall Trends: Major Sleeves shop.
4. Cold Shoulders, Warm Arms
featured above: LNA Scarf Sweater
The off-the-shoulder trend is defying the change of season by simply adapting to the cold with longer sleeves. Sometimes called ‘scarf sweaters’ due to the scarf-like nature of the top piece that winds around your shoulders, this trend is a perfect way to sex up you look. Need a little more coverage, and/or warmth? Add an actual scarf. The bare shoulders + scarf combo is both practical and cute.
Hi, Gwen.
scarf – old | sweater
Shop Our Fav Scarf Sweaters
Our favs can be found in the Fall Trends: Scarf Sweaters shop.
5. Giant Knits
featured above: Lovers + Friends X Revolve Kate Sweater
One easy way to make skinnies and/or leggings feel fresh is to pair them with an of-the-moment giant knit. Think the large, drapey turtlenecks, extra-long sleeves, and a soft, fuzzy texture. These sweaters also layer beautifully over short dresses (just leave a few inches of hem sticking out), maxi dresses, and flares for a seriously modern look.
If you are worried this look might overwhelm (or obscure curves), try oversized pieces in thin, drapy knits (extra-long sleeves help), or slouchy wrap sweaters that hug the waist, but fall off one shoulder. Both have that delicious feeling associated with a giant knit.
old pic, outfit details here
Shop Our Fav Giant Knits
All of our favorite giant knit sweaters can be found in Fall Trends: Giant Knit Shop.
6. Round Sunglasses
featured above: Infinity Spitfire (under $50!)
Tired of aviators? Me too. Swap ’em out for round sunglasses – they’re a sure bet for fall. And if the perfect circle skews a little too Harry Potter, go for sunglasses that are slightly rounder than the ubiquitous aviators, and slightly smaller than the oversized shades of years past. Bonus points for glam mirrors.
Shop Our Fav Round Sunglasses
You can find all our favorites under Shop Fall Trends: Round Sunglasses.
7. Patterned Sweaters
featured: Kate Moss X Equipment Lightning Bolt Sweater
This Fall, brighten up your wardrobe with a sweater in a quirky pattern, cool graphic, or supersaturated bright color. These sweaters pair perfectly with faded black jeans and leather jackets….or layer over a white collared shirt for a look that’s cool, rather than just preppy.
Shop Our Fav Patterned Sweaters
You can find all of our favorites under Shop Fall Trends: Patterned Sweaters.
8. Layer T-Shirts And Turtlenecks Under EVERYTHING
featured: House of Harlow Black Lace Cami
We did this in the ’90s, Mamas, and here we go again. Truth be told, I never got over this look. And if you’ve been reading TME for a while, you’ve seen this styling trick before (here, here, here, here, etc). So practical, easy, and now….modern? Whatevs. I’ll take it.
ME: tshirt | top | jeans | shoes | bag | sunnies
RAINES: tshirt | jeans | shoes
Shop Our Fav Tshirts and Turtlenecks For Layering
You can find all of our favorites under Fall Trends: Cami’s, Tees & Turtlenecks.
9. Over The Ankle Boots
featured in collage above: these scary ones…but this pair is waaaayyyy better
We talked about these boots last Fall. At the time, the term on everyone’s lips was the ‘sock boot’ (our article here), but since then, they’ve just morphed into various ‘high shaft’, ‘mid calf’ etc etc so I’m just going to round these all up into the term Over The Ankle boots. These boots have a mod vibe – the shaft does indeed go higher than traditional ankle boots, it’s (ideally) soft, and should be tight (not gaping) around your ankle. Last year, this style of boot was emerging, but still a little tricky to find. This Fall, happily, they are EVERYWHERE, with a wider range of heel heights. These boots are ah-mazing to wear with all manner of cropped pants, dresses – even boyfriend jeans (and those tricky, tricky cropped flares), totally transform your skirt and dress game, and even modernize your faithful skinny jeans. We’ll be doing more how-to-wears on this style soon.
If you only do ONE THING to update your look this Fall….this is it.
sweater | shorts | backpack | boots
Shop Our Fav Over-The-Ankle Boots
Our favorite Over-the-ankle, mid-calf, sock boots (or whatever the heck you call them) can be found in our Fall Trends: Over-The-Ankle Boot Shop.
10. Cropped Denim
featured above: GRLFRND High Rise Cropped Skinnies
Let’s address the elephant in the room, shall we? Cropped. Flares. Without a doubt, high-rise cropped flares are easily the biggest trend of the season. But with this crew (YES I’M TALKING TO YOU, MAMAS), it’s the sartorial equivalent of shouting Voldemort. Because this article is about the most wearable fall trends (and cropped flares are tricky), I’ll refrain from saying the dark lord’s name. For now. But rest assured, there will be many more discussions – SOON – on cropped flares.
For now, the easiest way to stay current with denim trends is to simply crop your skinnies. Chop ’em off right above the ankle with a pair of scissors (I actually chopped off the black pair I’m wearing in the dressing room), and don’t worry overly much about getting the hem perfectly straight. If you are taller than me (5’3″), you might actually be able to buy some of the cool cropped jeans with raw-edge hems already pre-made.
Shop Our Fav Cropped Denim
You can find all of our favorites under Shop Fall Trends: Cropped Denim.
11. Cold-Shoulder Tees and Sweatshirts
featured: Jack by BB Dakota Bartemus Top
This trend has been going strong for so long, these tops are starting to feel like basics. I like them because they’re interesting, yet completely wearable. Find tshirts and sweatshirts with shoulder cut-outs, one-shoulder, off-the-shoulder, open backs, etc. Wear with a pretty bra (I almost always do black). Done.
Shop Our Fav Cut-Out Tops and Sweatshirts
You can find all of our favorites under Shop Fall Trends: Cut-Out Tops & Sweatshirts.
12. Fashion Sneakers
featured above: New Balance 410s
For a mom, this shoe is almost life-changing. Walk ’em to school, hit the playground, play soccer, climb on stuff, wear ’em all day….AND….look cute doing it. I’ve already talked about my obsession with fashion sneakers here (as well as rounded up a bunch of my favs). As a bonus, many readers commented on that article with more options and advice, because, as you guys demonstrate over and over…you are the best.
Shop Our Fav Fashion Sneakers
You can find all of our favorites under Shop Fall Trends: Fashion Sneakers.
13. Faded Black Jeans
featured above: 7 For All Mankind Distressed Skinnies
If there’s one way to edge up your look a little, it’s to swap out your everyday skinnies for an almost-black pair. These are not the dark black skinnies of old – look for variations in tone (you want a range of grays and black), and maybe even some rips and distressing.
Shop Our Favorite Almost-Black Jeans
You can find all of our favorites under Shop Fall Trends: Faded Black Denim.
14. Cut-Out Booties
Featured above: Jeff Campbell Taggart Booties
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you’ll know my cut-out booties of choice are taupe, primarily because cut-out booties, taupe, and my bare legs go so well together. Cut-out booties are the perfect Transition-To-Fall boot (hence the bare legs reference), but you needn’t limit yourself to just taupe. Especially with Fall’s rich colors coming on strong. Lately, I’ve been eyeing up some army green suede pairs…..because sometimes, all it takes to upgrade your look is a statement shoe. This is that shoe.
outfit deets here
Shop Our Favorite Cut-Out Booties
All of our fav Cut-Out Booties can be found in the Fall Trends: Cut-Out Booties Shop.
15. Thigh-High Boots
featured above: Stuart Weitzman Lowland Boots
This trend has been around for years, and isn’t going anywhere. If anything, these boots are getting higher. Over-the-knee? Yes, absolutely. Mid-thigh? HELLS YEAH. Wear them alllll winter long with leggings, skinnies, and dresses. Sex appeal with warmth and comfort is hard to beat. I don’t see this trend going anywhere for quite some time.
Shop Our Favorite Thigh-High Boots
You can find all our favorites under Shop Fall Trends: Thigh-High Boots.
16. Military Trend
featured: JBrand Houlihans
Dig out your old army jackets, anything with brass buttons (sir yes sir)…but the piece I’m so flipping excited about are the cargo pants. As I just discussed in this article, I especially love these pants paired with something a little girly (ruffly tops), preppy (stripes), or glam (leopard). Such a fun and easy update to your daily uniform.
Shop Our Favorite Military Pieces
Our favorite cargo pants, utility pants, anoraks, officer jackets and all things camo can be found in our Fall Trends: Military shop.
17. Velvet And Corduroy
featured: 7 For All Mankind Flares
Welcome back, Velvet and Corduroy. Nice to see you again.
This is another trend that tends to pop up over and over and over again. And while – technically speaking – this Fall is filled with richly textured blazers, coats, skirts, dresses, pants, overalls, etc….the easiest way to wear the trend is in a figure-flattering flare. I’ve bought countless pairs of cord skinnies and they never seem to hold their shape well (admittedly velvet performs better), and cord or velvet jackets are often too bulky at the price point I’m willing to invest in. I haven’t given up completely, but for the purposes of this ‘Most Wearable’ list, the cord or velvet flare wins, hands-down.
However. New to the game this season are corduroy rompers, skirts (in a fine wale cord), and short-shorts that seem made for over-the-knee boots and long trenches. There’s even a drool-worthy long trench coat in cord.
I like to pair cord or velvet pants (anything richly textured, really) with pieces in similar hues for a bold, monochromatic look. Whether you match your shoes and pants, or just pile on a range of similar hues, the look is cozy and fresh. Anthro nails the styling:
Shop Our Favorite Cord and Velvet Flares
Shop our favorite Velvet and Cord pieces in the Fall Trends: Velvet and Corduroy Shop.
Happy Fall, Everyone!! Now we can start talking holidays. (HA, HA…ha)
xo,
S
