The Trends I am Buying this Fall (and the Ones I am Leaving at the Store)
I’ll be honest, I’m not much of a trend person. I’ve built my whole approach to dressing around the opposite idea, buying things slowly and deliberately so my closet doesn’t need a seasonal overhaul every time the fashion police decides what’s next. But every September the trend reports still land in my inbox like clockwork, and this year I decided to hash it out with two women whose opinion I genuinely trust, Susan from Une Femme and Jennifer from A Well Styled Life. The three of us are each sharing our own take, the handful of trends we’re genuinely willing to let in and the rest we’re politely declining.
What I’m Embracing
Olive and moss, head to toe !
These greens are having their moment this season, and I could not be happier about it. They’re warmer and more interesting than a straight neutral, they can be mixed with a pop of chartreuse, and they play beautifully with the Native American, and tortoise pieces I already love.
Shop Olive Looks
Suede, everywhere.
Suede loafers, suede jackets, suede bags. There’s something about the texture that photographs like luxury even when the price tag doesn’t. I’ve always gravitated toward interesting textures over flat leather, so this one feels like the trend forecasters finally caught up to me.
Shop Suede Faves
Zebra and leopard.
This isn’t new for me. I’ve been collecting hide bags and shoes in animal print for years, and I’m delighted the trend cycle has swung back around to validate what was already in my closet. A great zebra tote does more for an outfit than almost anything else I own. I am coveting this one. I was gifted the version I shared above, but the brown and white is so good! I wish it were less expensive!!
I absolutely adore these jeans from Chicos and the blazer. Of course I combined them with tortoise accessories and my much loved velvet birdies.
Shop the Look
https://go.shopmy.us/p-87209039
Western Influenced
I love how a great pair of Western-inspired boots or a suede fringe detail feels a little unexpected without tipping into costume. It’s the rare trend that doesn’t read as “trend” at all, it just reads as good taste that happens to be in fashion right now. A jacket with just a bit of fringe, vintage Ralph Lauren, or a pair of boots with some real character is the kind of thing i have been wearing for decades.
This great Rails jacket was a purchase thanks to my partner in crime on Signature Style Kim. She gets me into trouble often. I did find mine on super sale (wearking a medium as the small was sold out) Kim said she didn’t notice much difference between the two (linked below). I love it because it doesn’t scream cowboy. I could have worn it with my cowboy boots but did not choose to.
Get the Look
I “rangled” this vintage serape coat by Ralph Lauren a couple of years ago. I probably spent two years searching for it. The skirt is old from Zara, similar linked below. To keep this outfit from looking to “ranchy” I paired it with comfy Kenneth Cole booties, and a Poshmark find years ago of the Rag and Bone bag that I still adore.
Get the Look
Shop Western Influenced Favorites
Slim Loafers with a little texture or hide.
I’ve always loved a loafer in an interesting texture, and this season’s filled with options. Comfortable and a little bit cool. That’s the whole game at this point in life.
Shop Loafers I am Coveting
What I’m Not Buying
Gold anything.
I have never worn gold hoops and I am not starting now because a trend report told me to. Silver hair & gold jewelry are not a good mix for me. My jewelry drawer is tortoise, vintage silver, Native American, and the occasional bone or horn piece, and that’s not changing for a trend.
The pencil skirt revival.
I never understood these the first time around. I understand the appeal, there’s a whole nostalgia wave built around that slick, minimal ’90s silhouette, but they simply are not comfortable. My closet is built for movement, for wine tasting, travel and long lunches that turn into long afternoons. A pencil skirt has never once accommodated any of those.
Ruffles and Bows .
I understand the romance of it, but the moment a blouse starts looking like it’s wrapping itself as a gift, I’m over it. It reads sweet on someone in their twenties and costume-y on me. I’d rather purchase soemthing with a little attitude.
Heavily cuffed pants. T
This one seems to be gradually fading. Thank god. All that fabric stacked at the ankle can look great on someone with legs for days. On those of us who weren’t blessed with long legs, it just shortens everything further. I’ll take a clean hem or a proper crop, thank you.
Skirts and dresses that look like underwear.
Slips-as-dresses, barely-there minis, anything that looks like it wandered out of a lingerie drawer by mistake. Adorable on the 20-something crowd. Not my chapter, and I’m perfectly at peace with that.
The Real Point
None of this is really about trends at all, is it? It’s about knowing your own silhouette, your own coloring, your own life, well enough that you can look at what’s “in” and sort it instantly into yes and not for me, without a moment of insecurity about the no pile. That’s the whole idea behind the Collected Look. You’re not chasing every season, you’re adding, slowly and deliberately, to something that’s already yours. The moss green suede jacket earns its place because it works with what I have and how I live, not because a runway said so in February.
So that’s my list this year. A little moss, a little suede, the animal print I never really left, and a firm no to gold hoops, pencil skirts, and anything that belongs in a lingerie drawer. Be sure to click over to Susan at Une Femme d’un Certain Age and Jennifer at A Well Styled Life to see where they land on this season’s trends, I promise the three of us don’t agree on everything. What’s on your list?
Further Reading:
Who What Wear Fall Trends That are in and Out
Love these reminders. Thanks.
No’s for me,
Wide leg denim that is too stiff to drape
Ruffles and bows
Puddle-length pants that drag on the floor
Silk anything, except blouses
Anything seriously oversized
Hi Susan
Puddle length pants that drag..yikes another o my pet peeves. I am not a total fan of silk either it is so hard to take care of it…and almost all of the “silk” looking separates are now made of synthetics…a double no!!
Ladies,
As the daughter of a cowboy, and as a former English teacher, I must point out that “wrangling” is spelled with a “w”. Sorry, can’t help myself !
Oh shoot did I do that? I did! Thanks for the correction. I know better as well.
Cindy In the 50s in sewing classes in high school we had to learn to make pencil skirts with a zipper and waistband with a small ‘kick’ pleat in the back. The pattern called for a yard of fabric. I made several! Girls were not allowed to wear pants to school then so the Winter outfit was a twin set and a pencil skirt with flats. The summer outfit was a pencil skirt in a light fabric or a full skirt with a blouse with a short sleeve and a crew neck..also made in class. These skirts were torture! to wear and did curb movement. That was the style and totally impractical but mimicked the Vogue pages of good dressing for young ladies somehow in the minds of the school administrators and modest. This was the era of fathers in long shirts with cufflinks and ties at work that were ironed diligently by Betty Crocker inspired housewives. I love the olive pieces and touches of animal print you have shown and glad we are in easy clothing these days.
Hi Donnie
I believe you are speaking of Home Ec class! I was not a stellar student. We could not wear pants until I was a senior in high school. I remember those days. I made what they called a tent dress in class and we had to wear it to school. With my sewing skills, that was embarassing!
I love that you stay true to yourself! We should all do that. I do the opposite from you when it comes to jewelry. I do not like silver on my warm-colored self. Gold is my cup of tea. I do like pencil skirts on my about to turn 72 year old self. However, all of my pencil skirts are stretchy, with “yoga” waist bands. I find them very flattering and easy to move in. I like skirt of all sorts. Well, one exception: I don’t do mini skirts or dresses anymore. I know that many believe that there should be no such thing as dressing age appropriately, but I think that some fashions really are only for the young. I will not expose my stomach, and I dislike “pinafore” dresses and tops. I think that some fashions just look silly and juvenile on grown women, but to each her own!
Hi Kathy
My daughter looks beautiful in gold with her coloring and would not wear silver either. I bet you look gorgeous in your pencil skirts. I have big thighs so pencil skirts were never my jam even when young. I believe as you do that some styles look better on the young, but I always say where what you love.
Dear Cindy, I’m with you 100 percent on everything! I just picked up two moss colored pieces – a top and pair of linen wide leg pants. Love how they work with brown suede/leather accessories.
I have a similar black poncho that I recently wore on the plane for a trip to Atlanta. So many compliments – jazzes up jeans! Definitely no ruffles, bows, or lingerie looking dresses!
Great post and I’m still focusing on what I haven’t earned yet! Anna in Arizona.
I have coveted your green Moroccan Vintage Tamegroute candle holders as pictured in your July 16th blog.
They are beautiful! What size are the candlesticks as pictured on your table?
XSmall = 2.75″-4″ (H)
Small = 5″ (H)
Med.= 8″ (H)
Large = 12″-14″ (H)
Hi Marilyn
I am not home now will return late Saturday. I can get an exact measurement then. Those candles are old ones I dug out of my drawer. If I were to guess I would say they are the medium size. I am happy to measure when I get back! I purchased them locally from Atrium Mercantile. You could call them. I am sure they know!
If you would measure, that would be great – no hurry at all. Your link in the blog sent me to Etsy, but they have several sizes. I will also try Atrium in the meantime.
I am sure they will know and they will be happy to send them to you as well. I love those candlesticks!
Hello! This is a question about your blog on July 16th:
What size are your green Moroccan Vintage Tamegroute candle holders?
They are offered in Xsmall = (2.75″ – 4″ tall) small =(5″ tall) medium =(8″ tall) large = (12″-14″ tall)
They are beautiful!
Great post Cindy. I love you in those greens too. I’m with you on the lingerie looks. Not for me and never has been.
I’m with you, I am only looking for interesting and comfortable clothing. If I don’t buy anything that’s ok too.
I am interested in seeing the Zebra you are coveting, there isn’t anything to click so that I can see it.
Thank you for another great post !
Hi Beth
Here is the link. I linked it in the post as well. It’s pricey but so good https://go.shopmy.us/p-87208533. It is a woman owned company in Orinda, CA. I have three of her bags and I love all of them. Her crossbody sling is great in leopard as well. She was kind enough to gift me a couple.
PS
Kim and I are doing what we are coveting for fall next week. This week I am in Walnut Creek so will be checking things out.
I’m drooling over the Ralph Lauren serape jacket! I’ll “rangle” me one, one of these days! I can see you walking Scout in a pencil skirt or lingerie dress!
Hi Becky
They turn up on occasion (I got mine much more reasonablly than I am seeing them now) I remember drooling over his “Country” collection as a young mom and shopping Loehman’s and Marshalls for treasures.
Oh my goodness – do I miss Loehmann’s. We moved near one when I was a junior in high school (before the chain had expanded and gotten popular) – and I found the coolest bargains there. They carried true designer clothes – not down label or knockoffs – at amazing prices in those days. Continued to shop there until they closed – we got many off my daughter’s formal dresses in high school and college there. What a treasure Loehmann’s was!
P.S
Aren’t those dresses so silly?
I love all the warm greens and fall colors. You show some great pieces. And I wish I could wear silver jewelry; it looks so perfect on you, but doesn’t agree with my warm colors. Thanks for another terrific post!
Hi Marci
I do too. I look awful in brown (even though I wear it on occassion), but I love chartreuse, olive and purple together.
I want a suede jacket that isn’t too expensive. I have been looking at a sezanne Wills suede jacket in camel. I nave never ordered from sezanne The jacket looks pretty timeless and since I am 80 I need that! I am 5’7. What do you think
Hi Darlene
I am on the hunt for a suede jacket too. I know Annie loves the Will jacket. I think it is timeless.
Hi Cindy, you look amazing in that moss green! Love it! And I agree with your “skip it” list.
Susan you won’t be wearing any lingerie on your next Paris trip?
Well said and wow you look good in the greens.
Hi Prue
How is the recovery coming? That pic of you on crutches staring at the sea…I know an for active person like you, it must be hard being patient!!