Summer focused on romanticizing the past, taking a more literal approach to late 90s and early 2000s trends with girly rosettes, sheer slip dresses, and Y2K metallics. As fashion transitions into fall, we’ll still be giving a nod to nostalgia, but in a more subtle way. For the new season, it’s not about revisiting the past; it’s about reinventing the past. Brands and designers– from runway to streetwear– are bringing the past into the present by modernizing classic styles and making them feel refreshed with new colors and updated details. Take for example the Saint Laurent Fall 2023 Ready-To-Wear show. Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello tapped into the 80s corporate culture trend with chic business looks. Rather than mimic tailored fits from the past, Saint Laurent put a unique spin to the suiting staples, opting for oversized jackets that had a sharpness to the cuts for a modern elegance. It really captured “80s power dressing but make it 2023” chic. In the sneaker world, Aimé Leon Dore once again is bringing back an archival New Balance sneaker into the current culture conversation with its recent collaboration with the T500 model. The sneaker was originally released in the 1980s as a performance tennis shoe, but Aimé Leon Dore is updating minor details to make it feel current again, including a vintage cream finish and red, blue, or green branded colorways. It’s this balance between original elements with fresh updates that defines the modern nostalgia trend for fall.
Aimé Leon Dore / New Balance T500 (Photo: @aimeleondore)
Saint Laurent Fall 2023 (Photo: Vogue Runway)
Bottega Veneta Fall 2023 (Photo: Vogue Runway)
Quiet Luxury was another popular theme from summer, but in my personal opinion it’s time we give the overused word a break and replace it with Everyday Elegance for the new season. It’s still about focusing on pared-back, sophisticated basics from Quiet Luxury, but adding in those fun, cool details that make your look elevated yet still wearable and accessible for everyday. Instead of looking like a member of the Roy family from Succession, Everyday Elegance gives you sophistication without the stand-offiness. It’s balancing forever style with of-the-moment playfulness. A perfect example of this trend is Bottega Veneta’s looks at their Fall 2023 Ready-To-Wear show. The final look featured everyday blue jeans, a white tank top, and a shirt tied around the waist for a modern minimalist vibe. However, at a closer look the simple blue jeans were actually crafted from wafer-thin leather, giving the relatable denim staple an elegant spin.
So it’s time to hit that reset button and start preparing for your fall wardrobe upgrade. Here are the top 5 trends for fall, including favorite picks from StockX to help you achieve the look.
For someone who wears all-black outfits and leather regardless of the season, I didn’t think the day would come when I would be adding sweater vests and pleated skirts to my shopping cart. But that moment has officially arrived. The Tenniscore aesthetic (and admittedly CELINE’s tennis collection) from summer ignited my love for country club chic and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. To give this core aesthetic a fall makeover, focus on mixing in preppy essentials with your everyday basics instead of going for a head-to-toe tennis uniform. It’s more about balancing that 90s Ralph Lauren vibe with modern day preppy basics that will make you look effortlessly classy. Think Princess Diana’s Harvard look or Sporty & Rich’s new Essentials LookBook. Both examples show that the key to this trend is having subtle hints of prep.
An essential to kick off your Fall Prep wardrobe is the adidas Originals x Sporty & Rich V-Neck Sweatshirt. I love how this sweater blends preppy elements seen in the v-neck detail with elevated athleisure. The three stripes on the sleeve cuffs and hem is a chic way to subtly incorporate adidas branding, as it feels purposeful within the design. Pair the preppy knitwear piece with your favorite pair of straight-cut denim and a classic sneaker and you’ll have just the right amount of prep in your step for fall.
Honestly, if I had to name one trend that will define the fall season, it most definitely would be the color red. I called it out in my Spring Trend Report and the color is still burning bright for fall. The fiery shade has been dominating more than just fashion, with music and beauty also obsessing over everything red hot. The beauty world has been giving us a lineup of trending looks– from “Tomato Girl” makeup on TikTok to Hailey Bieber’s viral strawberry makeup look. She even released a limited edition Rhode peptide lip treatment in “Strawberry Glaze” (and not to mention, wore a few iconic all red looks for the launch I’m still thinking about). While in music, Doja Cat has been telling us to “Paint the Town Red” and there’s no one taking that more literally than the fashion world. From red suiting at Ferragamo to monochromatic looks at Stella McCartney and bold coats and gloves at The Row, it seemed like every brand received the same red memo for their Fall 2023 runway shows. So safe to say, it’s time to set your shopping list ablaze with shades of fire.
The place to start? Accessories. Red is a very bold, head-turning color. It’s why it’s still a bit frowned upon to wear to a wedding as it’s so attention-grabbing. But with the right pops of red in your look, you can make a classy stylish statement. The accessory at the top of my list is from none other than my favorite brand: Jacquemus. The Jacquemus Le Bambino Long in red is a cheeky, girly choice to make your mark on the color trend. Le Bambino is an iconic staple in every Jacquemus collection, but with the added shine finish, the bag feels one-of-a-kind and refreshed for the new season. Pair this bag with a classic outfit– jeans, ballet flats, and a simple sweater– to really give the red its moment.
Shop the Trend:
When it comes to sneaker trends for fall, the focus is on skipping “wear-once” type of hype and opting for timeless classics with modern updates instead. It’s that nod to nostalgia that feels fresh and innovative for the current season. The best part is, there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to what style of sneakers to go for. There are a variety of brands that are bringing back iconic styles from past decades and reintroducing them with purposeful pre-aged designs and vintage details. The Jordan brand has even created an entire series for the aesthetic titled “Reimagined”, featuring iconic sneakers with original colorways but new retro-infused details.
A sneaker that hits the new-age vintage trend is the Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 1906R sneaker. Originally released in the early 2000s, the nostalgic running shoe style keeps the same silhouette as the classic, but Aimé Leon Dore reimagines it with vintage-inspired colorways and branded details. I love the jade and white colorway for fall, combining shades of earthy greens with a vintage cream mesh for a modern retro look. The ALD floral crest logo is displayed on the tongue, grounding the shoe in the current times.
Summer accessories were all about adding a sleek shine in the form of mirrored finishes and shimmery metallics. But for this season, we’re replacing sleek and shiny with rugged and distressed. Accessories are getting an edgy upgrade with hardcore hardware details. Think studs, buckles, and belts adorned on your favorite handbags and footwear staples. With distressed denim and leather trenches dominating the fall runways, it’s only right to pair these rebellious pieces with biker-inspired accessories.
One of my favorite styles I’ve come across from the fall collections (it’s already in my shopping cart) is the Givenchy Mini Voyou Bag In Leather Black. I seriously cannot stop thinking about this bag. It’s the perfect handbag to tap into the hardware trend but still looks timeless and forever Givenchy. The belts give the bag an elevated edginess while the two toned metal buckles are the epitome of cool-girl chic. I love the more structured hobo shape for a touch of Y2K shoulder bag nostalgia, while the tumbled leather gives the bag a “rough-around-the-edges” look to play into the moto-inspired aesthetic.
Just because fiery red and edgy buckles are having a major moment doesn’t mean there isn’t space for a more delicate and feminine trend to still cause commotion this season. Thanks to Miu Miu’s Fall 2023 collection and the ever-growing popularity of their branded ballet flats, Balletcore is rivaling Quiet Luxury as the most prominent aesthetic to come out of fashion week and TikTok. What I love about Balletcore is that the staples in this movement are timeless, elevating your everyday basics (hello Everyday Elegance) or adding a touch of sophistication to a nighttime look. This trend is defined by ballet flats obviously, but also soft ladylike details– including satin, pale pink, ruffles, full skirts, cashmere cardigans, and polka dots.
It’s only fitting to include the Miu Miu Ballerinas when talking about Balletcore. The brand did revive the entire trend and brought it into the mainstream afterall. While the satin pair are iconic, I’m gravitating more towards the black leather iteration for fall. Compared to the satin, the leather material makes these flats more wearable and versatile for everyday use. The best part is the flats have a rubber heel layer to protect the delicate shoe from any unexpected wear and tear throughout the day.
