If summer is for showing off how great you look without much clothing, fall is for demonstrating what you can do with your wardrobe. It's time to burrow into your oversized fuzzy sweaters and wear the same pair of blue jeans Monday through Friday. Fall fashion means figuring out how to layer without looking like an overstuffed penguin and revisiting your favorite transitional-weather gear, from chunky ankle boots to classic trench coats. Ahead, we'll show you how to easily recreate street-style stars' and stylists' fall outfits with minimal effort.
Entrench It In
We all know and love a great trench coat for fall. For a fresh take in 2023, opt for a leather version paired with low-rise denim. The edgy look is cool-girl-approved by Doja Cat, who wore the outfit in her “Attention” music video, plus celebrity stylist Aisha Rae. “My go-to fall outfit is an oversized leather trench jacket, white ribbed tank, and flare low-rise denim or oversized baggy vintage denim with a leather boot or pointy heel,” she says.
Lavish in Luxury
In 2023, we’ve seen a shift away from trendy, of-the-moment pieces to quality closet staples, or what the fashion world has dubbed “quiet luxury” dressing. While it’s not so much a trend but rather a style aesthetic, the allure of quiet luxury is that it’s steeped in timeless pieces that can be worn year after year. For a fall look, Rae says to think of muted tones, tailored slacks, crisp white button-ups, trench coats, and loafers, and ballet flats.
Layer It On
Fall weather is notoriously unpredictable. One minute, it’s nice and cool, and the next, it’s hot and stuffy. That’s why the art of layering is essential in your fall outfits, says Stitch Fix stylist Gillian McHattie. “To ensure you’re prepared for unexpected temperature swings, I suggest investing in a light outer layer, like a denim jacket that can be worn for extra warmth over your look,” she says.
Sweater Dress It Up
A failsafe fall outfit is also the easiest: a sweater dress and knee-high boots. Sweater dresses are warm, stylish, and easy to accessorize. All you need is a neutral pair of knee-high boots and your favorite jewelry for this combo. Knee-high boots also work with a knitted mini dress, but when the temps start to dip, the best practice is usually the lower the hemline, the better.
Suit Up
Find a good pantsuit set, and you're ready for any work event or fancy dinner party. The two-piece look is so easy to wear (I like to layer a crop top or tee underneath), and you can rock it with sneakers, mule pumps, boots, or flats. Best of all, you can wear the coordinates separately or together, like this Fashion Week attendee did.
Polished for the Office
A fall outfit for the office doesn’t need to be complicated. McHattie’s go-to office look is easy to replicate. She recommends, “Reach for your favorite pair of denim, add a lightweight knit sweater in an eye-catching color on top, and finish off the ensemble with an oversized blazer for a complete look that’s perfect for the office.”
Play With Proportions
A trend Stitch Fix has dubbed Proportion Play is one we anticipate to be huge this fall,” says McHattie. “This trend is all about embracing oversized, voluminous silhouettes that can be paired with more fitted items to balance the proportions.” We recommend taking after style star Emili Sindlev and going with a giant blazer and fitted skirt. On the flip side, a voluminous skirt and teeny tiny top would work just as well.
Embrace Apple Girl Autumn
Thanks to the runways of fall 2023, we’re seeing the fashion equivalent of TikTok’s “strawberry girl summer” this fall, dubbed “apple girl autumn” by Stitch Fix. Mchattie explains, “Apple girl autumn will be marked with pops of red sprinkled throughout people’s wardrobes in a variety of traditional fall textures.” To embrace the trend, add some candy red to your look in the form of hosiery as this fashion week did, or go with a red handbag or shoes.
Slip On a Slip
Slip dresses are the ultimate seasonless outfit. Wear them alone during the spring and summer, then come fall and winter, go crazy with layering. Opt for a thin turtleneck underneath and a trench coat, or we especially love Pernille Teisbaeck's grungy leather jacket and moto boots combo.
Double the Denim
We all thought Britney and JT's denim was a bit too much in 2001, but now an all-denim look is the way to go. It's effortlessly cool and so easy to put together. Just pair your favorite jean jacket or shirt with some slouchy jeans, and you're good to go. You can even throw on a long denim skirt for a look mainly of the moment.
Wear a Dress Over Jeans
My favorite fall combination is a dress over jeans because I'm not a fan of tights. (They always rip!) This simple combination ensures you can wear your Free People summer dress and fall jeans without picking favorites. Regarding what kind of denim you should wear underneath, go for a straight or slim fit with a cropped or cuffed hem for extra style points.
Think Wide
Year after year, we’re seeing denim trends move in favor of wider-legged styles. McHattie says Stich Fix sales on wide-leg pants have doubled this year, so now’s as good a time to try the style as any. “My favorite way to style loose denim or trousers is with a fitted bodysuit or a boxy cropped tee,” McHattie adds.
Go Grunge
Remember when we all wore too much eyeliner, Hot Topic was our stomping grounds at the mall, and Avril Lavigne was our style icon? Well, Rae says that aesthetic is making the rounds in the fall outfits of Gen-Zers, and we’re here for it. “Mini plaid tennis skirts, chunky black studded belts with silver chains, oversized wide-leg trousers, and band t-shirts we’ll be seeing trending this fall.“
Break Out Your Summer Skirt
Pause! Don't pack away your summer skirts yet. You can rework them for fall in several different ways: 1. Find a sweater thin enough to tuck into your skirt, 2. Wear a pair of tights underneath your skirt, 3. Style with the ankle or knee-high boots of your choice. Top with your favorite transitional jacket, and voilà! Your skirt is now ready for #OOTD photos at the pumpkin patch.
Add a Pop of Barbie Pink
Fall color trends for 2023 point to neutrals like muted grey and caramel brown, but that's not to say Barbiecore hot pink won't be sticking around for the season. "We will be seeing the color pink more this fall after the hit movie "Barbie" with all the Barbie brand deals and partnerships from this summer," says Rae. "Pops of pink will be everywhere!" With an outfit full of neutral tones, add some color with a hot pink bag or shoes.
Get Matchy Matchy
Matching sets are the holy grail for lazy dressers since they require zero thought. Just throw on the top and matching bottoms, and you're ready. For chillier temps, go with pants and a blazer, or when the weather teeters back to warm (as it often does in the fall), opt for a matching skirt set. It doesn't get easier than a matching set.
Accessorize a Jumpsuit
Just like dresses, jumpsuits are a one-and-done outfit. You just have to throw it on, and you're ready to go out the door. It also couldn't be easier to elevate a jumpsuit—throw on your favorite boots and belts and top it all off with a structured bag, and you've got a trendy outfit with minimal effort.
Go All Black
When in doubt, go all black. No matter the season, black is undoubtedly chic (although we may not recommend dressing head-to-toe black on a hot, sunny day). To make your look more attractive, mix up your textures on top and bottom, such as a furry coat worn with subtly-striped trousers.
Make It Sporty
Don't be afraid of turning your athleisure into a bonafide style moment. I promise you can be comfy and stylish at the same time. Just throw on your favorite track pants and add a chic blazer. The outfit combo may be unexpected, but it's still so cool.
Wear Your Button-Down With a Sequin Skirt
Give your beloved button-down shirt a new life on the weekend with a shimmery skirt like this sequin number. You'll look instantly dressy for whatever going-out plans you have. If your office dress code is more lax, you might even be able to get away with this look come Monday morning.
