Fashion week season is over, just in time for the beginning of fall. Runways in major cities around the world have showcased thousands of new designs that have set the tone for this season of fashion. After assessing common trends and designs from the runways, the verdict is in: fall fashion trends this year present a wide range of styles, from preppy to grungy, and both combined. Designers went back to classics and featured staple materials. And if summer was all about showing as much skin as possible, this season represents a stark contrast – the longer the hemline, the bigger the jacket, the taller the boot, the better. 

All Over Outwear

If the runways made one thing clear, outwear is not just something you throw over your outfit on your way out the door – it is the focal point of fashion this fall. Don’t be afraid to play with unique patterns and styles, or stick with classics like oversized leather and bomber jackets. Add cashmere gloves and over-the-knee boots not only to stay warm but to stay on trend. 

Back to Basics

New coats are expensive, especially those big puffy ones. (Who has $300 to spend on an Aritzia puffer? I sure wish I did.) If you wanna be on-trend on a budget this fall, don’t worry. The runways decreed it: the classics are in. Something as simple as a white tank top and blue jeans is just as runway-forward as an elegant maxi. Dig out some basics like baggy denim and your grandpa’s old leather jacket. Bonus points if it’s oversized.

Make Sure It’s Maxi 

While I’m glad my basic blue jeans are in, I’m excited to try out some skirts. While summer was all about as much skin as possible, fall is the season of cozy jackets, changing leaves, and growing hemlines. While maxi pieces always end up falling around a mid-length on my legs, I’ll be adding some longer skirts and dresses to my closet this season. If you’ve been afraid to look overdressed or a bit too formal in something maxi, don’t be this fall.

Preppy… punk?

It’s hard to sum up one overarching style present on the runways between steampunk and business-casual preppy, and some designers chose to mesh the two. Runways featured a fashion-forward take on business wear, between miniskirts and vests, and some designers took those preppy classics and added grunge. You can split the two, but if you’re feeling daring, maybe try an unexpected combination this fall. Pull out your chunky belts from the 2000s and throw them over a pleated skirt with some loafers. And if the loafers have a platform, even better. Sounds unusual? Perfect. 

Lots of Leather

Gone are the days when leather was reserved for fancy coats and designer bags. Now, between pants, dresses, and accessories, if you can wear it, it can be leather. And leather is moving past the bounds of drab black and brown. You can find leather in just about any color in various stores right now, so get creative! A lavender leather blazer is not quite my style, but it is on trend.