Every season brings with it a slew of trends. Some will entice you, while others will leave you scratching your head. Some you know are just made for the celebrity set and will never find a place in your closet, while others are more appropriate for your own life. It’s all about finding the right balance and choosing pieces that complement the classics in your existing wardrobe, from the reliable women’s dresses and jeans to the crisp button-fronts and sweaters.
Fortunately, the trends that emerged from the fall 2020 runways were definitely more wearable and approachable than usual — and easily some of the most exciting styles to shake up women’s fashion in a while. The beauty of these pieces is that they’re also relatively easy to wear in some form or another. You have options aplenty, whether you’re all about cozy comfort or have a thing for fuss-free corporate style. Here are four of the biggest fall 2020 trends to keep your eye on throughout the season.
It seems that, year after year, without fail, the jewel tone emerges as a seasonal favorite. While that makes it more of a reliable staple than a trend, this season finds the palette a little richer and more diverse. In previous years, you may have reached for your trusty ruby cashmere turtleneck to wear to the office with your wide-leg black pants. That’s still the perfect choice for a crisp day.
But as trends go, new color options expand the fashion landscape for you just enough to keep things fun and interesting during the season. Skip the usual shade of warm mustard and opt for a flashy citrine instead. Nix the emerald in favor of jade. Try a little amethyst for a brazen take on regal-friendly style. The beauty of these colors is that they all look amazing with different neutrals in your closet, from blacks to browns to grays. Have fun mixing and matching to create new looks for every day of the week.
Leather is an inimitable wardrobe favorite all over the world. While the material alone isn’t so much trendy as it is traditional, the fall interpretation breathes new life into the look and gives it an edgy makeover. So now, instead of that tried-and-true leather overcoat you grab when you want to add something refined to your outfit, you might throw on a colorful leather jacket instead. Yep — colored leather is everything right now, whether you’re eyeing a new winter coat or are more interested in accessories.
Since there’s definitely something to the old adage about less being more, that’s something to think about if you aren’t entirely sure about this whole bright leather thing. Don’t want to step out in a bright blue leather coat? No worries. An accent of some kind is the perfect alternative during these cooler months. Slip on a bright purple, green, or red leather belt over your corporate-friendly dress for a day at the office, or sling on a colorful leather hobo or crossbody.
Who’s the boss? That would be you when you arrive at the office — or do your thing from your home workspace — in some seriously polished attire. Don’t think of it as stuffy and unapproachable, however. The runways showed that it’s entirely possible to look the part without sacrificing your sense of style. Have some fun with it. Throw on a bright suit, for example, or swap your usual staid knit dresses for something unexpected, like a jumpsuit with wide legs or a fit-and-flare midi skirt and a chic blouse.
The goal here is to introduce a fashionable element to the mix. It’s easy to bring it all together when you focus on one key concept instead of spreading yourself too thin. So if you’re all about mixing silhouettes, focus on bringing balance by wearing a wide-leg bottom with a sleek and fitted top. If you love vibrant hues, make sure to add something subdued to bring it down to earth and make it more of a work-friendly ensemble. Don’t be afraid to step back in time, either; ’80s-influenced shoulder pads and ’90s-worthy cropped jackets are absolutely on the table if you’re feeling a little nostalgic.
Metallic colors can be tricky to pull off unless you’re headed to a party or dressing for a special occasion of some kind. Otherwise, well, you’re typically relegated to your usual pair of reliable earrings or the simple necklace you never take off. All good stuff, but if you want to expand your horizons, adding something flashier to your wardrobe this fall is a great way to get on board with the trend. The trick is to keep it simple during the day — something like a classic women’s blouse with faint gold or silver pinstripes will do the job.
Evening, however, offers you an opportunity to elevate the glam factor and have some fun with your look. Sunset is a great time to break out the pieces you typically reserve for date nights and evenings with your friends. The brazen metallic booties? The sequined dress? The show-stopping tank top? All perfect candidates to make the most of this show-stopping trend.
No matter what you choose, it’s easy to find looks that work for you in this mix. And because these trends have the potential to last, you can count on wearing them well into the future.