Inspired by Dior, Prada, Michael Kors, and more.
Building an outfit is a skill not everyone possesses. And it extends far beyond shopping. An eye for great pieces is useless if you don’t know what to do with them once you return from the store.
That’s why stylists exist. For us common folk not regularly attending red carpet events and not blessed with a knack for fashion, there are a few options: stalk stylists like Katie Couric Media contributor Alison Bruhn on social media, invest in a style assessment, or study the runways. Or you could turn to a trusted source that does all of the above (and then some). That’s where we come in.
To keep you on trend, we keep a close eye on the runways, and the fall 2024 fashion shows were a masterclass.
High-fashion designers are a great source of inspiration — remember the cerulean monologue from The Devil Wears Prada? — but the outfits can be difficult (and extremely expensive) to recreate. Lucky for you, we’ve gotten pretty good at dissecting the latest designer trends and translating them into accessible options that won’t send you into credit card debt.
From Prada’s utilitarian jackets to Isabel Marant’s suede accessories, here are seven of our favorite fall fashion trends of 2024, all of which are surprisingly wearable.
How to Wear the Biggest Fall Fashion Trends of 2024
Barn Coats
Katie has been wearing barn coats from Barbour for years, proving that she’s way ahead of the trend cycle on this one. Instead of attempting to make the outfit topper feel funky or totally reinvented, Prada stayed true to the garment’s agrarian roots with its oversized, worn-in-appearing jackets. It’s all about styling: The rugged topper was juxtaposed against delicate, fringed frocks and pointed-toe pumps, inspiring us to layer it over slinky slip dresses or softer textures for a night-out look that’s unexpected and comfortable. A bonus? You can toss the jacket over a T-shirt and jeans, or anything really, and it’ll always look effortless while keeping you warm and dry.
Chunky Loafers
Want to literally take your look to the next level? Opt for a platform shoe to add an inch or two to your height. Katie’s on the petite side, so she loves wearing chunky loafers, as they’re more comfortable than heels but still give her some lift. At Proenza Schouler’s ready-to-wear show, models wore skin-tight leather stockings under clunky shoes, but we plan on pairing them with straight-leg pants that hit around the ankle, just like KC. Showing some skin, even if it’s just an inch or two of your ankle, helps break up a look.
Leopard Print
Seeing spots? Leopard print is back. We saw it in multiple shows this season, but our favorite was a glossy pea coat in the feline form at Christian Dior. While we believe the print is basically a neutral, we know it’s not for everyone. You can always start small by incorporating it into your outfit through an accessory, or you can copycat the runway with a statement-making coat.
Oversized Scarves
It is finally time for us to live out our Lenny Kravitz fashion fantasy, because giant scarves are in. Tommy Hilfiger, Alberta Ferretti, and more designers sent models down the runway swaddled in blanket-sized scarves, some made from chunky knits and others in furry mohair fabric. There’s no need to don a neck wrap that weighs 50 pounds to try this trend; just try something that has more heft than your average accessory.
Retro Sneakers
Everything old is new again, and this is especially true for sneakers. Various classics have come in and out of style, but the main shoe trend we’re seeing follows a very simple rule: if it would’ve looked cool in the ’70s, it’s definitely cool now. Just look at the velcro detail on the sneakers models wore at the Wales Bonner. The trend is already taking root in street style, and everyone seems to be obsessed with plimsolls and suede in various pops of color. There are also a couple of standout styles by Adidas that we’ve recently seen all over every metropolitan city: the Speziel and Gazelle.
Relaxed Suiting
CorpCore (short for corporate-core) strikes again. We’re seeing this trend embraced by not only designers but Gen Z as well. Think ’90s-era silhouettes, like loose trousers paired with long, boxy blazers. This time around, Gen Z is wearing them outside of the workplace, popularizing a casual, less serious aesthetic that can be donned both in and out of the office. The look isn’t sloppy; it’s just a play on proportions, as demonstrated at the Michael Kors Collection show. If you’re afraid of getting swallowed by wearing oversized everything, start with a wide-leg trouser offset by a more fitted top, and eventually you can work your way up to a matching blazer.
Bohemian Bags
Time to break out your vintage suede jacket and channel your inner Stevie Nicks, because Boho is back. Less groovy than previous iterations, styles this season leaned more chic and free-flowing than hippie. Chloe’s runway collection featured flowy dresses, peasant blouses, slouchy bags, chunky gold jewelry, and fur hats as the main accessories. You don’t have to do an entire closet overhaul to capture the essence of the 70s — simply adding a bohemian bag is the smart and easy way to invest in the trend. Plus, we’re sure you or a family member kept a few stand-out pieces from those days.
