Fall's Most-Anticipated Trends, From Boho to Funnel Necks
It's hard to believe that fall is just around the corner. Alas, there's no denying the end of summer any longer. It can't last forever (no matter how much we will it to). Fortunately, fashion people have a lot to look forward to as we approach the industry's unofficial favorite season, full of strategic layering, do-it-all outerwear, and footwear that doesn't leave your feet at the whim of the elements. (New Yorkers, you get it.) And with the F/W 24 collections being what they were—a master class in combining classic elegance with standout personal style—there's really no reason we shouldn't get ahead of things and focus all our attention on autumn, even if it is still 90ºF out.
As we approach the end of 2024, expect to find a mix of fresh trends to shake up your wardrobes and timeless elements that can act as the backbone of your 2025 repertoire. Think a return to boho brought on by Chemena Kamali's now-viral debut collection for Chloé; interesting takes on technical, sporty outerwear from Prada and Tory Burch; and classy pieces in fabrics like heavy satin, silk, velvet, and calf hair that give a definite swan-like effect to any outfit. What I mean to say is that there's a little something for everyone coming to stores (and streets) near you in a just few weeks' time. If I were you, I'd start preparing now.
Scroll down to peruse the seven trends we're predicting will make the biggest splashes come fall 2024.
The biggest and arguably most unexpected trend to take over the scene this year is boho, with the charge led single-handedly by Chemena Kamali, Chloé's new creative director. Digging deep into the roots of the brand—fun fact: she's worked there now three times, first as a junior designer in the '90s and then again under Clare Waight Keller—she did for F/W 24 what so many designers have tried and failed to do, which is make boho feel modern and elevated. Now, every celebrity stylist is trying to get their hands on her pieces, with celebs like Daisy Edgar-Jones and Sydney Sweeney making them the hottest wardrobe items in town.
It hasn't taken long, either, for other brands to catch on. Reformation, H&M, and Mango, in particular, have all recently dropped bohemian-influenced collections, all of which are selling out just as quickly as Kamali's pieces for Chloé.
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Whereas the bohemian look is far more casual and effortless, the absolute air of elegance that's also already starting to dominate the fashion space for fall is significantly more intentional and thoughtful. It's all about adding the finishing touches that make an outfit look immaculate from every angle. Think a satin opera glove, a gorgeous shoe that'll go from your apartment to a car to an event before going right back into its designated dust bag, and an A-line dress that's guaranteed to win you compliments no matter what sort of function you wear it to. Perfected by the likes of Prada, Carven, Alaïa, Saint Laurent, and Liberowe, this trend is the way to go if you're ready to put in the work to be the best dressed person everywhere you go.
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If being swaddled is something you've missed from your infant days, prepare to be in heaven this fall when all the wrapped-up, cape-like pieces from the season's collections arrive in stores. Hell, they already are, with pieces by Proenza Schouler, Prada, The Row, and more already available for purchase ahead of autumn. If you don't want to splurge, though, Zara, COS, and Massimo Dutti have you covered, or for an even more affordable way in, just get crafty with one of your larger blanket scarves. The possibilities are endless, but the outcome is always impossibly chic (not to mention comfy).
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With fashion month coming around yet again, one accessory is predicted to dominate more than any other, and before you ask, no, it's not a bag or pair of shoes. Rather, hats will be atop all of the chicest attendees' heads, from pillbox hats reminiscent of Jackie Onassis to driver styles and cool, structured beanies. We've seen them for a few seasons at Alaïa and The Row, but more brands are catching on, with Prada, Altuzarra, and more joining the craze as we head into fall.
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As we transition from summer into fall, expect to see practicality play a big role in the wardrobe choices of chic dressers who prioritize effortless styling and clothing that works for them. This switch in mentality can best be seen in all the sporty, technical outerwear pieces that are trending for cooler weather situations, with Tory Burch, Proenza Schouler, The Row, and more brands really leaning into utility for fall, but doing it in a way that still looks cool and elevated when styled correctly. Think a nylon anorak paired with matching silk trousers or a black drawstring zip-up jacket with capri pants and kitten heels.
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These days, I almost never see an Instagram post or runway look that doesn't include at least one oversize cuff bracelet, either in gold or silver metal or some sort of clear, colored acetate. They've become ubiquitous yet still add a level of freshness to every outfit that's led me to believe that cuffs will soon level up past their current trendy status and into a classic, seasonless jewelry staple.
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When it comes to outerwear, Phoebe Philo had it spot-on when she added funnel-neck details to a number of jackets and coats for her namesake luxury label. Suffice it to say that the trend caught on, and as we approach chillier weather, it's become clear that funnel-neck outerwear will reign supreme, both on the designer side and the more affordable one. In addition to Philo, the trend appeared at Proenza Schouler, Chloé, and more, while Banana Republic, COS, and The Frankie Shop are also adding similar styles into their offerings for autumn.
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Eliza Huber is a New York City–based fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and celebrity style. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 after almost four years on the fashion editorial team at Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a marketing degree from the University of Iowa. She has since launched two monthly columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled the likes of Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, and Sabrina Carpenter for WWW's monthly cover features; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top trends from fashion month, season after season. Eliza now lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, running in Central Park, and scouring eBay for '90s Prada and '80s Yves Saint Laurent.
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