10 Fall Fashion Trends Worth Buying Beauty & Style

10 Fall Trends Worth the Purchase

Stock up on these must-have items in new colors shapes and textures

Let's be honest: Who browses sweaters and coats in September? When fall fashion trends popped online we were still sashaying around in mules and T-shirts. We oohed and aahed at the new arrivals but didn't buy — which was a good thing. It gave us time to dismiss the impractical (tiny top-handle bags, maxi coats), the retro (square-toe boots, padded hairbands), the unflattering (plaid pants, oversized boxy blazers) and the ugly (lug sole lace-up boots, bucket hats). What's left? These 10 trends, guaranteed to shakeup your looks, life and closet with no regrets or returns: of Who What Wear Women's Quilted Satin jacket, Universal Thread Bucket Hobo handbag, Old Navy Sweater-Knit Mock-Neck Tunic Sweatshirt, A New Day Two Layer Satchel Handbag, Eloquii Easy V Neck Tunic, H&M Dress with Tie Belt, H&M Ribbed Turtleneck Sweater 1. Anything olive green. The big sleeper hit of the season is olive, followed by moss, khaki, hunter and pine. Grounded greens like these give updated basics such as quilted jackets, ribbed sweaters, hobo bags, midi shirtdresses and cargo pants a contemporary urban-warrior vibe and mix easily with black, navy, brown, beige, camel or white clothes. Think green isn't your best color? It's a common worry for mature skin that's a bit sallow since green worn near the face does cancel out red tones. The easy fix to keep that fresh, healthy glow? Add a rosy cream blush and enjoy your new hue. of Gabrielle Union Collection Black Sweater Skirt for New York & Company, A New Day Women's Rib Sweater Skirt, H&M Pleated Skirt, A New Day Women's Plus-Size Midi Rib Knit Sweater Skirt, Zara Pleated Skirt 2. A midi pull-on skirt. Because you can't live in leggings 24/7, an elastic waist skirt is the next best thing for winter. Look for two distinct but polished styles — a pull-on knit pencil to just below the knee and a mid-calf pleated style with swingy A-line volume. Pair slim pencils like A New Day Women's Plus-Size Midi Rib Sweater Skirt ($30 target.com) or Gabrielle Union Collection Black Sweater Skirt for New York & Company ($60, nyandcompany.com) with trim ankle booties and longer pleated styles like the H&M Pleated Skirt ($50, hm.com/us) or Zara Pleated Skirt ($40, zara.com/us) with knee-high equestrian-style boots or a slouchy pair in suede. of Prologue Women's Women's Plus-Size, Old Navy Slouchy Textured Sweater for Women in Rust, H&M Knit Turtleneck Sweater 3. A big slouchy sweater. Elongated sweaters with body flattering contemporary details like hi-lo hems, side slits, three-quarter sleeves and dropped shoulders provide style and warmth without bulk. Look for a relaxed easy fit that floats over curves rather than an extreme oversized style that totally hides your shape. Turtlenecks like the Old Navy Slouchy Turtleneck Sweater for Women in Rust ($45, oldnavy.com), H&M Knit Turtleneck Sweater ($35, hm.com/us) and Prologue Women's Plus-Size 3/4-Sleeve Turtleneck Pullover Sweater ($35, target.com) are the trendiest and coziest and eliminate the need to sling on scarves. of Gap Teddy Coat in Holiday Cocoa Brown, A New Day Women's Teddy Coat, Zara Long Faux Fur Coat 4. A cuddly coat. Confess now: Your black leather biker jacket is very cool, but when the temperature drops it is downright cold. New hybrids with the plush comfort of fleece-y, fuzzy pile fabric and the sharp tailoring of a notch-collar topcoat offer an alternative to the puffer. Choose a soft honey or warm brown like the Gap Teddy Coat in Holiday Cocoa Brown ($148, gap.com), Zara Long Faux Fur Coat ($149, zara.com/us) or A New Day Women's Teddy Coat ($50 target.com) to keep the effect classy, not kindergarten. of (Clockwise from top left) Keds Double Decker Suede Faux Shearling CX, Aerosoles Martha Stewart Frances in Black Suede, Blondo Gia Waterproof in Black Suede, Old Navy Faux Fur Lined Driving Moccasins, New Day Women's Kasia Microsuede Faux (center) 5. Faux fur lined shoes and sneakers. If you're hooked on Uggs and crave their toasty hug on cold days, this trend is for you. While furry lined snow boots have been around for years, everyday shoes are now getting in on the act, like A New Day Women's Kasia Microsuede Faux Fur Lined Slip-On Leopard Print Ballet Flats in Brown ($28, target.com), Aerosols Martha Stewart Frances Suede Loafers in Black ($99, zappos.com) and Old Navy Faux Fur Lined Driving Moccasins for Women in Black ($27, oldnavy.com). Even sneakers like the Keds Double Decker Suede Faux Shearling CX ($60, zappos.com) and Blondo Gia Waterproof in Black Suede ($82, zappos.com) feel like slippers and make going sockless in winter a small secret pleasure. Jump in! of ADVERTISEMENT of Prologue Women's Long Sleeve Crewneck Sweater Dress, Gap Pointelle Crewneck Sweater Dress, Eloquii Honeycomb Turtleneck Sweater Dress 6. A sweater dress. Next best thing to wearing your pajamas all day? A knit dress over tights. Every woman can wear these with the right underpinnings such as a good support bra and some shapewear biker shorts for total confidence. Look for a relaxed body-skimming style like Gap Pointelle Crewneck Sweater Dress ($90, gap.com), Prologue Women's Long Sleeve Crewneck Sweater Dress in Gray ($40 target.com) or Eloquii Honeycomb Turtleneck Sweater Dress ($100, eloquii.com) and try going up a size to get the ease that makes a sweater dress work — skintight is not the way to go here. Pair it with a long cardigan for a monochromatic, soft “suit” effect. of Ava & Viv Women's Plus-Size Long Sleeve Turtleneck Sweatshirt, Zara Balloon Sleeve Sweatshirt, Loft Plus Tie-Hem Sweatshirt in Olive 7. A polished sweatshirt. No slogans, universities, emblems, cartoon characters, rock bands. No leftovers from the gym, your ex or college. No giant bulky, sloppy, hiding-my-10-extra-pounds styles either. The newest breed of sweatshirts, such as Loft Plus Tie-Hem Sweatshirt ($60, loft.com), Zara Balloon Sleeve Sweatshirt ($20, zara.com/us) and Ava & Viv Women's Plus-Size Long Sleeve Turtleneck Sweatshirt ($30, target.com), have the elegance of a cashmere sweater, refined lines and come in rich neutrals like camel, black, gray and color-of-the-minute olive. Pair a sweatshirt with serious tailored ankle pants for work or with a metallic or tiered skirt for evening. of H&M Crocodile-pattern Pencil Skirt, A New Day Woman's Hi-Rise A-Line Faux Leather Skirt, Lane Bryant Faux Leather Wide Leg Crop with Button Waist, Prologue Women's Regular Fit Mid-Rise Wide Leg Pants in Olive, H&M A-Line Skirt 8. Leather tailored clothes. If you own a leather biker jacket (and you probably do), why stop there? Faux leather in smooth and embossed textures is making tailored skirts, pants, tops and dresses edgy. Stick to neutrals in clean minimalist shapes — no studs, zippers or chains — and sneak in some attitude while you update for the season. A refined skirt like the H&M Crocodile-Pattern Pencil Skirt ($50, hm.com/us), H&M A-Line Skirt ($30, hm.com/us) or A New Day Woman's High-Rise A-Line Faux Leather Skirt ($25, target.com) will be wearable year-round. If you choose leather pants like the Lane Bryant Faux Leather Wide Leg Crop With Button Waist ($70, lanebryant.com) or Prologue Women's Regular Fit Mid-Rise Wide Leg Pants ($33, target.com), be sure they feel snug not baggy at the seat — leather stretches here so consider sizing down for once. of A New Day Women's Plus Size Wide Leg Cropped Corduroy Pants, A New Day Women's High Rise Wide Leg Cropped Corduroy Pants in Cream, Gap High Rise Mariner Wide Leg Cords 9. Cropped corduroy pants. Like comfort food for the body, soft cropped cords check all the boxes for fit and comfort. Choose a wide leg style that sits at your natural waist, like Gap High Rise Mariner Wide Leg Cords ($70, gap.com) or A New Day Women's High-Rise Wide Leg Cropped Corduroy Pants in Cream ($28, target.com). While these cords will work easily with most things in your closet, try wearing them monochromatically with a matching top for the most impact when you don't want to look too casual, or “framing” them with a black blazer and black booties for a sharp but stylish look. of Zara Mid-Height Heeled Leather Boots, Universal Thread Women's Hilda Microsuede Scrunch Booties, Dr. Scholl's No Problem 10. Slouchy suede boots. Booties and ankle boots aside, warm fashionable tall boots in a slouchy or roomy style are a perfect solution for full calves or wide ankles, legs that tend to swell by afternoon or those who like the look of a tall boot but hate the compression. Soft suede knee-high boots like Universal Thread Women's Hilda Microsuede Scrunch Booties ($40, target.com), Zara Mid-Height Heeled Leather Boots ($169, zara.com/us) and Dr. Scholl's No Problem ($120, zappos.com) have a looser fit. They work well with midi skirts and dresses and slip easily over leggings or tights. Choose a shade of gray, soft brown, camel or taupe to play up the slouch. Snap them up before your size sells out. For more beauty and style tips for women age 50-plus, check out The Makeup Wakeup: Revitalizing Your Look at Any Age by Lois Joy Johnson and Sandy Linter.

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