How Early Is Too Early? 7 Fall Trends I'm Already Itching to Shop

Me? I'm a fall girl through and through. While summer dressing can certainly be fun (sheer pieces, jelly sandals, and crafty accessories were of a few of my favorites this year), I'd be lying if I said that I didn't look forward to fall shopping all summer long and, honestly, all year long. There's just something about fall shopping that feels magical. It brings me back to those back-to-school days when I would spend hours at the mall immersed in the new arrivals, curating new outfits to wear and cooking up a whole new personal style vibe for who I wanted to become.
This season, that means tapping into some of the most exciting new fall trends to hit the market, technical sportswear jackets, elegant slippers, and polished top-handle bags. The fall/winter 2025 runways seemed like arrived eons ago, but now that the season is creeping up, I've been revisiting the new collections and teeming with ideas on which top-level themes I want to buy into and sourcing the pieces I'll be doing them with. I've waited months to shop fall trends and I'm too eager to wait any longer—not even long enough for the temperates to drop. Ahead, I'm sharing the seven fall trends I'm most excited about and plan to shop before anyone else does.
Funnel Neck Jackets
Jackets have been veering sporty and technical all year long and they're showing no signs of slowing down as we move into the fall. In fact, I expect to only see more and more of these athletic and outdoor sports-inspired items like the funnel-neck anoraks that are everywhere at the moment. I've been eyeing one to add to my wardrobe and the arrival of fall is as good an occasion as any.
Dark-Rinse Denim
Nothing says fall like a fresh pair of jeans hitting your denim stack and next season, my full attention is geared towards dark rinses that look polished and put-together no matter what, specifically classic straight-leg and cigarette fits. Paired with a crisp white button-down and loafers? That's my idea of a perfect fall outfit.
Plaid Shirts
Animal prints like leopard and snake had their run, but I can say with confidence that plaid is set to be fall's It print without a doubt. Plaid shirts popped up on the runways at Calvin Klein, Kallmeyer, and TWP where they were tucked into tailored trousers or tied insouciantly around models' waists, a styling choice that fashion people are already adopting.
Luxe Slippers
There's just something utterly luxurious about a pair of velvet, satin, or suede smoking slippers, and as brands like The Row and Saint Laurent put their spin on the heritage shoe, it has us revisiting longtime labels such as Charvet who have been crafting their velvet slippers since 1838.
All Things Lace
Some trends are brand-new for fall while others are carryovers that are proving to be well worth their investments. Romantic lace and lace trimming are everywhere I look right now. All across the fall/winter 2025 runways, designers experimented with delicate fabric, deploying it as fluid sheer lace maxi dresses or using exacting measures to finish off slip skirts with a lace trim. I was hesitant to invest in the trend for summer for fear it would evaporate soon after Labor Day, but the runways have confirmed it and now I'm going all in on a few fall lace additions.
Top Handle Bags
The Row India Bag. The Hermès Bolide. Loewe Amazona. There's something happening with bags right now. They're all going ladylike, polished bowling bags with double top handles and a structured, diminutive body that fits right in the crook of your elbow.
Flare Trousers
A new season calls for new staples, and one such refresh is coming to my collection of black pants where flare and bootcut trousers are making a surprising entrance. Hailey Bieber, Alexa Chung, Laura Harrier—some of the chicest dressers in the celebrity world are styling flare and kick-flare pants with flats, slingback, and sandals and I'll be joining them.
Anna is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who has been a member of the Who What Wear team for over seven years, having begun her career in L.A. at brands like Michael Kors and A.L.C. As an editor, she has earned a reputation for her coverage of breaking trends, emerging brands, luxury shopping curations, fashion features, and more. Anna has penned a number Who What Wear cover interviews, including Megan Fox, Julia Garner, and Lilly Collins. She also leads the site’s emerging travel vertical that highlights all things travel and lifestyle through a fashion-person lens.
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