Fall Fashion Trends You Won’t Regret

Wardrobe tweaks that’ll add pizzazz to your everyday look

Lois Joy Johnson,

AARP

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En español

Published September 07, 2023

Mango Pocket Tweed Jacket in Red; Zara Women Faux Leather Midi Skirt in Sand; Everlane The Italian Leather Day Glove in Black, Tan, Toasted Almond or Camel; Eloquii Faux Leather Peplum Puff Sleeve Top in Hot Fudge; Lauren Ralph Lauren High-Rise Flare Jeans in City Blue Wash

(Left to right) Zara Women Faux Leather Midi Skirt in Sand; Mango Pocket Tweed Jacket in Red; Everlane The Italian Leather Day Glove in Caramel; Eloquii Faux Leather Peplum Puff Sleeve Top in Hot Fudge; Lauren Ralph Lauren High-Rise Flare Jeans in City Blue Wash

Mango; Zara; Everlane; Eloquii; Macy's; Olga Sidelnikova/Getty Images

Here’s my advice about fashion trends: Take them with a grain of salt. I’m a fashion editor who is also a wardrobe consultant and personal shopper for women over 50. Each fall as the “trends” roll out, clients ask: “Are they kidding?!” Designers and retailers live in the fantasy world of fashion where silk slip dresses, power-shoulder suits and sleeveless winter sweaters reside, while grownup women live in the real world of everyday clothes. Except for a few fashionistas, most of us just want a few new items that’ll wake up our style taste buds without offending our bodies or common sense. Here are six practical trends you won’t return or regret.

& Other Stories Wrap Sweater in Ruby Red; J.Crew Emilie Patch-Pocket Sweater Lady Jacket in Stripe in Red Moroccan Sand; Mango Pocket Tweed Jacket in Red

(Left to right) & Other Stories Wrap Sweater in Ruby Red; J.Crew Emilie Patch-Pocket Sweater Lady Jacket in Stripe in Red Moroccan Sand; Mango Pocket Tweed Jacket in Red

& Other Stories; J.Crew; Mango

1. A red sweater or jacket

Though quiet neutrals like cream, brown, gray and camel are trending (see them below!), so are outspoken reds (as per runways at Prada, Yves Saint Laurent and Tory Burch). Though a black blazer is essential, a vibrant orange-y tomato, cool cherry or fire-engine scarlet jacket or sweater — like the Mango Pocket Tweed Jacket in Red ($130, mango.com/us), & Other Stories Wrap Sweater in Ruby Red ($69, stories.com/en_usd) and J.Crew Emilie Patch-Pocket Sweater Lady Jacket in Stripe in Red Moroccan Sand ($138, jcrew.com) — will really stir up your closet regulars. It won’t feel outdated next year, it will brighten your looks and mood when you’re feeling drab or fatigued, and it will also solve any what-to-wear holiday dilemmas.

Lauren Ralph Lauren High-Rise Flare Jeans in City Blue Wash; Banana Republic Stretch-Ponte Crop Flare Pant in Black; NYDJ Mona Wide Leg Trouser Jeans in Lightweight Rinse; Chico’s Pull-On Wide Leg Ankle Jeans

(Left to right) Lauren Ralph Lauren High-Rise Flare Jeans in City Blue Wash; Banana Republic Stretch-Ponte Crop Flare Pant in Black; NYDJ Mona Wide Leg Trouser Jeans in Lightweight Rinse; Chico’s Pull-On Wide Leg Ankle Jeans

Macy's; Banana Republic; NYDJ; Chico's

2. Wider-leg pants and jeans

Skinny jeans and leggings have not died, but they have been pushed aside by pants and jeans with wider legs. No need to opt for extreme styles with lots of excess fabric or the déjà vu look of wide-leg “dress pants” that puddle on the floor. Those into casual clothes, die-hard legging fans and anyone skeptical of wide legs will get enough of an update from flat-front, pull-on styles with a modified width, like the Chico’s Pull-On Wide Leg Ankle Jeans ($99, chicos.com) or a flare like the Banana Republic Stretch-Ponte Crop Flare Pant in Black ($100, bananarepublic.gap.com). Jeans fans who want a stylish alternative to straight legs can try flares — like the Lauren Ralph Lauren High-Rise Flare Jeans in City Blue Wash ($165, macys.com) that flow from the knee, or elevated hybrids like the NYDJ Mona Wide Leg Trouser Jeans in Lightweight Rinse ($119, nydj.com) — for extra swagger that’s sensible, not silly. Hint: If you must wear heels to make the extra width and/or length work, they’re the wrong pants or jeans for you!

Time and Tru Women’s Mid-Rise Wide Leg Trouser Jeans in Chocolate Fudge Faux Leather; Eloquii Faux Leather Peplum Puff Sleeve Top in Hot Fudge; Gap Mid-Rise Faux Leather Loose Pants in Brown Noir

(Left to right) Time and Tru Women’s Mid-Rise Wide Leg Trouser Jeans in Chocolate Fudge Faux Leather; Eloquii Faux Leather Peplum Puff Sleeve Top in Hot Fudge; Gap Mid-Rise Faux Leather Loose Pants in Brown Noir

Walmart; Eloquii; Gap

3. Fresh faux leather pieces

Black leather pants and black leather leggings were just the beginning. Both have become here-to-stay staples for 50-plus women who love their edge and attitude and the affordable price point of going faux. This fall there are new additions and color options. You might get those wider-leg pants in faux leather — like the Time and Tru Women’s Mid-Rise Wide Leg Trouser Jeans in Chocolate Fudge Faux Leather ($25, walmart.com) and Gap Mid-Rise Faux Leather Loose Pants in Brown Noir ($71, gap.com) — or a top like the Eloquii Faux Leather Peplum Puff Sleeve Top in Hot Fudge ($90, eloquii.com) — all in new brown shades. And yes, warm brown works with all neutrals, including cooler black, navy and gray … and red.

Zara Women Faux Leather Midi Skirt in Sand; Ann Taylor Faux Leather Midi Skirt in Almondine; Universal Thread Women’s Tie Front Midi Jean Skirt in Blue Denim

(Left to right) Zara Women Faux Leather Midi Skirt in Sand; Ann Taylor Faux Leather Midi Skirt in Almondine; Universal Thread Women’s Tie Front Midi Jean Skirt in Blue Denim

Zara; Ann Taylor; Target

4. A long, swishy skirt

Tempted to pass this one up? Hear me out. Maxi skirts are a major trend … and many women 50-plus are hesitant to wear them. Negative reactions range from “dowdy!” to “frumpy” to “never.” A long skirt, though, is one of the most wearable trends if (and this is the important part) you choose a midi, not a maxi. The flattery boost of ankle- and calf-baring midis is undeniably a good enough reason. But consider, too, the reality of maxi hemlines sweeping through leaves and dirty streets and getting in the way when we’re climbing stairs or in and out of cars — and there’s no contest. Midis — like the Zara Women Faux Leather Midi Skirt in Sand ($50, zara.com/us), Ann Taylor Faux Leather Midi Skirt in Almondine ($104, anntaylor.com) and Universal Thread Women’s Tie Front Midi Jean Skirt in Blue Denim ($28, target.com) — look great with tall knee-high boots, booties or flats, and a sweater. They feel cozy on blustery days and have enough length and sweep to make style points without getting in the way.

Vagabond Shoemakers Delia Flat in Black; Journee Collection Kavn Ballet Flat in Silver; Everlane The Italian Leather Day Glove in Caramel

(Clockwise from top left) Vagabond Shoemakers Delia Flat in Black; Journee Collection Kavn Ballet Flat in Silver; Everlane The Italian Leather Day Glove in Caramel

Nordstrom; Macy's; Everlane

5. Sophisticated ballet flats

Flats are “in” this fall, especially those with needle-sharp pointy toes and Mary Janes with an instep strap. Tread cautiously. Just say no to dagger toes and MJ styles that look too childish, and instead opt for refined ballet flats. These are not the flimsy-soled scrunch styles so popular in previous years, nor do they have blunt, wide toes or extra logos and embellishments. The ones to look for are sleek elevated ballet flats with square toe boxes like the Vagabond Shoemakers Delia Flat in Black ($120, nordstrom.com), and those with softy elongated and rounded toes like the Everlane The Italian Leather Day Glove in Black, Tan, Toasted Almond or Caramel ($135, everlane.com) and Journee Collection Kavn Ballet Flat in Silver, Tan or Black ($70, macys.com).

H&M Knit Sweater in Light Taupe; Old Navy Shaker-Stitch Collared Cardigan Sweater for Women in Belgian Waffle; Aqua Boxy Mock Neck Cashmere Sweater in Camel; Garnet Hill Ida Cashmere Cardigan in Oat Heather

(Left to right) H&M Knit Sweater in Light Taupe; Old Navy Shaker-Stitch Collared Cardigan Sweater for Women in Belgian Waffle; Aqua Boxy Mock Neck Cashmere Sweater in Camel; Garnet Hill Ida Cashmere Cardigan in Oat Heather

H&M; Old Navy; Bloomingdale's; Garnet Hill

6. A turtleneck or cardigan with a twist

Sheer sweaters and sleeveless sweaters (two current trends, if you can believe it!) are not on this to-buy list. However, updates of two fall perennials — turtlenecks and cardigans — are worth a look. Collared cardigans — like the Old Navy Shaker-Stitch Collared Cardigan Sweater for Women in Belgian Waffle ($40, old navy.gap.com) and Garnet Hill Ida Cashmere Cardigan in Deep Forest Heather, Oat Heather or Black ($229, garnethill.com) — can be worn closed as pullovers or open to a V, or as a top layer for a tank, tee or bodysuit. Turtles and mock necks (the terms have blurred, but tall necks minus a fold-over are what to look for) with a slightly cropped boxy fit (don’t worry these cover waistbands and your middle!) and dropped shoulders — like the Aqua Boxy Mock Neck Cashmere Sweater in Camel or Black ($198, bloomingdales.com) and the H&M Knit Sweater in Light Taupe ($33, www2.hm.com/en_us/) — pair well with high-waist pants, midis, any knee-ish pencil skirts you may have in your closet, and of course, jeans. The looser, more relaxed proportions make the latter perfect for layering over midi dresses to create a faux sweater and skirt effect. Try it!

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Lois Joy Johnson is a beauty and style editor who focuses on women 50 and older. She was the beauty and style editor at Ladies’ Home Journal and a founding editor of More magazine. She has written three books: The Makeup Wakeup, The Wardrobe Wakeup and The Woman's Wakeup.