Five Fall 2024 Trends to Watch
By Caroline Downey
Transport yourself, for a moment, to a Cotswolds cottage in England as the autumn leaves turn gold. Even if you live in a bustling city, the countryside may find you this fall. The look books are forecasting hearty and cozy, with arboreal colors and homespun fabrics made for a walk in the woods, settling into a nook with a book, or a romantic rendezvous under a twinkling lamppost. America, too, boasts many charming towns, from Mystic, Connecticut to Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, where these styles may be spotted. But metropolitan glamor remains, with edgy bags and embellishments amid the folksy feel.
Fall is nearly upon us, and there’s much to discuss.
HERITAGE FABRICS
Maybe I just yearn to be back in my ancestors’ native Ireland this time of year, but I think of this trend as something like “Celtic core.” Barn jackets with a corduroy collar, wool Aran sweaters, tartan plaid accordion skirts, Fair Isle yarn vests, and hodgepodge-patched quilted jackets. Does it not make you want to frolic among sheep on a cliffside pasture? Just me? As for the barn jacket, there’s not a moment to waste to acquire one, as they’re flying off the shelves. Soon it’ll be like finding a needle in a haystack! Dairy Boy was among the first to release one this summer, and to that, I tip my cowgirl hat.
IT’S NOT EASY BEING…
Kermit the Frog’s wisdom applies to dressing. Green is a color that is out of many people’s comfort zones. Luckily, its fall shades tend to flatter nature and many skin tones. Whether you go for Granny Smith apple, olive, or what Aje is calling “fern,” you’ll look like a proper fall forager. Our personal favorite this season is forest green…stay tuned.
TELL ME ABOUT IT, STUD
There’s a bit of rock n’ roll on these runways. We’re seeing studs on leather biker jackets, Mary Jane’s, bags, and belts. The glitterati are signaling that a dash of punk is very much cool this fall. If wearing studs as the centerpiece isn’t your thing, there are many accessories that quietly incorporate them so you can be preppy while pushing the envelope.
SUEDE
Not exactly breaking news, but the suede craze is here. Certain shades, such as chestnut and chocolate brown, are commanding attention. Blazers and below-the-knee boots are selling like hot cakes. If the former is out of budget for you in Harris’s economy, consider checking out eBay for vintage pieces. It’s likely to be better quality for a fraction of the price.
BOWLING BAGS
I personally lump them in with a made-up category I like to call “polly pocket purses.” Petite bags have been central to my wardrobe since they reemerged in the Y2K comeback. Stepping back into 1999, the bowling bags on the market are a happy medium between this and a satchel. This season’s iteration has long straps and an oblong shape that feels whimsical but chic. Without a doubt, it’s the most sought-after silhouette of the season.
Caroline Downey is the editor-in-chief of The Conservateur and a staff writer at National Review. She can be found on Twitter @carolinedowney_.