Top Fall Fashion Tips
By carmen davis
There’s no secret that fall is the best season when it comes to fashion. Being born and raised with California swag turned Texas charm, typical fall weather has never been a favorite of mine, although my wardrobe conveyed differently. Scarves, long coats, and head wraps have always been wardrobe staples.
Now that I reside in New York City, where fall is an actual thing, I can wear my long coats without overheating and still be stylish. Don't we love it when we can be both cute and comfortable — and in this case warm? Fall fashion has something for everyone.
When it comes to fall fashion (but really, any season of fashion), Black culture will always add a unique spin to the trend. We take simple trends and add swag to them. We won't even talk about how almost every trend originated from Black urban culture. There are several fall 2023 trends out and I will give you tips on which ones should stay and which ones are cray cray!
The fashion theme for this fall is “wearable elevated dressing.” It includes trends such as cold shoulder, scoop neck, belts and buckles, pops of color, elevated staples, art prints, sweater weather, sculpted sleeves, peplum, and corporate classics. Although these trends are in, it's important to know that not every trend is made for everyone. I mean that quite literally- some trends just ain't for you, boo! Even though all trends may not be your friend, here are some ways to find the ones that work for you.
Here are my top tricks, trends, and advice that you can use to take on this season in style.
Find the trends that work for your body shape.
If you are curvy, opt for trends such as belts and buckles. They are perfect for the girlies who have a little more hips and dips. For the girls who want the Chloe Bailey waist without the Chloe Bailey diet, adding a belt (or several) to a simple coat, jeans, dress or skirt will accentuate the waist, leaving it looking snatched and feeling like a feature from Sir Mix-a-Lot’s hit song, “Baby Got Back.”
2. Yes, I know. Peplums are in.
I say this with caution. I know what you’re thinking: Ain't no way, ain't no way. The great thing about this trend, besides how well it can accentuate the hips and waist, is that it can manipulate an average waist into looking smaller and hips to look more curvaceous. This trend is perfect for the average body type, the inverted triangle shape and rectangle shape. The extra fabric around the hips adds volume and alludes to a curvy body shape. Please, please please, do not try this trend if you are a pear shape (i.e. bottom-heavy baddies). The extra fabric around the hips will make you look large and in charge. We all want that but in the right way! Full-figured ladies, I'm talking to you. This trend works perfectly on full-figured women. It's all about the proportions!
3. Go classic.
There are some trends that aren't for everyone and then there are some that everyone should jump on. The “elevated staples' trend is just one of those. It includes a turtleneck, a long black jacket, and a scoop-neck top. Let's start with the long black jacket. This trend is a fall must-have. Black is always elevated and always has a vibe. A long black jacket (no matter the style) will always be a classic. If you do this trend, be mindful of the jacket’s length. If you’re a 5 '1 shawty like myself, gear toward a length of mid-calf. If you go too long, you’ll be chopped off. If you go too short, you may as well have done a different trend.
This rule applies to all heights and weights. Keep in mind this trend does not have to break the bank. Instead, head to your local thrift shop and pop some tags. Speaking of thrifting, a classic turtleneck is the perfect thrift item and can be worn with the long black jacket. Seriously, “Look at this peacoat, tell me he broke”. You won't only be on trend, but also look like a million bucks.
4. Living life in color.
This is another trend that's perfect for everyone, and I mean everyone. When it comes to color on our skin tones, we never go wrong. But this season's colors will have our melanin poppin’ all season long. I mean truly — name another body of people that does color better than us. I'll wait. This season is all about red and green. Think Shirley Temple cherry red. That's the red you want this fall. This can be worn monochromatically (dripped in red) or even as a hair color. I personally love a red lip because it's sexy and classy. Go red or go home. As far as the trending green, you'll see shades of olive oil green which presents as a golden yellow; anything golden on our skin is going to pop! Need I say more? I love that green is finally getting its true recognition. Green is the color of healing, growth, and prosperity. I don’t know about you, but I want all of that.
5. Rule of thumb: (3 ways)
If you can’t style a piece (or trend) in at least three different ways, it’s not worth the buy! Keep this in mind for trends, including a cold shoulder, a scoop-neck top, and sculpted sleeves. These trends can also fall under “elevated classics' because they are styles with a little drama. Basically, you take a regular scoop-neck, off-the-shoulder shirt, or puff sleeve and dramatize it! Think low, like low low low low low… the cold shoulder should be falling to your elbows and that scoop neck is going to be mid-bust line. And men, don’t think this trend is just for the ladies… we love to see a little chest hair.
One of the best ways to do this trend is DIY. Take that shirt you haven’t worn in ages and go to work! Reuse and recycle. Sustainability, baby! Think about wearing these trends in multiple ways. Pair the scoop-neck top with the cold shoulder and baggy jeans for an edgy look. Pair a cold-shoulder dress with a short-sleeved turtleneck and a long jacket for an elevated dinner look. Or try a low-cut, scoop-neck top with dress slacks, a belt and scarf, and oxfords for a modern-day Prince look.
Listen, we don’t have to let our clothes limit us but if it or does and you can’t find several ways to style your look that trend is not for you boo! But I will tell you what is for you… Pear shape baddies check-in, it’s your time to shine with the sculpted sleeve trend. It works perfectly because you’re adding balance to your shape and creating more structure since the good Lord blessed you with childbearing hips. We are thankful and grateful, and it’s important to realize how every style will work for us. With that in mind, the sculptured sleeve trend is so heavy and dramatic, it essentially compliments the lower half of your body, creating a well-put-together and dynamic look.
6. Olivia Pope Who?
The corporate classic trend will have you feeling like the boss you already are. This trend is just how it sounds. Pull out your blazers, baby — the boxier the better. Think 1980s-style blazers with a modern touch. Unlike the long black jacket trend”, bigger is not better. There's a fine line between oversized and just too big. Find the right oversized fit for your body and know, you may not get it right the first time. This trend will take some trial and error, but once you get it, all will rise.
7. Beauty — and art — is in the eye of the beholder.
If you aren’t wearing your clothes as art, then you aren't wearing your clothes. Personal style is supposed to be a reflection of you, a way to express yourself to the world. Think of your body as a blank canvas that you paint daily when you get dressed. Fashion is visual art it's more than clothes. But if you’re having a hard time expressing yourself and finding your personal style, the art trend is perfect for you. It’s perfect for those who know what they like, but have a hard time putting it together on their own. This trend is easy because all you have to do is buy an art print piece (shirt, pants, or scarf), throw it on, and go. You don't have to think too much about this trend. Think Ed Hardy days. Yes, you got it. This trend is one of my favorites. It's a way to express yourself without trying too hard.
8. You get a sweater and you get a sweater!
Sweaters will never go out of style. But the sweater weather trend is definitely coming in hot this fall, with sweater dresses, oversized sweaters, chunky sweaters, knit sweaters, and long sweaters. But this trend also includes sheer sweaters, metallic sweaters, scarf sweaters, blanket sweaters, crochet sweaters, and cut-out sweaters. So yes, we're all getting sweaters. Find the perfect sweater or sweaters to complement your wardrobe this fall. Sweaters are great for layers and adding dimension to your fit. You'll always look pulled together with the right sweater.
Now that we've gone through the top trends for the most important season in fashion, it's important to understand that there's no concrete rules when it comes to fashion. All of these tips are to guide you in the direction of being your most authentic fashion forward self. Fashion is ever changing, it's based on trends and popular belief. Fashion is subjective. But style, personal style is distinct. Style is about taking the current fashion trends that encapsulates who you are and how you represent oneself.
It's about being the artist to your own fashion story. Keep this in mind when it comes to trying new trends. If you are pear shaped but love a good peplum- you do you boo. And if you're a 5 '1 shawty but loves a long jacket- go for it. Personal style is all about how you uniquely style trends in the hopes of being more confident when presented to the world. As for me, I'll be rocking golden green and art prints all season long, while of course channeling the Olivia Pope vibe. What can I say, I'm a classic girl.
Now that you know how I'll take on this season in style. Let us know your favorite trends and submit your looks to us to be featured on our social media.