7 Designer Items I Know Will Be Hot This Fall

What's hot in fashion for fall? A handful of designer items instantly come to mind. If you're interested in investing in some of the viral and about-to-be-viral pieces of the season, this is my short list of the selects to add to your cart now before they are impossible to get your hands on. 

Some of the picks, including Alaïa's cult Mary Jane flats, are summer staples that recently came back in stock but are still in high demand. Other items, including Khaite's Lucca belt finished with an asymmetrical metal buckle, are newer to the scene but are already selling out at record speed and primed for cool looks this fall. Others, such as the Cartier Baignoire watch, are carving themselves out to be the cult items to know for this season and many beyond. Ahead, you'll find the best designer shopping items to invest in now for the season ahead—from shoes to bags to timepieces.

Alaïa Ballet Flats

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(Image credit: @jaimeridge)

Alaïa ballet flats are one of the hottest items of 2023. They were unquestionably the shoe of the summer, but continue to be one of the most in-demand pieces as we head into fall. Do yourself a favor and order the styles that have just been restocked because I guarantee they will sell out almost immediately. 

Hermès Picotin Bag

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

When I met with the team at Fashionphile last week, they told me that the Hermès Picotin is the buzziest bag across the site right now. Yes, even more popular than the iconic Hermès Birkin and Kelly bags. Word to the wise—snap it up before more people catch on.

Prada Floral Shoes

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(Image credit: @ellymcgaw)

The shoes of the season were clear from the beginning. They are one of the most-Instagrammed pieces from the F/W 23 runways and have garnered just as much excitement now that they have arrived in stores. Prada's floral-embellished heels and flats can't be beat.

Cartier Baignoire Watch

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Chatter on watch TikTok makes it abundantly clear that the Cartier Baignoire timepiece is it. Though originally designed in 1912, the watch is having a moment. The timepiece is finished with an oval dial and leather straps or metal bracelets. The just-released bangle version is already all the talk amongst the fashion set.

Miu Miu Buckled Pumps

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(Image credit: @clairerose)

Earlier this spring, editors couldn't stop talking about these buckled Miu Miu slingbacks when they hit the runway, so it is no surprise that they are already one of the hottest shoes of the season. They've been a hit on the street style set at New York fashion week and I predict they will be a popular shoe as we head into fall.

Khaite Lucca Belt

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(Image credit: Getty Images/Christian Vierig)

Cool belts are having a moment for fall. Designed with unexpected asymmetric buckles in oversize proportions, the pieces practically double as jewelry. If you can't decide which style to add to your closet, the Khaite Lucca is a surefire bet.

Bottega Veneta Andiamo Bag

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(Image credit: @flawlessmis)

While the Bottega Veneta Andiamo bag splashed onto the fashion scene last year, it still remains one of the major bags to own.

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Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury and runway content as well as wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, Tiffany & Co., and MyTheresa, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.