I'm a Fashion Editor—Here's Everything I'm Shopping for Fall 2026
After months of barely-there layers and summer ease, I'm ready for the ritual of getting dressed again—the denim, the polished accessories, the slightly impractical heels. This season, my shopping list is shaping up to be a study in contrasts. I want the timeless things, certainly, but I want them with a twist: a classic top-handle bag rendered in rich black leather, a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses that feel inherited, straight-leg jeans primed to replace every other pair in my closet. Then there are the pieces that exist purely to make an outfit more interesting, like Jimmy Choo's polka-dot snakeskin-effect pumps and a Dries Van Noten bustier that demands to be worn under a jacket or paired with denim.
The mood is less about a single fall trend and more about creating a wardrobe with personality. I'm drawn to silhouettes that feel familiar but slightly personality driven. The bags are structured. The eyewear is graphic. The shoes are impactful. What's actually making it into my cart? Some Gucci and Celine. Balenciaga and Dries Van Noten sophistication and the kind of denim I suspect I'll wear three times a week. Consider this my fall 2026 wardrobe.
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear where she oversees luxury, runway content, and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, and Tiffany & Co., and her style has been featured in publications including The New York Times, Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. 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.