How Early Is Too Early? 7 Fall Trends I'm Already Itching to Shop

Me? I'm a fall girl through and through. While summer dressing can certainly be fun (sheer pieces, jelly sandals, and crafty accessories were a few of my favorites this year), I'd be lying if I said that I didn't look forward to fall shopping all summer long and, honestly, all year long. There's just something about fall shopping that feels magical. It brings me back to those back-to-school days when I would spend hours at the mall immersed in the new arrivals, curating new outfits to wear and cooking up a whole new personal style vibe for who I wanted to become.

This season, that means tapping into some of the most exciting new fall trends to hit the market, technical sportswear jackets, elegant slippers, and polished top-handle bags. The fall/winter 2025 runways seemed like they arrived eons ago, but now that the season is creeping up, I've been revisiting the new collections and teeming with ideas on which top-level themes I want to buy into and sourcing the pieces I'll be doing them with. I've waited months to shop fall trends, and I'm too eager to wait any longer, not even long enough for the temperatures to drop.

Ahead, I'm sharing the seven fall trends I'm most excited about and plan to shop before anyone else does.

Funnel-Neck Jackets

Jackets have been veering sporty and technical all year long, and they're showing no signs of slowing down as we move into the fall. In fact, I expect to only see more and more of these athletic and outdoor sports–inspired items like the funnel-neck anoraks that are everywhere at the moment. I've been eyeing one to add to my wardrobe, and the arrival of fall is as good an occasion as any.

Dark-Rinse Denim

Nothing says fall like a fresh pair of jeans hitting your denim stack, and next season, my full attention is geared toward dark rinses that look polished and put-together no matter what, specifically classic straight-leg and cigarette fits. Paired with a crisp white button-down and loafers? That's my idea of a perfect fall outfit.

Plaid Shirts

Animal prints like leopard and snake had their run, but I can say with confidence that plaid is set to be fall's It print without a doubt. Plaid shirts popped up on the runways at Calvin Klein, Kallmeyer, and TWP, where they were tucked into tailored trousers or tied insouciantly around models' waists, a styling choice that fashion people are already adopting.

Luxe Slippers

There's just something utterly luxurious about a pair of velvet, satin, or suede smoking slippers, and as brands like The Row and Saint Laurent put their spin on the heritage shoes, I'm revisiting longtime labels such as Charvet, which has been crafting its velvet slippers since 1838.

All Things Lace

Some trends are brand-new for fall, while others are carryovers that are proving to be well worth their investments. Romantic lace and lace trimming are everywhere I look right now. All across the fall/winter 2025 runways, designers experimented with delicate fabric, deploying it as fluid sheer lace maxi dresses or using exacting measures to finish off slip skirts with a lace trim. I was hesitant to invest in the trend for summer for fear it would evaporate soon after Labor Day, but the runways have confirmed it, and now, I'm going all in on a few fall lace additions.

Top-Handle Bags

The Row India Bag. The Hermès Bolide. Loewe Amazona. Something is happening with bags right now. They're all going elegant. Go for polished bowling bags with double top handles and a structured, diminutive body that fits right in the crook of your elbow.

Flared Trousers

A new season calls for new staples, and one such refresh is coming to my collection of black pants, where flared and bootcut trousers are making a surprising entrance. Hailey Bieber, Alexa Chung, and Laura Harrier—some of the chicest dressers in the celebrity world are styling flared and kick-flare pants with flats, slingback, and sandals, and I'll be joining them.

This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.