I'm a Fashion Editor Who Loves to Plan Ahead—32 Fall Essentials I'm Buying Early
I've always been a planner, often thinking weeks ahead about even the most inconsequential of decisions. Like the industry I work in, where everything has a six-month lead time, I thrive when I can plan for things in advance. So naturally, as I watched designers debut their fall/winter collections in February, the gears in my brain were already turning, planning which items would become essential to my wardrobe when the season actually arrived.
With fall now on the horizon, I'm stress-free, as I've already made all of the hard sartorial decisions that come with the arrival of a new season. From new-and-improved basics like the halter top and pastel-colored button-downs to of-the-moment outerwear, jewelry, and footwear that are sure to dominate in a few months, the pieces I'm planning to bring into autumn have all but been added to my closet. Now, all I have to do is actually buy them. See and shop all 32 of them below.
'80s jacket:
Fashion from the '80s gets far too much hate for how lavish and chic the trends that stemmed from it are. Case in point? The jackets and blazers are far more tailored and elevated than any boxy, oversize silhouette from the '20s. I'm drawing inspiration from Yves Saint Laurent's runway shows from the decade, buying up all the nipped-in, shoulder-padded, and gold-buttoned jackets I can find.
Relaxed denim:
There's something so effortless and chic about wearing a baggy, low-slung pair of jeans with a really tailored jacket and flats or pointy heels. Just don't forget the accessories, from a cool bag to a statement pair of earrings.
Cat-eye sunglasses:
I wear sunglasses every single day of the year, whether it's 90ºF and sunny or 45ºF and overcast, so when I find a pair that I like and that will go with everything in my wardrobe, I snatch it up, sometimes even doubling the order just in case I misplace one. These cat-eye shades from Ray-Ban caught my eye a bit ago and have stuck with me ever since. They're very retro and yet timeless.
Slingback kitten heels:
A pair of black slingbacks belong in everyone's wardrobe, not just mine. They're perfect for any season since you can easily style them with tights when the temps drop and dress up every outfit they're paired with. I especially love this $140 pair because they remind me of the styles designed by Anthony Vaccarello for Saint Laurent but at a fraction of the price.
'90s basics:
Is it just me, or does this top look just like one that Kate Moss would wear to castings and after runway shows in the '90s? The high neck, 3/4-length sleeves, and fitted bodice are so her.
Polo-neck sweater:
If it has a polo neckline in 2023, I want it, but no style is calling my name more than this bright green one from COS. It feels shockingly Prada-like to me, and I can't wait to style it with a full, A-line style or charcoal pencil skirt and my brand-new Prada wedge heels.
Structured trench coat:
You can never have too many trench coats, especially since there are so many subtly different styles to choose from. This one's slightly oversize and more heavy duty, two qualities I always look for when I'm shopping for this particular fall staple.
White jeans for fall:
There's almost nothing I love more in the fall and winter than wearing white jeans, thus breaking one of fashion's longest-standing rules. I think they look so effortlessly cool when paired with a matching tee, a great knit, and a simple belt.
Mary Janes:
There's something so put together about a pair of Mary-Jane flats. They've been elegant for decades now, after all. These from Open Edit are especially alluring because even though they look just as luxe as all of the ones by The Row and Aeyde, they'll only set you back $60.
White layering tee:
If you ask me, every good sweater outfit calls for a simple, white T-shirt to just be peaking out from underneath the knit. It adds a level of intentionality and style to the fall staple.
Cropped cashmere sweater:
As much as I love to throw on a big cashmere sweater and some baggy jeans, it just isn't always the look I'm going for when I want to look classy and stylized. For those occasions, only a cropped alt will do, and no color, to me, is better suited for this sweater shape than gray.
A-line skirt:
Thanks to Prada and Bottega Veneta, voluminous A-line skirts are officially vying for the spots that micro minis once took up in my closet.
Oversize studs:
There is no outfit, no matter how boring it may be, that can't be saved by a pair of oversize studs or clip-on earrings. These by Ben-Amun are really calling my name and will likely be the silver alternative for my gold Bottega Veneta drop earrings come autumn.
Pastel button-down shirt:
There's no arguing that button-down shirts are essential for every season. That being said, right now, the only ones I'm eyeing are those that come in a delicate shade of baby pink. To me, there's nothing chicer than one of these paired with big, '80s-inspired silver clip-ons or studs.
Classic trousers:
Sometimes, as much as I love them, jeans just won't do. Trousers, however, especially when they fit just right, are perfectly pressed, and are paired with all the right things, are always a good idea.
Off-the-shoulder dress:
This gorgeous off-the-shoulder number might have to be pre-ordered (it's not set to ship until September), it's too pretty to miss out on. That's why I've already pressed purchase and will be patiently awaiting its arrival come fall.
Understated handbag:
If you want a bag that looks like The Row without spending thousands of dollars, let me introduce you to Massimo Dutti's fall handbag offering. Just look at this gorgeous, minimal top handle with a very practical crossbody strap. It's impeccable.
Halter top:
Though I'll never say no to a new classic tank, there's something so much more elevated and elegant about the halter-neck styles that have come out for fall. This one from Reformation checks off every box in that it's a bit thicker than an average tank, making it perfect for autumn, and it can be worn dressed up or down.
Slip skirt:
To make this lavish-looking, baby-blue slip skirt even more buy-worthy, it also features black, contrast details on the top. Swoon.
Hourglass minidress:
I'm perhaps too in love with the idea of layering super tailored minidresses with either maxi dresses or skirts underneath à la Tory Burch's spring/summer 2023 collection. I've penned it the double-dress trend, and it's coming for your closet very soon.
Wool blanket coat:
Arguably the coat on every fashion girl's wish list, Totême's Scarf Jacket is the perfect outerwear choice to get you through fall and winter.
Sleek sneakers:
If you love Sambas but don't love that everyone owns them, same. That's why I'm planning on ordering this leather style that features all the comfort and ease of the original style with a bit more of an elevated touch.
Oversize bag:
This bag deserves all of the hype it gets on TikTok. For $128, you get style, size, and versatility. And now that it comes in fiery red, you can be majorly on-trend too.
Satin tank:
Saint Laurent's fall collection has me filling up my wardrobe with silky tanks, mostly to style with blazers and pencil skirts but also with jeans and trousers.
Cuff bracelet:
That same collection inspired my growing assortment of oversize cuff bracelets, which can be worn on their own or styled on top of long-sleeve pieces. The possibilities are endless.
Sculpted top:
This Austrian brand is known in the industry for its hyper-elegant pieces like this velvet sculpted vest. And after months of saving up, I'm finally going to get one.
Dark-wash denim:
I love a light-wash, vintage pair of jeans just as much as anyone, but when you want a more upscale aesthetic without wearing trousers or a skirt, only darker washes will do.
Crew-neck knit:
Duh, I want a cashmere crew-neck sweater for fall. But more specifically, I want this cashmere crew-neck sweater for fall. The baby-pink coloring has me absolutely smitten. And I love how it's styled in a very The Row-inspired fashion.
Pointed-toe boots:
These boots sold out so fast last season, long before I could score a pair. I won't make the same mistake this year. They remind me so much of the ones I saw in a photo of Jennifer Aniston from her Friends days that I simply cannot shake.
Ivory coat:
This gorgeous ivory coat really is only $85. So yes, I'm adding it to my wardrobe. And yes, I'll be styling it most frequently with other ivory pieces or black.
Track pants:
Ever since I tried on the most beautiful pair of navy-blue track pants at Miu Miu's outlet store, I've been searching for a slightly more affordable alt. Now that these from JW Anderson are majorly discounted, I'm absolutely positive that I've found the ones to scratch the itch.
Ballet flats:
Ballet flats are trending. You knew that. I knew that. So, the key is to find pairs that feel slightly different than the ones everyone is wearing. That's why I adore this super sleek style from Jeffrey Campbell. It doesn't hurt either that they're under $150.
Eliza Huber is a New York City–based fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and celebrity style. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 after almost four years on the fashion editorial team at Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a marketing degree from the University of Iowa. She has since launched two monthly columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled the likes of Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, and Sabrina Carpenter for WWW's monthly cover features; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top trends from fashion month, season after season. Eliza now lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, running in Central Park, and scouring eBay for '90s Prada and '80s Yves Saint Laurent.
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