Long-Haul Report: 10 Fall Trends That Will Be Around Well Into 2024

It's official: We're in the midst of cuffing season. The typical definition of this period refers to one's desire to redefine their romantic relationship, but for fashion people, it takes on an entirely new meaning, especially mid-season. Our qualms have less to do with efforts to secure a ring and more to do with solidifying a shopping list. Sure, choosing what trends to adopt isn't a lifelong commitment, but it's no less tiring! It's a reality that's even harsher for indecisive shoppers, who often worry that what they're buying will be something they won't want to wear in six months. Like any interpersonal relationship, taking something off the market and getting to that point where you're committed (at least to hitting the check-out button) takes time.

Beating the cold feet that commitment-adverse shoppers have is no easy feat, but it can be done. How so? Start by investing in items that you know will be around longer. While that might seem like an oxymoron when considering the very nature of trends, the truth of the matter is there are always a few that carry over from season to season. In an effort to help you identify the best fashion trends to invest in for the long haul, we spent hours sifting through the fall/winter 2023 and spring/summer 2024 collections.

Ahead, we're sharing 10 trends that will transition from winter to spring easily. If these don't make even the most dubious buyers part ways with their dollars, then nothing can make them commit.

Every season, without fail, there's one outerwear trend destined to be around for the long haul. This season, it happens to be longline coats. We saw this trend sweep across the fall/winter 2023 and spring/summer 2024 runway collections in every form, proving their popularity. But it's not just the widespread prominence of this trend that makes it noteworthy. Instead, it's the various iterations of the style. While the coat's length remained unchanged, designers played with texture and color.

For example, at Boss's F/W 23 show, a black satin maxi coat was layered over a draped blouse and fitted pencil skirt. At Brandon Maxwell, white separates were layered underneath a fuzzy forest-green maxi coat. Possibly the best example of this coat's transition from season to season could be found at Khaite—although it was the brand's spring show, it still featured a pristinely tailored white coat. Each iteration of this trend proved that there's a long list of ways one could adopt it, making it the ideal long-term investment.

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We know what you're thinking: "Gloves? Groundbreaking reporting." Of course, it's a given that this winter-ready accessory would come back around once the temperatures drop. But how this "boring" accessory was made bold again across the fall/winter 2023 and spring/summer 2024 collections can't be ignored. It wasn't just that designers incorporated this accessory into their runway looks; they made it the focal point. For example, in Jil Sander's F/W 23 collection, this accessory created a feast for the eyes—the nipped-in waist of a butter-yellow leather top was dramatized by the addition of scrunched-up egg-white opera gloves. Similarly, subtle color-blocking was spotlighted at Givenchy, where a black turtleneck, trousers, and matching gloves were styled with a contrasting navy maxi coat.

It wasn't just in fall collections that we saw this accessory prevail. Case in point: Tod's S/S 24 collection. In the show, polished polo dresses and mismatched skirt suits were given a slight edge with the addition of moto-inspired gloves on the hands and even adorned onto belts. If that weren't enough to prove this accessory's relevance year-round, simply look to Fendi's S/S 24 collection, in which pastel-hued knits were paired with contrasting gloves. These collections proved that gloves aren't just a boring accessory; they can really give if styled right. 

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At this point, it should come as no surprise that suiting was prevalent on the runway. We've seen some form of these staples reimagined every season. With the fall/winter 2023 and spring/summer 2024 collections, designers put in the work to make suiting feel special again. Unlike previous iterations of suits that leaned into the oversize feel, we saw a sharp focus on tailoring. For some designers, that meant creating the illusion of sharp shoulders using shoulder pads, which were present in various fall/winter 2023 collections, including Saint Laurent, Versace, and Zimmermann.

Other designers chose to play with nipped-in waists. At Remain's spring show, a tan blazer with shoulder pads and cocoon sleeves curved tightly at the waist. Similarly, at Carolina Herrera's spring show, a simple black blazer was made sharper through dart pleats, a belt at the waist, and an oversize brooch. There was also Bevza's S/S 24 collection, which used tailoring to flatter the bust by creating bralette-like seams in a crisp white blazer. By leaning into tailoring in their fall/winter 2023 and spring/summer 2024 collections, designers gave working women something they'll be excited to wear again. 

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Let's be honest: Following bag trends over the past few years has felt a bit like whiplash. After all, it was quite a drastic change from mini bags being the prevailing trend to oversize carryalls making a big splash. One could argue that the desire to find a middle ground between the two trends is the driving force behind most designers' fall/winter 2023 and spring/summer 2024 collections. With these two seasons, there was less focus on playing with proportions, and functionality was the priority. We saw a wide embrace of a trend we're dubbing "huggies"—a traditional-sized bag silhouette that can be easily snuggled underneath the arm but still can be slung over the shoulder or carried by hand. Basically, it's a bag that can do it all.

The movement toward more pragmatic shapes was first ushered in on Ferragamo's F/W 23 runway with the debut of the Hug Bag, which is characterized by its structured top-handle silhouette with timeless front-clasp hardware. The bag can be easily "hugged" underneath the arm. Since then, we've seen multiple designers showcase the trend in their spring/summer 2024 collections. For example, oversize cloudlike clutches were spotted in both Victoria Beckham's and St. Agni's runway shows, and at Jil Sander and Tibi, structured handbags were styled as if they were clutches. No matter how they were worn, the prevalence of this style showed that the best bags aren't determined by size if you want to hold on to them for a long time. 

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Like clockwork, certain textiles always make a triumphant return on the fall/winter runways—leather happens to be one of them. If you can recall, it was only a few seasons back that we saw this material take over the runways in the form of heavy-duty pieces with overly distressed finishes fashioned into menswear-inspired silhouettes (e.g., oversize bombers and moto jackets). Since then, the textile has still played a significant part in collections, but in a surprising way. Unlike previous versions of this trend, we saw designers use leather in their fall/winter 2023 and spring/summer 2024 collections to create more traditionally feminine pieces.

For example, in Sportmax's fall collection, the simple shift dress became stunning by using a pale-yellow leather with a matching feather boa scarf. Similarly, at 16Arlington's spring show, a dress's drop-waist silhouette was dramatized through the usage of slate-gray leather. But it wasn't just dresses that played with leather. We saw in Brandon Maxwell's F/W 23 and Rokh's S/S 24 shows that cropped leather blazers with buckle details were styled with matching bottoms. While this textile's prevalence is undoubtedly a selling point, it's ultimately the craftsmanship that carries it. When you're dealing with a material that is so common in collections, you have to find a way to make it lovely again, and luckily for us, designers did just that. 

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We may be in the thick of boot season, but you better believe that's not the only footwear worth your time. If you were to scour recent runway collections, you'd likely realize that only one shoe style is sure to stick around until spring—ahem, pointed pumps. Sorry to your beloved boots, but across the fall/winter 2023 and spring/summer 2024 collections, designers rode 10 toes down for every type of pointed heels. While the widespread ubiquity of this footwear is reason enough to invest in it, the true allure lies in how designers were able to give this traditional style a contemporary spin. Of course, there were still a few classic iterations of this footwear in the mix—e.g., the pointed ankle-strap pumps spotted at Givenchy and the slightly curved pumps at Giada—but for the most part, designers weren't afraid to play with their pumps.

A prime example was Miu Miu's and Saint Laurent's fall collections, in which pointed pumps were adorned with belts. Similarly, designers sharpened the silhouette by opting for angled heels and shiny patent leather, as seen in Ferragamo's and Tory Burch's F/W 23 collections. The most exciting example was how designers incorporated texture. Khaite's fall show featured heels covered in fur, while Gucci's spring show had them embellished with tinsel. Each variation of this footwear in the collections proved that this style is always on point. 

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If we're being honest, most color trends are fleeting, but occasionally, one manages to break out of the cycle and become a "neutral" hue in its own right—red has done just that. Since last spring, we've seen various shades of red surface on the runways, but it wasn't until we began researching for this story that we were fully convinced this color is here to stay. While we didn't see one singular shade of red reign supreme, two noteworthy variations were found across the fall/winter 2023 and spring/summer 2024 collections: crimson and cherry red. With the former, we saw the highly saturated red play a bigger part in fall collections, but it did carry over into spring too! Designers often used crimson to make typical silhouettes feel sultrier. That aim was on full display at Stella McCartney in a double-breasted coat and matching slip skirt that came in crimson red. At Tory Burch, we saw how a longline wrap coat becomes fiery when fashioned from a crimson material. And then there was Ferragamo's fall collection, which featured suits, knits, and coats in the brightest possible version of crimson.

If the fall collections were all about using this shade of red to dial up the heat, then spring was all about bringing it to a subdued simmer, which is apparent in the broad adoption of cherry red. Designers took this decadent shade of red and dialed up the ante by using it for "luxurious" items. For example, in Sabato De Sarno's debut show for Gucci, leather goods like bags, moto jackets, midi skirts, and pumps all came in cherry red. Similarly, a Versace skirt suit came in drool-worthy cherry-red leather. Although the shades differ in vibrancy, they're both a reminder that any color can be neutral if you're willing to commit. 

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Much like gloves, tights can be an afterthought for most, as they're a staple that's not all that snazzy. That, however, wasn't the case in the recent runway collections. We saw designers use this underrated underpinning as a way to add visual intrigue to their looks. In fact, the popularity of this undergarment in the fall/winter 2023 and spring/summer 2024 collections made it seem as if designers had decided to collectively raid the hosiery department in search of inspiration—boy, did they find it. Collections championed almost every type of tights, from colorful tights to fishnets at Victoria Beckham's and Tory Burch's fall shows. Additionally, we saw designers get creative with how they styled tights.

In Miu Miu's F/W 23 collection, sheer tights were layered underneath exposed briefs and paired with triple-layered tees, cardigans, and sweatshirts. At Gucci, tights in contrasting hues were purposely styled underneath low-slung hemlines and sheer separates to expose the top of the pantyhose. And then there was Sportmax's S/S 24 collection, in which a pencil skirt with an exposed chiffon lining was layered over matching sheer white tights and thong sandals. All of the ways in which designers got creative with styling this underpinning showed that some staples shouldn't be underestimated. 

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As previously reported, styling has played a significant part in making knitwear feel tied to the moment—that's no more apparent than with the trend we've dubbed "in knots." Spotted in previous seasons, this trend is characterized by runway looks featuring layered knit pieces tied over the shoulders, waist, bust, and so on. The trend began as a styling hack, but with the fall/winter 2023 and spring/summer 2024 collections, we saw designers transform it. Knotted pieces no longer require extra time in the dressing room to re-create, as designers made them a built-in feature of the apparel.

In Gauchere's F/W 23 collection, a slate-gray jumpsuit had a built-in knot around the waist that mimicked the appearance of blazer sleeves. At Henne's S/S 24 show, the technique was applied to a camel-hued mohair sweaterdress to create a dramatic draped knot with a long train. And then there were all the knitted tops that were in knots. In Rabanne's F/W 23 collection, a baby-blue sweater featured an oversize tie detail. At the spring shows of Brandon Maxwell and Fendi, sleeveless knits were embellished with faux-knotted layers. If you ever had a fear of being tied down, these pieces proved it's far more alluring than you'd think. 

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By now, you hopefully have been able to stir up the willpower to dedicate part of your budget and closet space to some of the previously listed trends. If you still find none of them satisfy your desire to take a risk, consider investing in a few risqué sheer separates for the season. While we've seen varied forms of "naked" clothing on the runways over the past few seasons, with the fall/winter 2023 and spring/summer 2024 collections, we saw them take a subtle shift. With the first waves of cold fronts blowing in, a new way of styling sheer pieces has arrived. The focus for fashion designers was no longer the opacity of the textiles to stimulate the senses, and instead, they leaned into experimenting with visible layering. That's no more evident than in Saint Laurent's F/W 23 collection, where sheer crewnecks and tanks were layered underneath sharply tailored suit jackets and matching pencil skirts.

Beyond Saint Laurent, we saw sheer separates being given a more modest feel throughout various spring collections. For instance, at Proenza Schouler, saffron-red sheer tops were layered on top of each other and paired with a matching chiffon midi skirt. Similarly, at Shushu/Tong, a chiffon blouse was layered underneath a bra and semi-sheer pointelle knit tank. There was also Coperni's show, which featured a gauzy taupe sweater styled with a sheer white slip skirt. While many designers found that the solution to making sheer items more approachable was all in layering, it's not the only way. Look to Givenchy's S/S 24 collection, in which a sheer slip skirt was paired with non-opaque items to make it more wearable. Some trends may seem impractical, but if you're dedicated to making them work, there's no reason to pass them up. In the end, what makes a trend worth investing in isn't solely its popularity—it's whether it's something you can see yourself wearing long after the front has passed. 

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