I've Lost Interest in These 6 Fall Basics, But 6 These Feel Exciting and New

To me, fall is a time of reinvigoration, and one of the areas that I apply that to is my wardrobe. Each season, the first thing that I set out to refresh is my basics collection, and the first step is weeding out the ones that I've stopped wearing to make room for a few new items.

It may seem counterintuitive to say that basics are "in" or "out", but history proves that trend cycles can apply to basics as well, but it's a bit more subtle. You needn't worry about looking passé if your basics aren't particularly of-the-moment. That being said, as a fashion lover, I enjoy keeping my fall basics up-to-date, and I'm here to talk about the ones I'm kind of over, and those I'm actively shopping for. Keep scrolling to shop along with me as I take a deep dive into the best basics trends to buy into for fall and beyond.

Retiring: Corduroy Blazers

Buying: Oversize Single-Breasted Blazers

Oversize blazers have replaced fitted ones, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Something I love about slouchy blazers is that you can layer them over sweaters in the fall (unlike their fitted counterparts).

new-fall-basics-301924-1660941296708-image

(Image credit: @lindatol_)

Shop the trend:

Retiring: Sweater-Vests

Buying: Waistcoats

I wouldn't say that sweater-vests are "out," but I don't find them to be all that flattering on me. Waistcoats, on the other hand, make any outfit look chicer, and you can wear them in place of a top or layered over a turtleneck on a chilly day.

new-fall-basics-301924-1660941295585-image

(Image credit: @lucywilliams02)

Shop the trend:

Retiring: Ribbed Knit Dresses

Buying: Slip Dresses

Ribbed knit dresses certainly had a moment in recent seasons, but slip dresses are back to steal their thunder. If you want your slip dress to feel especially fresh this fall, take a cue from the runways and pair it with a sweater tied around your waist.

new-fall-basics-301924-1660941294969-image

(Image credit: @raeannlangas)

Shop the trend:

Retiring: Skinny Jeans

Buying: Baggy Low-Rise Jeans

This one isn't all that surprising, as skinny jeans have been fading for years now. A far fresher style to swap them with this fall is baggy low-rise jeans.

new-fall-basics-301924-1660941296052-image

(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

Shop the trend:

Retiring: Sweater Sets

Buying: Chunky Knits

Don't get me wrong—I love a sweater set, but they've become oversaturated since becoming a trend several seasons ago. Alternatively, you can't go wrong with a classic chunky knit one. A cool way to utilize a chunky sweater before it gets cold enough to actually wear it is tied around your shoulders or your waist.

new-fall-basics-301924-1660941297243-image

(Image credit: @claire_most)

Shop the trend:

Retiring: Flannel Shirts

Buying: Oversize Button-Downs Over White Tank Tops

Flannel shirts are one of those basics that come and go. At the moment, I'm keener on wearing oversize button-downs over white tank tops.

new-fall-basics-301924-1660941297631-image

(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Shop the trend:

Next up, the basics fashion people in Paris wear with jeans.

Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.