The 6 Best Fall Trends, According to Fashion Editors

At Who What Wear, we are always thinking ahead to the upcoming season—especially when it comes to the coolest trends on the horizon and how our future shopping will fit into that. After studying all of the looks from the fall/winter 2024 collections back in March, we narrowed in on nine trends we predicted would define fashion in the second half of the year. Now that we are closer to fall, I was curious to check in with our team of fashion editors to see what is registering with them now and the exact trends they are planning to shop first.

Some of the selects aligned with our original predictions, including funnel-neck outerwear, buttery leather, and elegant cropped cigarette pants. Others escaped our original list but feel equally primed to take over in the coming months. Ahead are the six best trends for shop first for fall, according to Who What Wear editors.

Funnel-Neck Outerwear

“I still can’t stop thinking about the funnel-neck silhouettes that hit the fall runways. Designers such as Proenza Schouler, Victoria Beckham, and Burberry showcased gorgeous funnel-neck outerwear, and I think it’s the chicest coat style for the season. You could literally wear anything underneath (like a simple sweater and jeans), and that statement coat will take your look to the next level.” — Bobby Schuessler, shopping director

Cropped Pants

“I always find it a bit impractical to buy an entirely new wardrobe for the fall, so when I remembered I spotted several iterations of cropped and high-water pants on the fall runways, I was sold. Not only is this trend completely wearable, but it’s also one I already have in my closet thanks to the emergence of capri pants earlier this summer. A crop that sits high above the ankle feels bold for me, especially when styled with almond-toe pumps à la Altuzarra.” — Ana Escalante, assistant shopping editor

Buttery Leather

“When it comes to fall trends, for me, nothing will ever top leather. Sure, the exact iterations that are in can change each year or two, but the essence of the pieces remains the same, and it’s something ultimately worth investing in. Both durable and buttery soft at once, leather is a forever buy that will take you so far. Plus, whether you opt for a jacket, coat, dress, gloves, or anything else, the material truly elevates any outfit.” — Nicole Eshaghpour, editor-at-large

Furry Jackets and Coats

“I bought one of those Frankie Shop faux-fur jackets at the tail end of last winter (order it before it sells out again), so I was happy to see plenty of faux fur on the fall/winter 2024 runways. When styled with other polished pieces, faux fur can look incredibly elegant—Gigi Hadid’s Miu Miu look from the fall collection is a great example. My advice is to invest in a chocolate-brown coat, as they look the most luxe. Do it soon since the best ones will go fast.” — Allyson Payer, senior editor

Bangle Bracelets

“For the longest time, I considered bangles to be an outdated 2000s trend that had been forgotten. When I was initially dabbling in this trend, my jewelry shopping was coming from places like Claire’s, so these pieces had tarnished in my closet and been left as nothing but a memory. When I saw designers like Schiaparelli and Dior flaunt stacks and stacks of gold bracelets at the recent runway shows, I became intrigued. Whenever I want to feel dressed up, I like to combine thin gold bracelets with thick stacks of sculptural bangles after being inspired by these runway moments.” — Sierra Mayhew, associate editor

Sweater-Vests

“If you ask me, sweater-vests will make a comeback as a top fashionable clothing trend for fall 2024. They were prominently featured on the fall 2024 runways at shows like Prada, The Row, and Loewe, showcasing classic knit designs. While sweater-vests might seem intimidating to incorporate into your wardrobe, the key is to style them properly. On the runways, it was all about layering the sweater-vest over a patterned or solid-colored button-down shirt and pairing it with a midi skirt, baggy trousers, or slim pull-on pants. This created a stylish and sophisticated look that felt effortless, polished, and not at all costumey. The beauty of it all is that the designers highlighted how you can’t make a mistake when choosing between a cozy, thick cable-knit style and a delicate button-down version.” — Nikki Chwatt, associate editor