10 Trends We’re Retiring for Fall and What We’re Wearing Instead

Fall is the time of year that every fashion person looks forward to. Think of New York Fashion Week as the fashion industry’s version of New Year’s Eve. It is an exciting beginning to the next chapter of fashion. For editors who spend most of their time pondering which trends are going to be worth bringing into a new year, this becomes the perfect moment to do a quick closet clean-out, saying goodbye to the old and hello to the new. Now that August is in full swing, we editors at Who What Wear are fully in a fall mindset despite the blazing temperatures. Reviewing runway shows and meeting with designers, we’re on a mission to find the trends we need to know about right now.

I couldn’t think of a better time to ask my coworkers what fall trends from last year they aren’t expecting to carry over to next season, and they had a lot to say. Every time I open social media, I have quite the flurry of fall trends thrown my way, and I can’t wait to find out which ones will take over first. In the meantime, I have the thoughtful predictions from my coworkers. Below, find out which fall trends editors are bringing into fall and which ones they aren’t as excited about.

Pausing: Floor-Sweeping Skirts

Loving: Lace and Sequined Skirts

“I really believe boho is going to be big this fall thanks to Chemena Kamali at Chloé, and I’m predicting a major resurgence of skirts so long they sweep the floor. While I consider myself a skirt enthusiast, I just don’t love how a skirt that long looks on me because I have a particularly long torso. Instead, I’m going to lean into the boho look this fall by wearing lace and sequined skirts and sometimes playing with layering shorter skirts on top. It still very much feels of the ‘flower child’ genre with the bold texture and dimension but in a way that feels more me.”

Cecilie Bahnsen Ariana Skirt

Tory Burch Corded Lace Skirt

Twp Sylkie Midi Skirt

Pausing: Pointed-Toe Shoes

Loving: Square-Toe Shoes

“I hate to say it, but I’m opting out of pointed-toe shoes this fall. I have so many pairs, ranging from flats to heels to boots, but square-toe shoes are all over my fall mood board. They exude the same sleekness as pointed-toe shoes while adding an eclectic touch to an outfit.”

Sézane Paulette Low Boots

Linea Paolo Saylor Square Toe Boot

Reformation Frederique Knee High Boot

Pausing: Small Hoops

Loving: Statement Earrings

“There’s always a time and place for diamond huggies and small gold hoops, but this fall, I’m planning to embrace the statement-earring trend. When the fall/winter 2025 collections were shown in February, we saw this chunky accessory at brands such as Saint Laurent, Alaïa, Miu Miu, and Givenchy in designs ranging from large gold vintage-inspired studs to mixed-metal floral-shaped earrings. The wide variety of styles means I can’t go wrong when shopping for a pair and choosing which to wear when getting dressed.”

Heaven Mayhem Prize Earrings

Éliou Scallop Earrings

Mejuri Organic Dôme Mixed Pebble Earrings

Pausing: Riding Boots

Loving: Sexy Stiletto Boots

“Trust me. I’ve tried, but I can’t quite integrate riding boots into my fall shoe rotation. I’m someone who needs a heel, even if it’s tiny, to make any outfit feel complete, and this particular boot trend’s ultra-flat sole just doesn’t cut it for me. I’ve owned so many pairs, and they always end up gathering dust in the back of my closet. I don’t know if I’d consider its replacement a trend, but I love sexy stiletto boots—knee-high, of course—with a sock-like fit. They look great with skirts and dresses, and you can easily wear them underneath jeans and trousers since they don’t add any bulk.”

Saint Laurent Francoise Boots

Schutz Mikki Up Boot

MANOLO BLAHNIK Pamfilo 90 Stretch-Suede Knee Boots

Pausing: Sweater Vests

Loving: Polo-Neck Cardigans

“While I’m not discounting the preppy aesthetic, it’s become clear that sweater vests, especially when paired with pleated skirts, are not for me. A trend in a similar vein that I’ll probably be placing an order for before fall arrives is polo-neck cardigans. Tip: Leave a couple of buttons at the top and bottom undone for more of a rebellious preppy look.”

Reformation Florentina Cashmere Collared Cardigan

MORE TO COME Bandy Button Front Sweater

j.crew Collared Button-Up Sweater

Pausing: Knit Dresses

Loving: Lace-Trim Slip Dresses

“Although knit dresses used to have a regular spot in my fall outfit rotation, I’ve reached for them less and less each year. Now, looking ahead to fall, I’ve lost all desire to wear them. Instead, I’m shifting my focus to lace-trim slip dresses that have much more longevity throughout the rest of the year but are an ideal layering piece to pair with sweaters and leather jackets in the fall.”

STELLA MCCARTNEY Lace-Trimmed Satin-Crepe Dress

Kimchi Blue Dipped in Lace Satin Slip Midi Dress

A.L.C. Lennon Dress

Pausing: Silver Shoes

Loving: Ballet Flats

“While I do think the silver-shoe trend is cute, I’m currently wanting black ballet flats I can wear over and over and not get sick of. I’ve been looking for a pair of Repetto’s sold-out Camille flats for months now, but vintage Prada Sport is top of mind too.”

Manolo Blahnik Veralli Leather Ballet Flats

Maison Margiela Tabi Ballerina Flat

LE MONDE BERYL Luna Leather Ballet Flats

Pausing: Solid Basic Scarves

Loving: Colorful and Printed Scarves

“I’m going to give my solid basic scarves a break this season in favor of colorful, printed scarves. I’m totally inspired by the beautiful scarves we just saw in Michael Rider’s debut Celine collection.”

Versace Underwater Barocco Silk Square Scarf

BRUNELLO CUCINELLI Fringed Striped Mohair-Blend Scarf

madewell Medium Silk Bandana

Pausing: Ballet Flats

Loving: Chunky Clogs

“Ballet flats will forever hold a special place in my closet, but this fall, I’m embracing this ’70s-inspired shoe trend instead—chunky clogs. Practical yet fashionable, the platform elevates any look (literally by two or so inches). The rich tan and saddle of the smooth leather beautifully match autumn’s changing leaves. Though my ballet flats will return at some point, the spotlight is on clunky clogs for now. I’ll be wearing this slide-in style all season long, pairing it with dark-wash jeans or a Chloé-esque boho-chic ensemble.”

Chloé Jeannette Leather Platform Clogs

Jeffrey Campbell Content Suede Clog

CHLOÉ Jeannette Embellished Leather Clogs

A.EMERY Louis Suede Clogs

Pausing: Animal Prints

Loving: Polka Dots

I’m not saying animal prints are out—they never truly will be—but last fall will always be remembered to me as the season that was all about leopard-print everything. I bought the pants and had fun, but now, looking toward fall 2025, I’m going to be reaching for polka dots more often than ever. The print won’t fully push animal prints out of my wardrobe, but it sure will be taking center stage. I can’t wait to see how I’ll style it.

SANS FAFF Eden Poplin Skirt

Free People Laverne Set

Reformation Zani Dress