Fall Trends: Fashion On A Budget
In the beginning…
The first New York Fashion Week was held in 1943 by then press director of the New York Dress Institute, Eleanor Lambert. It was the world’s first organized fashion week, termed “Press Week” at the time, and Ms. Lambert states that she created it during WWII, when it was challenging to travel to Paris to see French fashion shows. Since then, New York has multiplied its one week into two, holding one event in Spring, and one just before Fall, perfectly timed to send us into sweater weather, and giving us a glance at the trending accessories for the upcoming season.
There were coats…
Undoubtedly, one of the most prized items of Fall’s NYFW are the coats. I personally love a layer, and on most days prefer a light coat and sweater combo to my cutoffs and a tank (judge me if you want to). Last year I purchased this timeless oversized black coat from UNIQLO and happily wrapped myself in it whenever the temperature dropped to anything below 70 degrees. Who wouldn’t want to commute around the city looking like an Olsen Twin in your grandfather’s smoking jacket? I digress. This year on the runway, zebra stripes showed up more than a few times, with bold patterned looks like these from Phillip Lim and Coach. Another Fall favorite, capes, had a few appearances, my favorite being this utilitarian-leaning design from Derek Lam. Lastly, and another favorite of mine, was this wonderfully oversized corduroy jacket by Ulla Johnson.
And the coats went with jewelry…
I love to mismatch earrings. It’s an easy way to add a very personal touch to your look, and you can be (almost) positive that nobody you run into will be rocking the same combination of jewelry as you. Sidenote, if you find this person, make them your best friend. It was a highlight of this season’s show for me, to see so many designers putting together differently colored and sized pieces, dangling from the models’ ears. One of my favorites was this pair of sculpturally-inspired abstracts from Hellessy. Another power move that I favor is the single, long-dangling earring. Tory Burch designed hers this year with blue and rose colored gems, and Prabal Gurung crafted this colorful, geometric-inspired piece.
And the jewelry went with shoes…
Boots could be my middle name. It tends not to be the consequence of the season but more of my mood when I choose not if, but which boots I’ll wear for my day. These yellow, wedge-heeled boots from Coach 1941 made me want to get out my tights and leather skirt immediately. I’m also a sucker for a solid platform. While these beauties from Tibi appear to be a Spring or Summer shoe because of so much exposure, I say throw on a light, bright sock and call it a night on the town.
And with the trends came a budget…
If all of these runway trends are getting you excited, while simultaneously forcing you to reflect on your bank account or monthly income, you’re not alone. Looking at the Fall NYFW trends is a great way to gather inspiration and then get crafty about creating your own looks or sourcing similar pieces from more reasonably priced retailers. Look at our article about sustainable fashion to learn more about practices that yield a great outfit at a minimal cost. Glamour made this excellent guide for Fall 2019’s Best Fashion Trends Under $100, with everything from statement sleeves to power suits, and even an “All Leather Everything” section and where to shop for each piece. This guide is a great resource for stocking up on some essentials for the season. In the end, my Fall favorites tend to be smart layers, and classic pieces that can be mixed and matched. And on any given day, you’ll find me in my favorite boots and a classic Levi’s jean jacket.
