Fall Fashion Roundup

Fall 2014 fashion is all about warmth, coziness and comfort—with some ethnic influences and a little sparkle thrown in for good measure. The majority of designers sent models down the runway swathed in oversized outerwear, super-soft knits, plush fabrics and faux fur. While themes ranged from ’60s mod to country-and-western, relaxed silhouettes and earthy colors reigned supreme throughout most lines.

Here, a breakdown of the top 10 trends you might want to try this season.

1. Robe Coats. As seen above, bathrobe-inspired coats emerged as the top outwear pick for fall. But don’t get us wrong. These babies are too chic to be worn as housecoats and too versatile to be mistaken for smoking jackets. Designers like Chloe, Richard Chai Love and Altuzarra presented roomy, comfortable shapes with contrasting-color belts that amp up the sophistication. Throw your favorite version over one of the season’s super-soft sweaters and cinch at the waist. Heading out into the brisk fall afternoon has never been more relaxed. For more robe-inspired coats, visit Red Typewriter’s Pinterest Page. 

All Warm and Fuzzy: The Row’s  “Fozzie Bear” moment.

2. Oversize Sweaters. OK, so The Row (fashion house of the Olsen twins, see above) perhaps went a tad overboard—do we really want to leave the house looking like a teddy bear? But the general idea is a sweet one: lots of plush fabric to keep us snuggly warm. Gareth Pugh, Sarah Burton and Peter Pilotto also introduced oversized silhouettes, including over-the-top sweaters, looser-than-loose coats, and ridiculously gigantic turtlenecks. No worries about overdoing it yourself, though, because most brands are offering scaled-back versions of these biggies; visit Red Typewriter’s Pinterest Page for shopping ideas.

Muppet Babies: Lanvin, Giorgio Armani, Donna Karan, Milly NY, Calvin Klein, Gucci

3. Fun Fur. Not just Fozzie, but also Elmo, Grover and perhaps even Miss Piggy come to mind when one looks at the range of faux (and real) fur options this fall. Pimped-out versions of your basic throw-over-a-dress jacket are everywhere, as are fuzzy sweaters, purses, boots and other brightly colored pieces. Marni, Chanel and Fendi were just some of the designers who embraced this costume-y aesthetic, and the look has quickly trickled down to major retail brands. So get your fur fix while the trend is hot. For more furry fashion pieces, visit Red Typewriter’s “Muppet Babies” Pinterest page.

It’s a Mod, Mod World: Valentino, Ralph Lauren, Desigual, Louis Vuitton, Alice + Olivia, Gucci

4. Mod Squad. The swinging ’60s are back, a whopping seven seasons after Mad Men first started airing. This time around, designers like Valentino, Gucci and Saint Laurent are opting for the graphic prints, flattering A-line silhouettes and sexy micro-mini lengths of the decade’s second half. Footwear follows suit with knee-high go-go boots, block-heel pumps and Chelsea booties rounding out this fun, flirty look. For more swinging silhouettes, visit Red Typewriter’s “It’s a Mod, Mod World” Pinterest page.

Ride ‘Em, Cowgirl: Cushnie-et-Ochs, Tibi, Philip Plein, Kenneth Cole, Chanel

5. Modern Western. Looks like we’re riding the western trend once again, cowgirls. Designers such as Kenneth Cole, Tibi and Cushnie et Ochs outfitted their models in felt hats with wide brims, plaid shirts and, of course, studded cowboy boots. But when Naomi Campbell strutted down the runway at Philip Plein in a leather bandeau and skinny jeans, we knew the look would be a taking a sultrier turn this season. So go ahead, embrace those western-inspired cropped tops and bustiers, because the range has gotten a lot hotter. Visit our Pinterest pages for more accessible western fashions, or for some cute plaid looks.

Norse Code: Tommy Hilfiger, Burberry, Rag & Bone, Emilio Pucci

6. Norse Code. If you liked the way the movie Frozen romanticized the Nordic region, you’ll dig the Scandinavian-inspired attire hitting the market right now. Fair Isle prints, chunky sweaters and oversized hats are all the rage, with designers including Tommy Hilfiger, Burberry, Rag & Bone and Emilio Pucci churning out lots of wintery silhouettes and fabrics. If you’re heading out for a ski weekend, rely on a fringe-trimmed poncho or soft knit separates to keep you toasty.

7. Fashionable Sneaks. Yeah, yeah, athletic-inspired footwear has been a fashion mainstay for a couple of years now. But this fall it’s clear the trend is here to stay. From Karl Lagerfeld’s sparkly interpretation for Chanel, to DKNY’s more minimalistic take, the sneaker has made its way into almost every collection this season, with slip-on styles the most recent darling. These sporty looks are perfect for punctuating the season’s fancy new sweats and easy-breezy dresses. Visit our Pinterest sneaker board for inspiration.

8. Over-The-Knee Boots. This sassy silhouette has come in and out of fashion, but this autumn, over-the-knee boots are a sure thing. And they’re nothing like the thigh-high, street-walking nightmare Julia Roberts strutted around in during Pretty Woman. From Jimmy Choo’s sleek stretch version to Alexander Wang’s tough-girl look, this style pairs beautiful with a simple sheath or oversized sweater dress, or lends instant street cred to a pair of skinnies or leggings. Visit our Pinterest page for some beautiful over-the-knee options. By the way, if you’re petite and think you can’t wear this style, think again! See our sampling of celebs under 5-foot-3 who are rocking over-the-knee boots like nobody’s business.

Going Gray: Chado Ralph Rucci, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Giorgio Armani, Michael Kors, Marchesa

9. Gray Matter. By now, every hue in the rainbow has had its turn being called the new black, but gray will forever truly hold this coveted spot in the fashion universe. Black’s official understudy is everywhere this fall, from larger-than-life fur coats to suede over-the-knee boots, to classic tailored dresses and coats. And don’t forget those glorious evening gowns, which are coming in a range of shades (perhaps 50?), from taupe to gunmetal. Considering how versatile and flattering this color is, there’s absolutely no reason not to go gaga over gray. For more inspiration, visit Red Typewriter’s Pinterest page.

Shine Bright Like a Diamond: Milly NY, Dries Van Noten, Marc Jacobs, Chanel, KaufmanFranco, Alice + Olivia

10. All-Over Sparkle. With the holidays just around the corner, some shimmer is definitely in order, and designers like Marc Jacobs, Chanel and Dries Van Noten are providing us with lots of glittery glamour. However, this season it’s all about head-to-toe sparkle, not just a little bit here and there. Fashion houses have taken a shine to gowns, sweater-and-skirt sets, long dresses and suits, as well as shoes, handbags and other accessories. Check out the shimmering looks on our Pinterest page—and come back often, because we’re adding new styles by the day.

Happy fall shopping! What are you buying this autumn?