Fashion Editors’ Top 6 Fall Trends

At Who What Wear, we’re always thinking about next season, especially when it comes to the coolest trends on the way and how future shopping will fit into it. After studying all the looks from the Fall/Winter 2024 collections in March, we narrowed down nine trends we predict will define fashion for the rest of the year. With fall fast approaching, we wanted to ask our team of fashion editors what they’re noticing right now and what exact trends they plan on shopping first.

Some selections matched our initial predictions, like funnel-neck outerwear, buttery leather, and elegant cropped cigarette pants. Other pieces fell off the original list but are likely to become just as mainstream in the coming months. Here are the six best trends to buy first for fall, according to Who What Wear editors.

Funnel neck outerwear

“We’re still obsessed with the funnel-neck silhouette that hit the fall runways. Designers like Proenza Schouler, Victoria Beckham and Burberry showed off gorgeous funnel-neck outerwear, and we think it’s the chicest coat style of the season. You can wear it with literally anything underneath (like a simple sweater and jeans), and this statement coat will take your look to the next level.” — Shopping Director Bobby Schussler

Cropped trousers

“I always find buying an entirely new outfit for fall a bit impractical, so when I remembered seeing a few cropped or high-water pants on the fall runways, I decided to buy some. Not only is this trend wearable, but it’s already in my closet thanks to the popularity of capri pants earlier this summer. Above-the-ankle crops feel bold to me, especially when paired with Altuzarra-esque almond-toe pumps.” — Ana Escalante, Assistant Shopping Editor

Buttery Leather

“When it comes to fall trends, to me, nothing beats leather. Sure, the exact iterations of a trend may change every year or two, but the essence of the piece remains the same—and leather is one worth investing in. Durable and buttery soft, leather is a timeless piece. Plus, whether you choose a jacket, coat, dress, or gloves, leather really elevates any outfit.” — Nicole Eshaghpour, Editor-in-Chief

Fur jackets and coats

“I bought a Frankie Shop faux fur jacket late last winter (order it before it sells out again), so I was happy to see a lot of faux fur on the Fall/Winter 2024 runways. Faux fur can look incredibly elegant when paired with other sophisticated pieces. Gigi Hadid’s Miu Miu fall look is a great example. My advice is to invest in a chocolate brown coat because it will look the most luxurious. Buy soon, as the best ones will sell out fast.” — Alison Payer, Senior Editor

Bangle Bracelets

“For a long time, I thought of bangles as a dated trend from the forgotten 2000s. When I first got into the trend, I bought my jewelry from stores like Claire’s, so these pieces just faded in my closet and remained as little more than memories. When I saw designers like Schiaparelli and Dior proudly wearing layered gold bracelets at recent runway shows, I was intrigued. Whenever I want to dress up, I like to be inspired by runway moments and pair a thin gold bracelet with a chunky, sculptural bangle.” — Sierra Mayhew, Associate Editor

Sweater vest

“If you ask me, sweater vests will make a comeback as a top fashion trend for Fall 2024. Sweater vests featured prominently on the Fall 2024 runways of Prada, The Row, Loewe, and more, which showcased classic knit designs. While working a sweater vest into your wardrobe might seem like a daunting task, it’s all about styling it right. On the runways, it was all about layering sweater vests over patterned or solid button-down shirts and pairing them with midi skirts, baggy pants, or slim pull-on pants. This created a stylish and polished look that was effortless, sophisticated, and not at all costumey. The beauty of all this is that designers emphasized that whether you opt for a cozy chunky cable-knit style or a delicate button-down version, you can’t go wrong.” — Nikki Chawat, Associate Editor