Sure, maybe we haven’t even really started wearing spring’s trends yet, but fashion waits for no woman. We know it can be tough to keep track of what season starts when and which trends go with what season, so we’re laying it out for you. This fall, you’re going to see a lot of spring’s trends getting recycled, only with ever-so-subtle changes in color, texture and mood. The retro vibe of past seasons is still going strong, with menswear-inspired looks following suit (see what we did there?). Wanna know what else is in store? We’re sharing 12 must-try runway trends for this fall.
1. Statement Sweaters: Sweaters, especially oversized ones, blew up last fall and this spring, with almost every collection featuring a few of the cold weather staples. For fall 2015, sweaters feel more safe than groundbreaking, with a few tweaks. Designers like Nicholas K and Adam Lippes looked to statement-making embellishments like shaggy fringe and furry shoulder pads to make them stand out. (photo via Courtesy Adam Lippes)
2. Turtlenecks: Frilly ruffled necklines, understated mock necks and sexy sheer illusion tops go full throttle for fall, getting reworked into cold weather-worthy turtlenecks. From oversized to cable knit and everything in between, this age-old style was a runway favorite with J.Crew, DKNY, Opening Ceremony and Misha Nonoo. The key to rocking this look come fall? Try layering it under a shift dress — we love that hot pink! (photo via Jemal Countess/Getty)
3. Lace-Up Knee-High Boots: Gladiator sandals seem to reinvent themselves every year for the spring season, which just goes to show: If it works, why mess with it? For fall, knee-high lace-up boots fill in where the gladiators leave off. They have a more Victorian feel than their sandal counterparts with pointed toes and high heels, but offer an interesting, cool-weather alternative to the stylish summer stepper. (photo via Neilson Barnard/Getty)
4. Retro Shades With Contemporary Flair: Fashion is having a major déjà vu moment right now, and it isn’t just the clothes. Accessories are on a retro kick too. Groovy round shades may be a fave for spring, but come fall, mod styles with a contemporary twist like those seen at Karen Walker are slated to become the sunglasses of choice. (photo via Albert Urso/Getty)
5. Eccentric Fur Toppers: Ever since Pharrell donned that outrageous vintage Vivienne Westwood hat last year at the Grammys, the fashion world has gone a little hat crazy. Similar styles (and even wackier ones) were popping up everywhere, and the trend continues with fall, introducing us to a slew of fur toppers that lumberjacks, sherpas and even Vikings would love. This eccentric chapeau by Anna Sui, with its oversized tassels and pouf, takes the cake. (photo via Slaven Vlasic/Getty)
6. Fur: Designers and street style stars have fallen hard for shearling and mohair over the last couple seasons, but this fall, they’ve shifted gears, leaving behind the edgy leather and shearling jackets for something with a little more pizazz. Enter fur. From Altuzarra’s pink confenction of a coat to countless stoles, hats and muffs (plus one crazy awesome Rodarte bomber jacket with a furry collar), fur, both faux and real, was everywhere. (photo via Neilson Barnard/Getty)
7. Folklore: Fashion’s love affair with the ’60s and ’70s went bohemian for spring, with designers churning out airy floral dresses, fringe-flecked everything and feathery, layered necklaces. Boho gets reworked for a more folksy feel for fall. Folk-art prints adorned fit-and-flare dresses at Honor, while we spotted pieced-together leather looks at BCBG. Nicole Miller also revealed a mythical illustration-inspired collection. (photo via JP Yim/Getty)
8. Long Layers: Crop tops are spring essentials, but we found fall runways to be the opposite, with long layers (think midi skirt + extra long sweater + coat) dominating the runway at DKNY, Creatures of Comfort and Edun. (photo via Neilson Barnard/Getty)
9. Fall Florals: Crazy bright blooms and psychedelic flora gets turned down a notch for fall. Autumn’s floral prints are more muted (Suno) or set against dark backdrops (Adam Lippes) to highlight the shift in season. (photo via Courtesy of Adam Lippes)
10. Disco Diva: Tailored separates, toned-down bell-bottoms and other more sophisticated ’70s styles were the direction designers took for spring. But fall sees a bit more Studio 54 than in seasons past, and that means glittering getups with plunging necklines and Rodarte’s leather hot pants giving us a bit of disco fever. (photo via Neilson Barnard/Getty)
11. Contemporary Masculine Suits: Impeccably tailored suits with an undeniably retro vibe were the sophisticated silhouette of choice for spring. This fall, the suit will take a step away from the ’70s and reemerge as an extension of the menswear-inspired trend, with a more masculine fit and contemporary details, as seen at Yigal Azrouel. Of course, a few flashback styles remain, like Michael Kors’ relaxed gray tweed suit and Diane von Furstenberg’s ’90s-inspired power suit. (photo via Jemal Countess/Getty)
12. Plaid: Playful, girly gingham gets a rugged upgrade for fall, ditching the pastel hues for autumn-appropriate shades and bigger, bolder patterns. Alexander Wang broke up his all-black collection with a jacket or two in the classic pattern, while Kate Spade played with different styles and colors that ranged from the lumberjack to preppy navy and cream-colored prints. (photo via Cindy Ord/Getty)
What trends are you feelin’ for fall? Tell us in the comments!
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.