There are two universal truths about fashion.
One: Big fashion houses and their designers will always steer the ship. Whether it’s Fall, Spring, or Resort, they determine what’s hot and what’s not—season after season, year after year.
Two: High-end fashion will always trickle down to high street ready-to-wear.
If you’re still fuzzy on the lifecycle of fashion, Miranda Priestly delivered a masterclass (with a side of sass) to Andy in the iconic cerulean sweater scene from The Devil Wears Prada. Sure, most of us aren’t “fishing” from clearance bins in the name of style, but we are regularly on the hunt for ways to work the latest trends into our closets—without laying waste to our finances.
So while Burberry whisked us to the countryside, Chanel brought us back to femininity, and Nina Ricci took us on safari for Fall 2025, most of us don’t have $3,000 lying around for Fendi leather shorts—we spent it on eggs over the past year.
But here’s another truth about fashion: with the help of the internet, fashion’s “trickle-down” is happening faster than ever. We don’t have to wait a few seasons to wear a version of what’s trending, we can do it now… with a little help from our friends (read: Amazon).
Here’s the best of Fall 2025, and a few great suggestions for updating your closet while staying on budget.
Countryside Chic
For Burberry’s Fall 2025 collection, designer Daniel Lee leaned on legacy. Taking inspiration from the English countryside and outdoors, models walked the runway in quilted jackets, updated versions of the brand’s iconic trench, and sleek rainwear. And as we might have guessed for fall, all of the above were featured in earthy colors and ornate patterns.
Get the look:
Cropped and casual for everyday wear, this trench coat is a show-stopping update to the Burberry trench we all know and love. For a night out on the town or your 9-to-5 at the office, something more traditional may be in order, and if you’re headed out to the farm, barn jackets and Hunter boots are back.
A Return To Femininity
When fashion week approaches, everyone has their eyes on the biggest names in the industry. This year, Chloé, Dior, Chanel, and Zimmermann did not disappoint. Coming down the runway, we saw a long-awaited return to the goddess — feminine details in all its glory. And like Burberry, Chanel paid homage to its legacy (aka all the things that continue to capture our hearts and minds) — bows, ribbons, pearls, and, of course, the camelia. Other high points include vintage lace and a palette of rich, jewel-toned autumn colors, ranging from deep green to aubergine.
Get the look:
Unless you’re thrifting, vintage lace may be hard to come by; however, this body-skimming dress is an affordable find with a vintage feel and lace details that are right on trend. If you’d rather not wait for a special occasion to wear the something lacey, this lace trim blouse and sweater with pearl details would make sweet additions to any wardrobe.
Purple Reigns Supreme
We can always count on black, brown, and navy to color fall runways, but this year, fashion houses like Altuzarra and Gucci hit us with a surprising yet refreshing splash of purple.
Get the look:
This buttoned-up sheath dress exudes polished sophistication, while this puff sleeve mini brings playful drama to the mix.
Preppy Academia
Since the 50’s, Preppy style has ebbed and flowed throughout fashion history. And while Brittany Spears’ take on preppy might have been a little more “school girl,” this year, designers like Tory Burch and fashion houses like Bally are back with a mature spin on the style. With sweater vests, cardigans, wool slacks, and striped shirts, preppy academia is back for Fall 2025.
Get the look:
For a preppy academia look, pair a sweater vest with wool slacks, or keep it casual with some trendy barrel leg jeans.
Slouch Meets Structure
Slouchy structure may be an oxymoron, but fashion houses like Balmain, Chanel, and Ferragamo elegantly pulled it off. Tod’s and Balmain showed handbags with a little structure and a lot of slouch, while Zimmermann and Chanel made us swoon for 1986-ish saggy boots.
Get the look:
This slouchy but structured hobo would be a chic addition to your fall accessory lineup — bonus points for its suede-like feel and purple hue.
Old Money Leather
While Tom Ford showed long leather coats for Fall 2025, Fendi and Hermès offered more wearable ideas for the trend with leather shorts and dresses (well, as wearable as Fendi and Hermès can be).
Get the look:
Fall is prime time for leather everything, and while you may have to hold off for a few more weeks, these faux leather shorts are kind of adorable. And if leather shorts feel a bit too vampy, this faux leather dress is an elegant take on the trend, perfect for the office or late outings.
On Safari
While 2024 had us seeing spots with leopard prints, it looks like fashion is taking us on safari again. This time, it’s graphic zebra stripes courtesy of fashion houses like Nina Ricci and Balmain.
Get the look:
Summer and its high temperatures are exiting the stage slowly with a few too many encores, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait to flaunt the latest in fall fashion. Case in point: this adorable zebra-striped top is a fantastic way to earn your stripes — without overheating.
Fashion may start on the runways of New York, Paris, and Milan, but thanks to the information superhighway, it’s easier than ever to capture the spirit of high fashion without the high price tag.
At the end of the day, you don’t need a designer budget to dress the part — just a keen eye, some styling savvy — oh, and maybe a Prime membership.
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