Fall Fashion: The Best Autumn Styles in Stores Now

Credit: H&M

Three fall trends in one look: Contrast collars, cozy sweaters and burgundy

Some of your key autumn purchases are in the shops now – so grab yourself a ladylike skirt, tall boots, a bold handbag, and a cozy cardi and get ahead of the shopping curve

The days of picking a first-day-of-school outfit are over for most of us, but that’s no reason to miss out on the thrills of fall fashion.

As the mornings/evenings get cooler and the days get shorter, fashion is pushing ahead with a rich colour palette and plenty of texture – both cozy and luxe.

Expect burgundy, evergreen, deep purple, navy, and goldenrod hues. Women’s fall fashion also features ladylike silhouettes along with luxurious brocades and lace. Sweater fans will have a hard time choosing between playful print knits and elegant cardigans. Handbags are making a statement with bold bursts of colour. And boots are inching upwards again: If you purchase a new season pair, go tall.

Here’s a lineup of fall fashion goodies in store now.

Mini Pant in Cabernet, $118,  J.Crew

Burgundy is the new black, and the Mini pant in cabernet is a great way to spice up staple trousers. The lines are sleek and flattering: slim through the hip, stopping at ankle length.

The wool viscose blend means you can wear these babies three times a week and they’ll spring back into that fresh-pressed look.

Knit Sweaters and Cardigans, Prices Vary, Front & Company

Front’s already showing off a fine and varied crop of new season knits. They’ve got two key looks: Witty novelty print sweaters with animals, landscapes scenes and even pop art-style cartoons; and warm-toned sparkly sweaters and cardis.

As we’ve come to expect from Front, most of these are a steal, hovering around $50.

Black Lace Fantasy Skirt, $59.90, Zara

Autumn is the time to choose a ladylike silhouette and Zara’s lace skirt provides the perfect combo of nipped waist and demure length. Bonus: The luxurious lace layer plays on fall’s love of rich details.
 

Mustard and Tan Southern Field Industries Haversack, $235, Lark & Co.

Neutral handbags are the antithesis of fall fashion. If it ain’t awash with eyeball-riveting colour, put it back in your closet. Lark has a particularly functional mustard and tan satchel.

If you’d like to take back-to-school chic even more literally, take a look at Vancouver-made backpacks by Herschel Supply Co. They come in bold colours with tan leather details, all for under $100.

Tall Pull On Boot, $325, Gravity Pope

Fall runways were full of tall black boots, often with 3-plus-inch high heels.

These tall boots by Gravity Pope’s in-house brand present a more wearable, yet equally chic, knee-skimming compromise.