13 Fall Fashion Trends to Skip and What to Wear Instead, According to Stylists

There is so much noise out there about what kind of fashion staples we should take with us into fall and all sorts of trending styles we should embrace. Rather than running in circles, trying to put together an exciting fall capsule wardrobe, or adding statement pieces here and there, we enlisted the help of fashion professionals in order to sort through the clutter.

We asked six different fashion stylists what fall trends were worth chasing and what we should ditch. They shared exactly what they're telling their clients and how to style these must-have pieces for the chillier season.

Stylist-Approved Fall Wardrobe Staples

• Lillusory Oversized Turtleneck Sweater, $35 (was $60)
• Belle Poque Wide-Leg Pants, $41 with coupon (was $60)
• Cicy Bell Fitted Blazer, $54 with coupon (was $59)
• Zando Bomber Jacket, $36
• Saodimallsu Collared Striped Sweater, $23 with coupon (was $32)
• Wiholl Sheer-Sleeved Sweater, $16 with coupon (was $28)
• Vfdb Mary Jane Ballet Flat Mules, $19
• Allegra K Faux Suede Jacket, $54 (was $58)

Don't: Pretty Pink

Do: Shades of Burgundy and Bordeaux

It’s time we “leave pink in the past,” according to Emmy Award winning stylist Brenda Cooper. “Color, more than design or fabric, is the most essential aspect of your appearance, as it is what we see first,” she explains. “Let’s sweep into fall with some classy and ladylike tones of pink but in darker shades like burgundy or Bordeaux. Try a comfy, roomy giant burgundy or Bordeaux turtleneck sweater and pair it with your favorite blue or black jeans and boots.”

Don't: Skinny Jeans

Do: Wide-Leg Pants

Cooper also insists you "bid skinny jeans a fine farewell." She tells us, "Farewell skinnies and welcome flattering, comfortable, and stylish wide-legged pants for fall 2024. Everybody can wear a wide-legged pant, regardless of height, shape, or size. If you're on the more petite side, wear them with a block-heeled boot or heeled loafer, which is all the rage this season. For the taller girls, wear with a chunky loafer, white sneaker or flat or heeled bootie, a turtleneck and a cropped leather jacket."

Don't: Oversized Blazers

Do: Tailored Blazers

Oversized blazers are being taken over by their more fitted counterparts. "If you're interested in entering fall as the empowered woman I know you are or want to be and want to celebrate your feminine side with class and elegance, there is no better way than with a great blazer with a strong shoulder line, great collar, and shaped at the waist," Cooper states.

Don't: Heavy Shackets

Do: Cropped Jackets

Style expert Tara West wants you to give the popular shackets a break for a more flattering alternative. “Cropped jackets are making a bold statement this season, adding an element of edge to any ensemble with their sleek and tailored fits,” she asserts. “The shorter length is perfect for layering, providing some dimension and style without overwhelming your look. The shacket, a once popular hybrid of shirt and jacket, now feels bulky and outdated. This year, the focus is shifting towards more structured, fitted pieces that complement the updated fall aesthetic.”

Don't: Long Cardigans

Do: Striped Sweaters

"Striped sweaters are a must-have for fall, adding a fun yet classic pattern to any cool-weather outfit," West insists. "Classic striped, thick, wide, thin, and mixed stripe patterns in rich colors work as versatile pieces and can be styled casually with your denim or dressed up with your favorite separates. Long cardigans, on the other hand, are losing their charm, often feeling bulky and out of place in modern fall looks. This season, it's all about bold, structured knits, leaving oversized layers behind."

Don't: Bulky Layers

Do: Sheer Details

According to style consultant Shari Braendel, you should take a new approach to layering. “Sheer details were featured in every designer fashion show this fall, but since most of us can’t wear a completely see-through blouse to the office, opt for a stylish tee with sheer sleeves to embrace this top fall trend in a more practical way,” she advises. “Avoid overdoing the sheer look by pairing it with too many other bold or revealing pieces. Keep the focus on the sheer details by balancing them with more structured or modest pieces for a chic and polished look. This top puts a playful twist on the trend with its patterned sleeves and beautifully rich, earthy caramel shade.”

Don't: Head-to-Toe Color

Do: Pops of Color

“Red is still the color for fall but we are seeing more as an accent,” explains expert Dawn Del Russo. “Think of bringing in the pop of color with a pair of red mules, or a handbag. Style it with a pair of light-wash baggy jeans and a white tee for a fresh take on the trend. You can also do a pop of color with an all-black outfit. Or try it with a denim-on denim look with shoes that finish the statement.”

Don't: Basic Brown

Do: Suede Brown