Trends come and go, and with each new season, there’s a new “it” item, be it shoes, handbags, or even hem-lengths. And if you’re a fall fashion fan, as I am, you may be overwhelmed when trying to incorporate all of the exciting up-and-coming trends for the season. Usually, I find it best to pick one or two of the most common trends and see what items I already have that capture the aesthetic. Here is a rundown of some trendy styles making the rounds this season.

First, the number one color of autumn 2023 is red! Just about every trend report and runway has red for fall, and the best part is you probably already have red in your wardrobe. Of course, not all reds are on trend. You want to steer clear of anything too reminiscent of holiday garb but instead lean into a bold and vibrant red. I love the idea of a little red dress or LRD for autumn. You can wear it casually with tights, boots, and a cardigan, or dress it up with hose, heels, and a blazer. Right now, both Old Navy and J.Crew are featuring dresses on sale. I’m eyeing up the latter’s sleeveless ribbed sweater dress in classic cardinal and the former’s V-neck tiered mini swing dress in scarlet. Of course, the great thing about the red trend is that it’s not just limited to clothes; you can experiment with red via lipstick or nail polish.

You can’t have fall without back-to-school, and this year, the collegiate aesthetic is very much back in style. Think striped blazers, varsity jackets, pleated skirts, and penny loafers. Right now, Target’s designer collaboration with Rowing Blazers has academia-inspired garb for the whole family: rugby shirts, plaid pants, crisp button-downs, and oversized shawl-collar cardigans. Of course, this trend can skew a bit young. A middle-aged mom of two doesn’t necessarily want to look like she’s crossing the quad, even if she’s doing a school run. I’d approach this trend with caution and mix in some denim with your tweed to balance out the look. Pair your insignia blazer with jeans or a mid-length school-uniform-inspired skirt with a chambray button-down. Again, try to avoid a head-to-toe ivy prep outfit.

Another school-related trend this season are old-school ladylike top-handle bags. A hard-shell, structured purse is a great way to add polish to your autumnal look. They can be leather, mock crock, or even acrylic for some Art Deco flair. Nordstrom, Amazon, and Etsy all have top-handled square bags, but for my money, I really prefer a vintage buy. Or better yet, a vintage borrow! It may be time to check out Grammy’s attic for some truly old-school classic handbags this season.

From bags to shoes, this fall is seeing ballet flats and Mary Janes trending. You can double down on this style with Lucky Brand’s Emjane Mary Jane ballet flat from DSW. Or go with a classic like Sam Edelman’s Tahira Mary Jane block heel, with a double-strap and square toe for a 60’s Mod feel. For basic flats, I need some functionality along with fashion, which can be found with Allbirds’ Tree Breezers flat that is made from renewable materials, is machine washable, and conforms to your feet, all while being sleek and available in a variety of colors.

For outwear, longline coats are this season’s stylish go-to. Whether streamlined or oversized, a longer overcoat has underlying functionality while also giving off a refined and sophisticated yet understated style. H&M’s Tie Belt coat in black, light beige, grey, or light brown is giving all of the fall feels, especially when paired with a turtleneck and loose trousers. Macy’s also has a wide selection of longer-length coats. I’m loving Michael Kor’s Single-Breasted Coat as well as Calvin Klien’s Belted Faux-Leather trench for an edgy take to fall fashion.

Lastly, for accessories, you have dramatic earrings, which is a trend you can get a lot of mileage from with little effort. You can completely change up the feel of a look with modern sculptural earrings or oversized dangling earrings. A tee and jeans outfit can go from casual to fun with a pair of conversation-starter earrings. For fall, the quirkier, the better, I say. Check out the novelty earrings on offer at ModCloth or browse Etsy for some craft-inspired earbobs. Save the gold and silver for the holidays.

Again, you may already have items in your wardrobe that speak to these trends, so best to do a closet clean out before making a shopping list if fall fashion is in your budget. For my part, I’ll be thrifting for a top-handle bag and some red corduroy while wearing my black ballet flats, jeans, a tweedy blazer, and some clip-on earrings.