As summer fades into the autumn season of golden leaves and Gilmore Girls, cozy fall fashion begins to seep its way back into our closets. For Summit students, cable-knit sweaters and comfy Uggs have become staples in everyday cold-weather outfits. But adding a trendy flare to your own personal style is sometimes just what is needed to elevate an outfit. To top off any wardrobe, here are three of the most popular fashion trends for this fall season.
Cheetah Print
First presented by Christian Dior on the runways in 1947, cheetah print has become a timeless pattern throughout the centuries, flaunted effortlessly by past and present icons like Marilyn Monroe and Hailey Bieber. While the style radiates luxury and wealth, its reputation for versatility throughout history makes it desirable for anyone to try out.
“I like cheetah print a lot just because that’s what my mom grew up on,” said Sierra Foss, a junior at Summit. “That’s how I really started getting into it and wearing it. Now my closet’s full.”
While incorporating the classic fashion into her own wardrobe, Foss emphasized that it’s important to pay attention to how the print can fit with your own distinctive style.
“If you’re more into streetwear, get [the print] in jeans or a shirt or a jacket, or something like that. If you’re more of a clean girl, then a scarf or a headband or a smaller shirt might work better,” said Foss.
Similarly, paying attention to the size of the print is crucial to styling it. The bigger the print, the more attention it will draw, making it a statement piece that has to be worn with a simpler outfit. Seen throughout Summit hallways, one common way to replicate this style is to wear a pair of bold, cheetah print jeans matched with a black shirt and black sambas. In contrast, the smaller the print, the more modest it becomes, perhaps displayed in a cheetah print tote bag or headscarf.
Worn either way, the addition of cheetah print to an outfit can enhance any style, adding an air of glamor long associated with the fearless pattern.
Pop of Red
While red has always been an integral part of fall fashion, the rise of aesthetics such as Stockholm style and Copencore have sparked interest in the new “pop of red” trend, as dubbed by Vogue Magazine. This fall season, the red tones are showcased through darker colors, burgundy and deep crimson being some of the more common shades. These richer colors create a lovely contrast against the more muted tones of styles like Copencore, perhaps leading to an outfit that showcases a vibrant red accessory.
As for how to style the “pop of red,” Summit junior Amelia Richards says she finds most of her inspiration from the Swedish designer, Matilda Djerf.
“I literally copy all of her outfits. It’s definitely European classy,” said Richards.
Paired with gold jewelry and neutral tones, Richards incorporates a “pop of red” by wearing a crimson sweater wrapped around her shoulders with matching suede shoes. These pieces help accessorize her simpler outfit without making it too loud.
“I wear black or white as the base, and then the red is the standout,” said Richards. “I like [red] in small doses.”
While the red tones associated with fall fashion this year may be more mild than in years past, the effect is still the same. Fashionable and cozy, red continues to add hints of warmth to any autumn outfit without sacrificing its reputation of elegance.
Chunky Belts
Unlike cheetah print or red accessories, which have stayed consistent as popular fall fashions, a new trend has been emerging this autumn. The rise of chunky belts poses the perfect opportunity for blending your individual style with a very different aesthetic to create something bold and new. Originally associated with country fashion, belts with large buckles or those adorned in studs and jewels, are now becoming popular in styles such as y2k and streetwear.
Marika Sowerby, a freshman at Summit, regularly sports an assortment of studded belts to accessorize her low-rise jeans. Her inspiration comes from the versatility of the outfits that can be worn with chunky belts. This allows unique personal styles to be elevated by the flare of country charm.
When shopping for chunky belts, valuing diversity is key because they come in so many different designs. While many fast fashion brands have tried to monopolize on the surge in interest by selling the most popular designs, Sowerby describes a fun alternative to buying the cliche, mass-produced belts.
“The random place to find belts is actually at yard sales. They always have really old cool ones that are vintage,” Sowerby said.
For Summit students, fun belts can also easily be thrifted by shopping at local places like Old Boy Vintage and Regroup.
Whether it be a daring flare of cheetah print, a bold belt or a relaxed “pop of red,” incorporating distinctive accessories into a wide variety of outfits can be just what is needed to feel confident in your closet. These three trends can be styled in so many ways, easily boosting any outfit without taking away from your own strong, individual fashion.
