Batten down the hatches, it’s the best time of year. Well, in my opinion. I personally love fall more than any other season, in part because of all the wonderful and exciting things I get to wear. Luxe trenches, cozy cashmere, soft leather bags. All of it has me feeling increasingly comfortable and confident.
Clothes have this incredible ability to transform your mood and even the way you see yourself. I think your fashion sense is such an important part of your identity. It takes time to nurture, and it grows and evolves as you do.
I also believe deeply in power dressing (see below for a runway recap where Mugler also takes on the art of power dressing) and being intentional with your style. It seems like we’ve become deeply committed to this idea of a frictionless, effortless life, and particularly to never looking like we’re trying too hard. As if we all independently arrive at being good at something, looking great, or having taste without any work behind it. Perhaps it’s a reaction to the girlboss era of the 2010s, or the constant surveillance of social media repackaged as the fear of being cringe. Whatever the reason, I’m increasingly uninterested in pretending I don’t care.
There is power in caring. There is power in putting in effort. You can say so much, or so little, with what you wear, all while using fashion to power you through some of the most difficult moments of your life. And as the world seems bleaker by the day, sometimes the answer, if only for today, is to put on a beautiful outfit and boldly reclaim your power.
With that, here’s what I’m looking forward to wearing for fall 2026. These are by no means trends, but rather the pieces, styles, and ideas I’m personally excited about. And if you’re looking for fall fragrance or home scent recommendations, I’ve got you covered there too.
Happy fall, babes!
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The Bell-Bottom Agenda
In my ongoing quest to push myself outside of my comfort zone, I’m trying to wear more pants. It started with this incredible pair from Baacal, so naturally I’m extending the experiment to jeans. Particularly jeans that feel explicitly 70s. I’m talking full bell-bottoms.
I spent a lot of the spring rewatching The Rachel Zoe Project, and it’s fair to say her very 70s-inspired style has gotten to me. There’s also my ongoing Kyle Richards cosplay. That woman is almost always in some type of bootcut or bell-bottom pant, usually denim at that, and apparently I am susceptible to influence.
I found this pair from Good American, and I’m pretty happy with the fit. I love the idea of styling them with a pussy-bow blouse, chunky heels, a moto jacket, and maybe some kind of cool scarf. I also think a double-denim moment with a fitted denim vest in a contrasting wash could be very Charlie’s Angels. Hot, a little campy, and very much outside my usual comfort zone.
Mackie for the Masses
We lost another legend. On Monday, September 14, Bob Mackie passed away at the age of 87. Mackie dressed everyone from Cher to Diana Ross, creating designs that were unabashedly glamorous and celebrated women in a way I think we’re deeply missing today. His custom dress for the 1979 Playboy cover is particularly impactful for me. It’s basically an amalgamation of all my deepest loves.
His work is undeniably signature of the 70s, and he created some of the most beautiful gowns of the era. But beyond the red carpet, Mackie also brought that sense of glamour and artistry to the masses through his wearable art collaboration with QVC, a partnership that lasted 29 years.
The collection extended into plus sizes and made beautiful, artistic clothing available for everyday wardrobes. His blouses, many of which are 100% silk, are some of my favorite pieces in my own collection. They’re also still widely accessible on the secondary market, so I highly recommend setting up alerts on your favorite resale sites and seeing what you can find.
Hanging on by a Thread
Okay, well, in times like these we’re all hanging on by a thread. Why not make it fun?
This fall, long chains and statement pendants feel particularly compelling. There are so many interesting options out there, especially on the vintage market, and they’re an easy way to add something dramatic to an otherwise simple outfit. A long pendant also creates a beautiful line against a sweater, particularly a simple black turtleneck.
Pair one with a chunky knee-high boot, slip skirt, turtleneck sweater, and a great leather bag—that’s an outfit. Chic in the cool way, not the overhyped social media trend way.
Zebra Crossing
Every year, a new animal print seems to reign supreme. Leopard, cheetah, alligator, giraffe, snake. This year, it’s zebra, which every time I say it, I have to pronounce “zeh-brah” like the Brits.
And unfortunately, I am being influenced. I’ve found myself increasingly drawn to little bits of zebra print. I already worked it into my nail art, and this fall I’m planning to bring it into my wardrobe through accessories. Cute scarves, stunning bags, maybe even a hat! I particularly love zebra print with red, burgundy, or even olive green. It’s basically a neutral, so I suppose you could wear it with just about anything. Consider me officially earning my stripes.
Babes in Bally
I have to say, I think Bally is one of the most slept-on luxury brands. If you aren’t familiar, Bally is a Swiss luxury house founded in 1851, with a long history in leather goods and footwear. The brand had a particularly interesting cultural moment in the 80s, when its sneakers and menswear became popular with rappers like Big Daddy Kane and Doug E. Fresh.
Personally, I find myself much more attracted to the Bally womenswear and accessories of the 80s and 90s. Luckily for me, the vintage market is flooded with pieces from this era, often at surprisingly good prices. I’ve found the leather to be incredibly durable without being overly stiff, particularly in the shoes and handbags. The designs sit somewhere between 80s extravagance and genuinely good-quality basics. The handbags in particular tend to be beautifully structured, with great leather and just enough personality to make an outfit more interesting.
And perhaps most importantly, there are some mega finds out there for under $150—vintage luxury without having to take out a small loan? We love to see it.
Victorian Vixen
One of the best stores, Vixen by Micheline Pitt, recently closed its doors. But fret not! Its founder, Micheline Pitt, still has La Femme en Noir, a line that leans much more goth and, lately, far more Victorian.
There’s so much to love about this particular corner of goth fashion. High necklines, corsetry, dramatic sleeves, sweeping silhouettes, and pieces that feel romantic without losing their edge. It’s a style I haven’t ventured too deeply into before, but this fall feels like the perfect time to explore it.
I’ve also been looking at these gorgeous 100% cotton nightgowns from Eileen West. They’re flowy, romantic, and have that slightly Victorian quality that makes them ripe for wearing well beyond the bedroom. I’m purchasing one in black with absolutely no intention of wearing it solely as a nightgown. Throw on a corset, some kind of fabulous coat, and a pair of knee-high boots, and suddenly it’s a dress. Moody, sensual, slightly haunted
Hand Work
Hands might be one of the most underrated parts of the body when it comes to getting dressed. They’re incredibly expressive and can be so beautifully adorned, whether that’s with rings, bracelets, a fabulous manicure, or, in this case, gloves.
This fall, I’m particularly interested in leather gloves (or pleather in some cases). The great thing about gloves is that there are so many incredible vintage options out there, especially if you want something a little bolder than your standard black leather pair. Think rich colors, patchwork, fur trim, dramatic stitching, and pairs that extend all the way up to the elbow.
Blouse Extravagance
Blouses get a criminally bad rap. I think a lot of people assume they have to be dressy, corporate, or reserved for some vaguely professional occasion, but the reality is that a great blouse is incredibly versatile.
Of course, you can wear one with tailored trousers, heels, and a structured bag, but you can just as easily pair one with a casual slip skirt, scrunched socks, and a cool loafer. And unlike a lot of basics, blouses can get weird—bold prints, dramatic sleeves, pussy bows, embellishments, and all kinds of interesting details.
Vintage is particularly good for this. There are so many beautiful silk options out there, often in patterns and silhouettes you simply don’t see as much anymore. If you go the vintage silk route, might I suggest learning how to properly care for it? Luckily, I’ve got you covered there.
Body, Body, BODY
In my one-woman attempt to return pleasure to society and eradicate shame, I’m proposing a celebration of bodies and sensuality. There are so many ways to embody that philosophy, and getting dressed can be one of them.
Being sexy doesn’t have to mean showing as much skin as possible. Longer hemlines with more body-conscious silhouettes can be incredibly sensual, as can those cheekier little moments of skin: a sheer panel, an eyelash lace detail, a low back, or something that just beautifully follows the shape of the body.
There is, of course, no singular way to be sexy. It’s about what makes you feel good in your body and how you want to present it to the world. But this fall, I’m advocating for showing a little body, whatever that means to you.
Ditch Reaganomics for Fashionomics!
I am perpetually impacted by the 80s, and not just by the horrors of Reagan’s trickle-down economics! I’m talking about the dressing. I love 80s fashion, which in so many ways riffs on the silhouettes of the 40s and the golden age of glamour, then turns everything up to 100. It’s gaudy, over-the-top, power obsessed, rich, and most importantly, loud about it.
I have a feeling we’re going to return to dressing loudly over the next few years. So long to the stealth wealth and quiet luxury that have captivated everyone lately. Between us, there really is no such thing as quiet luxury. Luxury is loud, even when people think it isn’t. That’s the fucking point.
So put on some Duran Duran, pull out the sharp blazers and giant gold costume jewelry, and start dressing like you’ve got an acquisitions meeting at noon and a big fat line of snow at 12:15.
Big Calf Agenda
I’m a woman with big, juicy calves. Hot, huh? Anyways, I already did a full write-up on my favorite wide-calf and extra-wide-calf knee-high boots, so I won’t subject you to another dissertation here.
I will say I’m eyeing a few new pairs for fall, including this stunning burgundy pair from Vince Camuto and a very hot pair from Dolce Vita. I already own a pair of Dolce Vita boots and have found the quality impeccable, plus their sizing is genuinely wide and extra-wide-calf friendly. If knee-high boots have historically been your enemy, consider this your sign to try again.
Runway Roundup
Of course, I couldn’t talk about what I’m excited to wear this fall without looking at what actually came down the runway. There were plenty of Fall 2026 collections worth talking about, but these are the ones that caught my attention, whether for the clothes themselves, the ideas behind them, or what we can steal from them for our own wardrobes.
Mugler: The Power Of Dressing
In an attempt to fulfill my frothing-at-the-mouth 80s love affair, I turned to one of the ultimate symbols of decadence in 80s fashion: Mugler. Power, feminine, lethal.
For Fall 2026, Mugler’s current creative director, Miguel Castro Freitas, explored power dressing through a collection aptly titled The Commander. The collection pulls from some of Castro Freitas’ greatest inspirations, from Joan of Arc to Joan Crawford, while playing with the exaggerated silhouettes and commanding presence that have long been part of the Mugler language.
I hate to say it, but I think we’ve forgotten the art of power dressing. Well, not us, because you’re reading this. But culturally, we seem increasingly allergic to looking like we’ve put effort into anything. Dating, friendships, our homes, our clothes. Everything is supposed to appear effortless, and showing that you care risks becoming cringe. Certainly some of that feels like a reaction to the hyper-curation and constant surveillance of social media, but the response cannot be to simply check out.
That’s what makes seeing a collection put the power back into dressing so compelling. The exaggerated shoulders, strong silhouettes, and saturated colors command attention. There is intention behind it. There is effort behind it. And rather than hiding that effort, the clothes make it part of the point.
Matières Fécales: Freaks, Femininity & the 1%
Matières Fécales is quickly becoming one of my favorite design houses, which makes sense because it’s basically the weird, freaky alternative house. In my opinion, it’s also one of the few labels really celebrating different forms of femininity. It’s sexy, twisted, borderline camp, glamorous, and decadent. Add in the attention surrounding Gabbriette’s wedding looks, and the brand has really carved out a special place in fashion and in my own heart.
This season’s collection was as divine as ever, exploring the tension between the very different life circumstances of the brand’s founders and the 1%. The collection focuses heavily on tailoring, exaggerated silhouettes, and fabric manipulation, particularly in some of the tweed looks. I love the tension there. Tweed has all these modern connotations of class, wealth, and sophistication, and here it’s being pulled apart, distorted, and made strange. Interesting, but still surprisingly wearable.
Then there are the more on-the-nose statements: red-handed gloves, pieces literally labeled “CULT,” and beauty looks that push everything further into the extreme. So much of the collection takes these familiar markers of wealth, glamour, and femininity and makes them feel just a little fucked up. Which, frankly, is exactly why Matières Fécales works for me.
Rabanne: Molly Gunn Goes to Fashion Week
There wasn’t a thing that didn’t come down this runway. Sequins, patterns, embellishments, textures, fur, crystals. Anything and everything, often all at once.
For Julien Dossena’s final collection for Rabanne, the focus was on imperfection and being perfectly unpolished. That tension runs throughout the collection. There are unexpected color combinations and bold pattern mixing, like a stunning oxblood trench with fur detailing worn over a loud patterned dress and colorful pumps. Elsewhere, a sheer crystal-covered top is paired with a sequined skirt and playful tights. On paper, there’s a lot going on. In practice, that’s exactly what makes it work.
The whole thing feels like something Molly Gunn, Brittany Murphy’s character in Uptown Girls, might wear if the movie were set today. It’s glamorous, playful, slightly chaotic, and feels authentic rather than overly curated.
There are also plenty of ways to bring that energy into your own wardrobe without recreating a runway look. Browse the thrift store, pull out the pieces you already own, and start mixing things that you normally wouldn’t. Take a pair of vintage clip-on earrings and use them as accents on a pump. Throw an old fur stole over a plaid slip dress. Mix sequins with something completely unexpected. Just do something interesting.
Clothes aren’t going to fix the world, but they can change the way you move through it. And sometimes putting on something beautiful, strange, glamorous, or completely unnecessary is enough to make the day feel a little more yours.
So this fall, put in the effort. Wear something interesting. Be a little too much. Caring is cool.
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