8 Best Fall Fashion Trends for Travelers 2024

There are a few things you can count on come fall in New York: crisp air, colorful fall foliage that makes you feel like you stepped into You’ve Got Mail, and new fall fashion trends hitting the city streets. Leopard, suede, and burgundy hues are just a few trends soon to be spotted on the subways and sidewalks. As a New York City fashion stylist, I’d like to think I always bring my fashion A-game. But, by the end of summer, my look becomes a series of wear-wash-repeat favorites; sound familiar? 

September is the perfect time to reinvigorate my effort to look my best by shopping for some must-have pieces. Luckily, this year’s fall fashion trends are approachable, fun, and easy to mix with your existing wardrobe. As an avid traveler, with a trip or two planned this fall, I also want the pieces I’m buying to be equally suitable to wear at home in NYC and while away. Plus, a few make strong fashion statements, like a leopard coat or furry brown jacket, to stand out in all my traveling photos So, before you hit the stores or click add to cart, here are the top must-wear fall fashion trends for 2024.

Burgundy Hues

Straight from the runways, this merlot shade is the biggest color trend of the season. The rich red shade is easy to style with all your favorite neutral pieces. I plan to fully embrace the trend by wearing a monochromatic deep wine-colored look, like wide-leg pants and an oversized t-neck sweater. Too much? Just pick a standout piece like a burgundy motorcycle jacket. Another easy way to add this color is with accessories like a leather shoulder bag. Or embrace one of the biggest footwear trends, a square-toe Mary Jane flat, which will be an excellent shoe for walking around the city or abroad.

Rothy’s The Max Square Mary Jane

Leopard Print

Fall fashion is bearing its wild side. This classic cat pattern is another trend that easily integrates with what you already have in your closet. Treat it like a neutral and mix it with your clothes like navy, black, and gray, as well as colors like reds and greens. It’s also another style you can choose to either go big with or use to add a touch of flair to an outfit. For instance, if leopard print jeans feel like a lot, opt for adding a leopard belt over a black dress or blazer. I plan on playing up the pattern’s feminine side by shopping for a fall dress and a loose blouse.

Aerosoles Women’s Driving Style Loafer

Suede Texture

This supple fabric is making a comeback in a big way this season. And yes, while some suede pieces can have steep price tags, the classic look makes it a worthy investment. The place to splurge is on hero pieces like a suede blazer or a chic pair of pants that will live in your closet for years. If you don’t want to spend your entire budget on these items, however, there are faux options that can give you a similar look. Accessories, again, are another area in which you can easily add this trend to your look. A pair of knee-high suede boots can be worn with a floral dress or with jeans. Suede bags are probably the biggest accessory trend and the perfect finishing touch for any fall travel look. I know I will be carrying this roomy bucket bag all over Lisbon when I visit in October.

• Pretty Garden Faux Suede Jacket, $37 (originally $46) 
• Dream Pairs Women’s Knee High Stretchy Fashion Boots, $56
• Free People Fringe Out Vegan Suede Jacket, $168
• Quince Italian Suede Sling Bag, $70
• Vince Suede Blazer, $1,395
• Ramy Brook Edwina Faux Suede Pants, $325
• Madewell The Essential Bucket Tote, $178
• Fuinloth Women’s Faux Suede Skirt, $28
• Rekayla Mary Jane Flats Shoes, $36

Quince Italian Suede Sling Bag

Neutral Brown

Overlapping with the previous category, another color to embrace this fall is brown — and all shades of it. While not groundbreaking or risky, this hue has taken the mainstage this season from New Yorker’s favorite neutral: black. All your fall staples — tees, sweaters, pants — should be in toffee, caramel, chocolate, or any delicious shade. The beauty of brown is that you can wear any of the different tones together, for a head-to-toe look that takes the guesswork out of it having it exactly match. It’s also easy to dress up and down. Wear a brown jumpsuit and cool clutch for date night, or a comfy sweatshirt for long travel days. The good news for New Yorkers who aren’t willing to quit on their favorite color: brown pairs beautifully with black.

Vuori Halo Column Skirt

A Nod to Country

City dwellers will be sporting pieces usually found in more rustic areas this season. Fabrics like corduroy, flannel, and shearling are fashionable and functional, perfect for the chilly temps and varying weather. One standout piece, the Barn Jacket, is particularly perfect for this transitional time of year. What I love about this trend is how well it fits into every fall adventure both in and out of the city. From football watching to pumpkin picking, the refined country chic look is versatile. 

Everlane Barn Jacket

Boho Is Back

Here’s another trend straight from the runway; the Celine runway to be exact. Loose silhouettes, prints, and ruffles will have your inner free spirit on display this fall. Boho this season has a 70s laid-back luxe vibe that’s less floppy hats and more earthy tones and lightweight pieces like maxi skirts and chiffon dresses. Accessories play a huge part in the boho look, too. While you can certainly mix in your suede boots and bags, you’ll also want to stock up on big sunglasses, chain belts, clogs, and gold jewelry.

• Free People Mina Long-sleeve Top, $98
• Anrabess Tiered Maxi Long Skirt, $37
• Tommy Bahama Ikat Cardigan, $225
• Abercrombie Ultra High Rise Stretch Flare Jean, $90 
• H&M Long Chiffon Dress, $60
• Btfbm Boho Blouse, $29
• The Fresh Women’s Oversized Sunglasses, $17
• Softwalk Felida Clogs, $120
• Topacc Chain Belts, $18 (originally $20)
• Montana West Slouchy Bag, $26

Abercrombie Ultra High Rise Stretch Flare Jean

Preppy Style

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s staircase will be a bit more crowded this fall since New Yorkers will be tapping into their inner Gossip Girl with chic preppy looks. Embrace the back-to-school season by adding pieces like polo collars, rugby stripes, and pleated skirts to your mix. Continue the athletic aesthetic from summer, too, by layering a cute crewneck cardigan over your collared tennis dress. On your feet, pair socks with loafers or just classic sneakers. There are a lot of looks within this trend making it versatile for work, friend hangouts, and jet setting.

• Franco Sarto Womens Carolynn Tassel Loafer, $42 (originally $99)
• Amazon Essentials Women’s Lightweight Crewneck Cardigan Sweater, $25
• Aerie Prep Rally Rugby Sweatshirt, $42 (originally $60) 
• Bombas Frilly Rib Quarter Socks, $16
• Hutch Button-front Mini Skirt, $128
• Gola x Anthropologie Baseball Cap, $48
• Johnnie-O Eva Performance Polo Dress, $158
• Lands’ End Canvas Pocket Tote, $35
• Puma Palermo Leather Sneaker, $80 (originally $90)
• Travis Mathew Moveknit Sleeveless Polo Dress, $140

Hutch Button-front Mini Skirt

Canadian Tuxedo

Again, not groundbreaking, but denim-on-denim is the matching moment of the season. To make this look feel more 2024, choose current hot denim styles like a dark wash, barrel-leg jeans, or a maxi denim skirt. On top, try an oversized shirt or denim vest. Also, instead of your tried and true denim jacket, choose different takes like a quilted style or tie-waist coat. This trend is the best for fall travel since you can easily mix and match these pieces with other items in your luggage. 

• Lee Women’s Ultra Lux Comfort with Flex Motion Bootcut Jean, $37 (originally $43)
• Wrangler Mens Denim Button Down Shirt, $31 (originally $35)
• Chartou A-line Maxi Denim Skirt with Pockets, $33
• American Eagle AE Dreamy Drape Stretch Low-rise Baggy Wide-leg Jean, $45 (originally $60)
• Gap Denim Vest, $80
• Tommy Bahama Quilted Cropped Denim Jacket, $188
• Paige Sasha Notch Back High Waist Wide Leg Trouser Jeans, $259
• Old Navy Jean Utility Jacket, $36 (originally $60)
• Silver Jeans Co Elyse Slim Bootcut Jeans, $84
• Greaidea Mid Rise Barrel Jeans, $49

Gap Denim Vest

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