During this ongoing fall season, various trends have graced runways, everyday fashion and celebrities alike. Among the various styles, four prominent trends have caught my attention: metallics, the color red, ballet flats and cardigans.
During the spring/summer 2023 Paco Rabanne show, they infused a metallic aesthetic into various clothing and footwear items such as silver leather moto boots, maxi skirts and trousers. With their recent collaboration with H&M, launched on Nov. 9, they have translated this style into more accessible pieces. Notable highlights from the collection include a sequin dress and disco bags. Ever since, a metallic sparkle has appeared across more shows and stores worldwide.
Metallics are nothing new to fashion, but what makes it different this season is the pairing with more basic items such as sweaters and jeans. To incorporate metallics, it does not have to be an overly dressy or flamboyant outfit, but rather it can effortlessly become part of your everyday style when paired with a silver or gold accessory. When observing students across Fordham’s campus, I notice the prevalence of this trend through the use of puffers and casual sneakers. Brands like Adidas, for instance, have introduced metallic color variations for their renowned Samba shoe, contributing to the trend’s popularity. Stores like Anthropologie, J.Crew, H&M and Zara showcase metallic elements in blouses, heels, purses, skirts and statement earrings this season.
“I love incorporating metallic in my outfits with jewelry and purses. I enjoy seeing it in more everyday items and accessories; it is a fun color to style. I love my Zara silver heels and even saw an awesome gold puffer jacket at Target,” said Alaina Davis, FCRH ’25.
A prominent color trend for this season revolves around the vibrant shade of red. While the previous season showcased an abundance of green, the current fall season is dominated by the prevalence of red on runways and in stores. Various red hues, ranging from deeper maroon tones to vibrant scarlet shades, are all over this season. The incorporation of red is particularly notable in items such as jackets, sweaters and bags. Brands like Free People and NA-KD have a great selection of red sweaters and blouses. Many second-hand stores or markets like the Grand Bazaar or Buffalo Exchange have more unique red leather and bomber jackets. Shoulder or crossbody bags in red are available across many stores, catering to different price ranges. This color is always found at Fordham, especially at the parent’s weekend tailgate. I saw fun variations of red-spirited outfits, including items like red cowboy boots and maroon pants.
A great way to incorporate the metallic and red trends mentioned before would be through sporting ballet flats. In Sandy Liang’s spring 2024 show, they displayed outfits with bright red satin ballet flats, which is just one example of the revival of this shoe. They are an easy, slip-on shoe, and no one can deny the resurgence of this trend this season. Beyond the runway, this shoe trend is making its way worldwide in all types of colorways and patterns. J.Crew’s classic Zoe ballet flat is the blueprint of this trend, but I also recommend consulting Steve Madden or Mango for affordable but stylish options.
“I have been loving the ballet flat trend,” Davis said. “After seeing many social media advertisements and influencers sporting the trend, I bought myself a black pair from Nordstrom. I can not wait to wear them this season, they are such a cute way to elevate my outfits.”
Finally, the cardigan takes the spotlight as my favorite trend this season. While cardigans themselves are not a novel concept, their use in layering, comfort and the diverse range of colors this season sets them apart. The specific cut of the cardigan I see frequently is the sweater jacket, loosely inspired by the infamous Chanel jacket. The viral TikTok version is the Old Navy SoSoft Cropped Cardigan, popularized by creator Lilly Sisto. The cardigan offers good quality at a price of $35 and comes in colors like red, tan, bright blue and brown.
Beyond these trends, I would say fashion this season is fluid. Wear what you want to wear and what makes you comfortable. While these colorways and pieces sell the most, some of the best clothes or accessories out there are unique finds from your favorite store. There are so many great ways to dress yourself, so I suggest embracing your style.
