Fall 2023 Fashion Trends: How To Incorporate Them Into Your Existing Wardrobe

If you’ve fallen head over heels in love with some of this season’s Fall fashion trends, but you’re confused about how to incorporate them into your existing wardrobe, I’m here to help! You DON’T have to run out and buy a whole new wardrobe, and you certainly don’t have to get rid of everything you own that’s technically “out of style”. Instead, you can choose which trends speak to you and work best for your lifestyle. Once you’ve selected a few to try, you can experiment with your existing wardrobe and figure out how to mix those trends into it. Still lost? That’s okay! These are my best tips for incorporating Fall 2023 fashion trends into your existing wardrobe.

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Best Fall 2023 Fashion Trends

This season’s trend list is endless. There’s something for everyone no matter what your lifestyle or vibe is. Let’s get into the top ten Fall trends to try this season and where to find them. Then we’ll discuss how best to incorporate those trends into your existing wardrobe!

Elevated Basics

Look for versatile, simple pieces, in quality fabrics with small features that set them aside from your average basic. This super soft cashmere sweater is warm and soft and comes in 18 different colors. This 100% jersey cotton long-sleeved layer has a unique neckline and pairs easily with jeans, a fun skirt, or even those new leather trousers you snagged last week.

A Pop Of Red

Red is everywhere this season. You can embrace the shade fully with a bright red blazer or fun red dress. You can also add little pops of color to your neutral outfits like this bag or this statement belt (budget-friendly option HERE).

Denim Everywhere!

Denim for Fall, how shocking! Seriously though, denim is definitely having a moment. Jeans alone come in so many different silhouettes, I am 100% sure you will find something to break you out of your skinny jean rut. Wide-leg jeans are my personal fave, but you can also try this mid-rise, cropped pair, or these high-waisted cargo jeans that knock out two trends in one.

Don’t forget the denim skirts! They were everywhere earlier this year and they’re back for Fall! This number is high-waisted (super flattering) with 1% spandex to hug your curves in all the right places. I would pair with these gorgeous suede booties once temps drop.

Ballet Flats

So, this one took some convincing for me. The first iterations of this trend that I saw earlier in the season were… not it! But these adorable two-toned beauties are so chic and versatile. They’re definitely a splurge, but I found some budget-friendly versions HERE & HERE! For an updated look, ditch the skinnies and go for a slightly cropped straight jean or a wide leg jean that will hit just below the ankle.

Peplums

I adored this silhouette back in the day, so I’m super excited that it’s back! There are a few updates though. This Fall season’s peplums are not quite as exaggerated as those from a few years back. There are some gorgeous, structured peplums that are perfect for work. I also found some really pretty casual tops with subtle, almost romantic, soft peplums that are super flattering no matter your body type.

Normcore

Leave it to the fashion industry to come up with a name for, literally, just regular clothes! But I can’t lie, I love the normcore trend because it’s sooo easy to pull off! Think basic jean (or leather!) jacket, solid tee, great-fitting jeans, and a fun pair of moto boots. Or, switch out the jacket for a cozy coatigan (budget-friendly versions HERE and HERE). Once you get the basic formula down, you can switch out specific elements for a new look every day. No muss, no fuss.

Sweater (dress) Weather

No, I am not referring to the bodycon, va-va-voom sweater dresses from our college years. Although, if you can still rock one of those, major props to you, sis. 2023 sweater dresses come in a variety of lengths (mini, midi, AND maxi) with much more forgiving silhouettes. Plus, they’re so soft and comfy, they’re like wearing a warm hug! Comfy AND on-trend? I consider that a win for sure.

Leather, Baby

Time to pull out your classic moto jacket from a few seasons back! Or, it’s time to finally invest in a great one (or snag a high-quality faux version). But leather is no longer just for jackets. There are beautiful, buttery soft leggings with great waist control, structured trousers (budget-friendly versions HERE), and even uber cool shackets (yes, those are back!) to choose from this season!

Assess Your Existing Wardrobe

Now that we’ve discussed the best Fall 2023 fashion trends, let’s get into how to incorporate them into your existing wardrobe.

My number one tip? Shop your closet FIRST! When you’re thinking about which Fall 2023 fashion trends you want to incorporate into your wardrobe, consider what you already have that will pair well with new Fall pieces. An updated sweater dress will look amazing with those gorgeous suede boots you snagged last season. Embracing normcore? There’s a good chance you already own a classic jean jacket, comfy tee, and fresh kicks!

Keep in mind, this step will look different for everyone. As a general rule of thumb, I try to hold on to anything that’s still on-trend, still makes me smile, and that’s still in great condition. IE, no rips, loose threads, missing buttons, mystery stains, etc.

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Mix & Match: Incorporating Fall 2023 Fashion Trends Into Your Existing Wardrobe

Remember, we’re not automatically getting rid of pieces just because the fashion gods have deemed them “out of style”. If you’re over skinny jeans, toss them by all means. But if you still have a pair (or two!) that you love, see if you can update them! Add an oversized sweater and this season’s moto boots for a fresh look. If, on the other hand, you’re jumping into wide-leg or barrel leg jeans, consider pairing with a fitted blazer from a few seasons ago to help balance out the volume. Bottom line: Experiment with different looks to see if you can wear an older piece in a fresh, exciting way.

This post is sponsored by Sante Grace, your go-to for elevated, environmentally conscious fashion for plus size babes! Use code ALLDAY to save 15% on your first order!

5 Styling Tips For A Seamless Transition

1. Use Pinterest For Inspo NOT To Copy Paste: Pinterest is great source for inspiration and ideas when you’re trying to figure out which trends to incorporate into your wardrobe. But you do want to avoid trying to copy a specific look piece by piece. For one, the person in the picture may have a different body type than you, maybe a different vibe, or their lifestyle may be different from yours. You know how you can make a recipe from a cookbook, follow it to a tee, and still have it come out differently? Fashion is the same! Take a look at those gorgeous pics and really study them to figure out the specific elements of an outfit that you like. Then try to incorporate those elements into your existing wardrobe.
2. Determine Your Signature Style: I listened to a really good podcast the other day featuring wardrobe expert, Allison Bornstein, with some super helpful advice when it comes to figuring out your personal style. She recommends “The Three Word Method”. With this method, you choose three adjectives to describe your style. The first word is your baseline. If you look at your closet, your baseline describes the clothing you reach for over and over. The second word, your aspirational word, describes what you want your dream style to look like. This is where that Pinterest inspo board comes in! The third word is your emotional adjective. Look at your favorite outfits. How do you feel when you put them on? How do you want to feel when you get dressed for the day? These are the basics of how the 3 Word Method works, but, if you’re ready to do a deep dive, consider snagging Allison’s new book which breaks it down even further!
3. Budget, Budget, Budget: You may have heard this tip before, but it’s super important, so it bears repeating! Come up with a budget for your Fall wardrobe update and then STICK TO IT! You don’t have to go broke trying to keep up with trends. Plus, you may not want to spend a lot of money to try a trend that may not stick around for a while, or that you’re unsure of. On the other hand, something like a chic black overcoat may always be a wardrobe staple for you, so you might be willing to drop a bit more cash on it. Figure out what you want the most, what you’ll get the most wear out of, and budget your funds accordingly.
4. Keep Your Lifestyle In Mind: If you’re a SAHM like me, you’ll probably want cute, comfy options (preferably in fabrics that don’t wrinkle and will hold up in the wash). If you work outside the home, maybe you’ll need more blazers, and elevated dresses that work for daytime and after-work events. Whatever new trends you decide to try will need to fit seamlessly into your lifestyle as well as your existing wardrobe. Bottom line: think about what a typical day looks like for you while you’re picking things out.
5. Find The Boutiques and Brands That Best Suit Your Personal Style: This one requires a bit of research, but I can help with that! Check out my list of over 120 Black-owned online boutiques and brands to shop with this season. When it comes to boutiques or specific brands, most will have a main style or vibe you can come to expect. Think about stores like New York & Company or Madewell. You have a pretty clear idea what to expect from those stores right? Bookmark the ones that match up with your personal style and start there when you’re shopping for fashion trends to incorporate into your existing wardrobe.

What Fall 2023 fashion trends are you most excited to try? Come find me on Insta and shoot me a DM, I want to hear about it!