I'm a Shopping Director—Here Is My List of 7 Fall Essentials

Making shopping lists is my jam. After all, I am the shopping director here at Who What Wear, where I lead a team of shopping editors and edit the market to source the best of the best fashion finds. On that note, I thought there could be interest in learning about my fall essentials as you start planning your wardrobe for the next few months.

Below, you'll find my list of the seven fall items I think will elevate any wardrobe because they're modern and versatile. I included a mix of trendier pieces that dominated the fall runways and basics that could easily be styled with other fall staples already in your offering. It's worth noting that this list doesn't encompass all of the tried-and-true fall staples that I also think are essential, like cardigans, longline coats, straight-leg jeans, etc. The fresh pieces ahead are other updates to consider adding to your closet.

Keep scrolling for my fall 2024 shopping list, complete with visual inspiration and many product recommendations for each essential.

Funnel-Neck Coat

Woman wearing a gray funnel-neck trench coat.

(Image credit: @nlmarilyn)

High-neck outerwear prevailed as one of the key outerwear silhouettes of the season. Designers, from Proenza Schouler to Stella McCartney, showcased funnel-neck coats in trench and wool iterations. Throw this essential over any outfit, and you'll look chic—period.

Tissue-Thin Turtleneck

Woman wearing a white thin turtleneck with jeans and a long brown coat.

(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

While thin turtlenecks are undoubtedly a forever staple, they had a huge presence as a layering piece on the fall 2024 runways. The piece is so sleek under jackets, button-down shirts, and sweaters.

Cuffed Jeans

Woman wearing cuffed jeans with a tan blazer and a white tee.

(Image credit: @frannfyne)

In addition to barrel jeans (another denim style I love), cuffed jeans—whether pre-cuffed or self-cuffed—will make any ensemble look relevant and cool.

Flat Mary Janes

Woman wearing flat Mary Janes with a long denim skirt and a black cardigan.

(Image credit: @lindatol_)

Flat Mary Janes will continue to hold strong as a staple footwear silhouette this season. I tell all of my friends to try this style because it's easy, comfortable, and elegant.

Country Jacket

Woman wearing a country jacket with a graphic tee and light-wash jeans.

(Image credit: @monikh)

In addition to funnel-neck coats, updated country jackets are noteworthy. This style was super popular for spring and will be a go-to for many, including me, for fall.

Classic Belt

Woman wearing white jeans with a brown classic belt and a tucked-in brown button-down.

(Image credit: @modedamour)

A great belt is an essential. I'm especially into classic styles this season because they can elevate any ensemble. Just think about your favorite sweater paired with jeans and that trusty, elegant belt.

Burgundy Bag

Woman carrying a burgundy Bottega Veneta bag and wearing a black skirt suit, fishnets, and pointed-toe heels.

(Image credit: @anna_laplaca)

Burgundy is the color of fall 2024, and I'm loving all of the bags in this gorgeous hue. Stunning.

This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent over seven years at Who What Wear, currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront of Who What Wear's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises. He has also worked across a variety of other media brands and fashion retailers like Refinery29, PureWow, Men's Health, and Gilt covering commerce, trend reporting, women's and men's fashion, home, and lifestyle.