As the fall/winter 2024 runway shows came to a close earlier this year, we predicted where fashion was headed in 2024. There were some things that were immediately evident. Elegance and sophistication carved themselves out as key themes of the season. Accessories worn as personality pieces were embraced on the runways and the street style alike. A new take on bohemian style, too, was a marked change in fashion—pioneered by Chemena Kamali's debut collection at Chloé that immediately drew support from the fashion industry and the celebrity set. Other trends were a slower burn, including the upcoming colors and prints we're predicting will take hold in the coming season.
As the fall/winter collections begin to drop, we're seeing a clearer direction for how fashion trends from the runways will impact our shopping habits this season, including everything from key investment buys to affordable finds that tap into the biggest trends. Ahead, read our fall/winter 2024 trend shopping guide and add our edit of the must-have pieces to your cart.
Elegance—a word uttered frequently at the Who What Wear office—is a reaction to the palpable shift in clothing on the runways and the fashion set alike that is reaching new heights of polish and sophistication. What began as one prediction about where fashion was headed instead ended up as a major indication of what we are seeing this year. Overall, style is taking a timeless, classic turn that is nostalgic and seems like it's of another era at times. Prada and Miu Miu—two brands that habitually steer fashion into its next aesthetic chapter—were master classes in "ladies who lunch" style with looks built around midi sheath dresses, elbow-length gloves, and pearl necklaces as well as modern touches, such as wraparound sunglasses and sleek leather bags. Altuzarra leaned into pieces such as pillbox hats, tweed jackets, and leather court shoes. Marc Jacobs took it to an editorial level with doll-like looks in supersized proportions. The general theme of it all? A look back to traditionally feminine dress codes reinterpreted for modern times.
Bohemian fashion experienced a significant revival this year thanks to its prominent appearance—and decidedly modern reinterpretations—in Chloé's new collection. With Kamali marking her first season with the brand by putting on a show that everyone in the industry couldn't stop talking about, it was immediately clear that bohemian fashion was going to make its mark.
Celebrity stylists have already been clamoring to dress A-list clients such as Sienna Miller, Beyoncé, and Daisy Edgar-Jones in Chloé's fall drops, and items like the bracelet bag and clogs are set to rise to It status. Chloé wasn't the only brand adopting this aesthetic, though. Ralph Lauren and Max Mara also embraced bohemian dress codes, and fashion houses like Etro and Isabel Marant remained on-brand with styles aligned with this look. With these influential brands leading the way, the fashion industry is already seeing widespread adoption of bohemian styles, signaling a broader resurgence of this free-spirited, Jimi Hendrix–esque, eclectic look. This shift is signaling the return to boho style, which hasn't been a major part of the fashion equation since the early 2000s.
Quiet luxury may have dominated fashion conversations last year, but we're now seeing a counterpoint to pared-back minimalism and subtle style with the emergence of maximalist luxury on the runways. Designs are falling into a "more is more" camp with over-the-top volume, dramatic embellishments, and anything-but-subtle accessories. The pieces still are not centered on recognizable logos. Instead, they push forward maximalist fashion items. At Alaïa, voluminous, fluffy coats and dresses were designed with muffs worn around the arms. At Saint Laurent, furry stoles were anything but understated. The watch world saw the return of the Piaget 79 Polo timepiece constructed entirely of yellow gold. On the market, too, we're seeing pieces with eye-catching details, such as Gucci's slingback heels with a Marina chain that are a nod to the glamorous world of yachting. Opulent maximalism has certainly returned.
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Conversation-starting accessories are making a bold comeback as brands reintroduce timeless pieces like pillbox hats, long leather gloves, and brooches as major talking points in their collections. Altuzarra stood out in the "unique hat" category alongside Prada, as they both offered fresh takes on the top hat. Meanwhile, Bottega Veneta made a strong impression with colored leather gloves, and stacks on stacks of bangles appeared in several runway collections, like Schiaparelli, adding an audible *clink* to the fabulous runway looks. Heaven Mayhem took inspiration from the runways and released brooches that are an easy, affordable purchase. As minimalism continues to make the fashion crowd swoon, the addition of a statement accessory couldn't come at a better time.
Leopard print is leading the charge in the bold fashion resurgence of animal print. Who What Wear editors can't stop talking about the leopard dresses and skirts at Alaïa and the showstopping zebra miniskirt by Jacquemus that was recently worn by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in the South of France. Clearly, wild patterns are taking center stage. Expect anything from this print—zebra, snakeskin, and just about any animal you can imagine has made its way onto our clothes. The iconic leopard coat has made a triumphant return and is bigger and bolder than ever, cementing animal prints as a must-have for anyone looking to make a statement this fall. Bold dressers will wear eye-catching outerwear and head-to-toe looks, and those looking for a subtler take on the trend can opt for a printed bag or shoes.
The preppy renaissance is upon us. This year has seen the rise of sporty style thanks to Zendaya's tennis looks in Challengers and the rise of new sporting brands that are taking preppy country-club dressing to a new level of cool. Pieces as simple as cable-knit cardigans have reached new heights of cool due to looks on the runway at Auralee. Inspired by Miu Miu and the buzzy Instagram account @themillennialdecorator, other staples of the prep uniform such as crisp button-down oxford shirts, leather loafers, and Prince of Wales blazers have suddenly risen from boring staples to key styling pieces. As we've mentioned before, all of this comes back to a renewed interest in traditional sportswear, which falls under the umbrella of preppy, polished pieces. In short, classic staples have never been more in demand and simply require some updated styling hacks.
Red certainly had a moment last fall, so we were at the edge of our seats waiting to see what might be next. Lately, green has made its mark and is set to be an It choice of the season. We previously noted dirty martini green and darker foresty green popping out the most, but we're drawn to every shade in the color palette. Kendall Jenner recently chose the Margaux clutch in dark green instead of black, which feels predictive of how insiders will be making similar swaps in the season ahead. Carven's fashion show was the talk of the town, and the most talked-about look was in a shade of green that turned heads. Gucci, Burberry, Chloé, and countless others also doubled down on green, just as the fashion set will this fall.
