With new drops from the F/W 23 collections arriving in stores and buzzy trends entering the fashion space for the second half of the year, it’s an exciting time for style. With so much newness arriving, what is really worth shopping this fall? We took a thorough look at every piece on the market, from investment designer buys to affordable finds, to identify the best of the best with our latest installment of the WWW 100—our edit of the top 100 fall buys that are primed to land you on the best-dressed list for the season.
Curious to see what early adopters will be wearing before everyone else? We have you covered with the exact pieces to add to your cart. Interested in the designer finds that are worth the investment? We have a shortlist of our top recommendations. Ready to test-drive the biggest trends of the season? We’ve identified the best finds at every price point. Here, shop our 100 top shopping recommendations for fall 2023.
The best-dressed fashion insiders always seem to be a step ahead of everyone else when it comes to unlocking the next directional fashion finds. You know, those pieces that set the tone for what season-defining style looks like. If you’re looking to be ahead of the curve, we have some predictions about the exact pieces that are set to take off. The mood of the season is a blend of directional shapes such as hourglass peplum tops, as well as unexpected pieces including track pants and capris. Plus, the next iteration of the ever-hot Mary Jane flats, which are shaping up as the shoe of the year, now finished in a clear PVC version from The Row that we expect to see everywhere soon.
What is hot right now in fashion, like really hot? We put on our fashion detective cap to land on the 10 pieces that we are seeing in every style insider’s wardrobe—or at least at the top of their wish list. Prada’s floral-embellished pumps immediately come to mind and are carving themselves out to be one of the biggest shoes of the season. The same can be said for Alaïa’s Mary Jane flats—a shoe that is selling out so fast, they are practically gone the moment they are listed for sale. The Gucci Horsebit bag and the Loewe Squeeze bag are the ones to know. And in the watch world, Cartier’s Baignoire is the talk of the town—especially the just-debuted bangle version.
If you are looking for an investment piece that you can count on having in your closet for many years to come, we narrowed in on the top designer pieces of the season. Some are timeless forever items, including Cartier’s Tank Américaine watch that is finished with a leather band and 18K gold case. Others feel like they destined to be modern classics, such as The Row’s Margaux bag, a sophisticated and streamlined tote that can traverse airplanes and workdays. Others yet feel more trend-driven, but still having staying power that makes them worthy of a splurge.
The color of the season is undoubtedly red. Specifically a hot, fiery shade of red that permeated the F/W 23 collections at runway shows including The Row, Ferragamo, and countless others. We’ve written about this color at length, but were interested to see how it actually played out in the style set’s wardrobe. On the street style scene at fashion month, minimalists and trendy dressers alike have integrated the color into their looks in a major way, making it one of the biggest trends amongst the front row set from New York to Paris—building the case even further that red is the most important color to wear for fall. We saw the color worn as punchy head-to-toe looks, but also in more subtle ways. Often, a pop of red added with a ballet flat, a quilted bag, a pair of opaque tights, or a drop earring.
The arrival of fall also means the arrival of pieces primed for layering. Coats! Boots! Knits! Gloves! This season, we’re seeing the arrival of trend-driven items that breathe new life into many standard fall pieces. Loewe debuted a coat designed to look like a cardigan. Fingerless gloves have emerged as a key styling piece. Jackets with built-in scarves are dominating. Even crewneck sweaters have a trend factor—instead of being worn overhead, we’re seeing them tied around the shoulders and styled as scarves.
Unexpected details can really make the outfit. If you’ve tuned into some recent viral social media videos that compare "wearing versus styling your clothes”, the pieces that can push a look forward are often less obvious accessories. These are the personality pieces that communicate something extra and pull together an outfit. A twisted gold Charlotte Chesnais bracelet layered over a timepiece, a wool scarf artfully tied over a blazer, and a hair clip tucked into a messy bun are amongst the standouts and are all impactful styling pieces that have the power to transform a look. Some are subtle and others are high-impact, but each adds an undeniable element of intentionality.
Another smart way to invest in your wardrobe is by cultivating a collection of staples to wear again and again. Not just for one season or year, but for many ahead. While many of the go-to workhorse basics remain consistent, there are some updated tweaks you can look for to make them feel especially relevant for 2023. Jeans are continuing to gravitate towards wide-leg shapes and darker washes. Flats are the key shoe to own, especially in Mary Jane and ballerina shapes. A-line midi skirts are suddenly in every fashion person’s closet. Belts are a key outfit-finisher. Big tote bags are practically a must-buy piece, with a version available from practically every designer.
While it may seem early to start planning for holiday parties this winter, they are actually just around the corner and we're already being cued into what the party set will be wearing. Minimalistic sequins dresses are a fashion-forward way to update your holiday attire this season, and there are stunning versions on the market from brands including 16Arlington and Proenza Schouler. Other ways to get into festive mode are by wearing silver accessories such as pointed mules and drop earrings, or gem-embellished tulle. If you’ve already scooped up one of the A-line skirts that have been everywhere this season, simply add a corset top to bring the piece into your winter wardrobe.
Looking to the wardrobes of Who What Wear’s editors, there are some specific pieces that are so good, you’ll find them in many of our closets. Practically everyone on the team owns a version of embellished flats. Silver cuff bracelets are also a hit and one of the key jewelry items our fashion editors have been snapping up recently. Bottega Veneta is continuing to lead the charge for investment buys, while Pixie Market and COS are go-to brands for wallet-friendly finds. And the Toryssance is making Tory Burch one of the most talked-about brands in our office, with multiple editors ordering the brand’s hook-and-eye tunic top for their fashion month wardrobes, among other cult finds.
In fashion, the fun often lies in experimenting with the latest trends to hit the runways and the street style scene. One key way to test-drive them with zero regrets? Affordable finds that won’t make a big dent in your wallet. Our picks range from the easy-to-wear to the daring. Sleeveless flared mini dresses, red cashmere knits, and chunky gold earrings take cues from some of the big fall trends but are among the pieces that can slip seamlessly into your fall wardrobe. Other pieces including bejeweled underwear and see-through skirts may take more guts to try out—though, I would argue that sheer skirts are actually less daring than you might imagine depending on how they’re styled.
