Fall Fashion Trends (Courtesy of The Advocate)
This piece is from the CU Independent’s opinion section. Any opinions or views do not represent the CU Independent.
Fashion trends are often recycled year after year, but fall fashion has a special way of coming back around as we transition from the burning hot summer months into the chilly sweater weather of fall.
Ever since fall fashion has emerged, autumn wardrobes have reflected not only seasonal needs like coats and boots, but also cultural moods and personal identity. As I look back on the last three decades, I can’t help but form opinions of what I’d happily wear and what I’d leave behind in that decade.
The 1990s: Minimalism versus grunge
The 1990s gave us two very different fall styles with sleek minimalism and messy grunge being very popular.
Minimalism originated as an art and design movement in the 1960s before making its way to the fashion scene. It’s called minimalism because it strips away excess, focusing on timeless, simplistic and versatile pieces rather than bold trends, giving the “less is more” mindset. Minimalist style could be seen in the form of cardigans, slip dresses and neutral palettes, which are all chic and timeless. I often wear many of these styles today, especially cardigans, as they can pair with almost anything very seamlessly and can be worn in almost every season. Cardigans have many different shapes including more fitted, loose, cropped, short-sleeved and even vests. Due to cardigans’ versatility, I think cardigans will stay in the fall fashion lineup for a very long time and for good reason. I also think slip dresses are here to stay as they will always be a classic addition to anyone’s closet. Ever since the 1920s when slip dresses became popular as outerwear instead of undergarments, they have been seen in fall fashion and will continue to be seen for the foreseeable future.
On the other side, grunge, a 1990s fashion trend inspired by the alternative music scene, brought oversized flannels, combat boots and baggy jeans to the fall fashion scene. The grunge style of this era doesn’t appeal to me as much as the minimalist one does. Oversized flannels and baggy jeans feel sloppier to me than stylish, especially since fall fashion is at its best when it balances cozy and polished. Don’t get me wrong, flannels and baggy jeans can be stylish, but it can be challenging to do correctly. If you choose to take the more street style approach with this combo, I think it can be very stylish and appealing with the right accessories and other aspects added to it. However, if the outfit is solely just a flannel and baggy jeans with nothing else added, it can often look rushed. Overall, from the 1990s I’m definitely keeping the minimalist style and skipping the grunge look.
The 2000s: Eclectic and overdone
The early 2000s were all about layering, with tank tops over long sleeves, bedazzled jeans, chunky belts and statement scarves. When I think of this era in fall fashion, I think of the quintessential Disney Channel red carpet looks where celebrities like Ashley Tisdale, Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez layered what seemed like multiple separate outfits on top of each other. It was fun and experimental, but often chaotic. This era leaned heavily into textures and accessories, sometimes a little too much at once. Overall, I have very mixed opinions on this era, whether that is just for pure nostalgia or if I actually like the fashion during this time. One aspect I liked during the 2000s was the playfulness of it, as it was a reminder that fashion should be fun and expressive, even if the execution doesn’t always work out. However, I’m not the biggest fan of certain layering styles like miniskirts over jeans with an excessively large belt paired on top. Today, layering is super common in the form of outerwear and looks super good as an outfit. I’m not sure we’ll ever see the more whimsical and fun layering fully come back, but I do think it has the possibility to come back in a more neutral and less loud form. Overall, I would love to keep certain aspects of fashion from this time, but I am glad we left the majority in the 2000s.
The 2010s: Cozy meets street style
By the 2010s, fall fashion leaned more toward oversized sweaters, skinny jeans, ankle boots and blanket scarves. Street style became influential during this time, as social media and fashion influencers made casual, everyday outfits feel stylish and runway worthy. Athleisure also worked its way into fall wardrobes, blending comfort with trendiness. It was the decade when cozy became stylish, and layering was elevated to a new level. This is one of my favorite eras of fall fashion, as oversized sweaters, cardigans and boots are classics that I’ll never get tired of. Even though it’s controversial, I will always love a good cropped oversized sweater, skinny jeans and ankle boots in the fall months. I think it’s a super cute outfit that is really easy to put together in a rush and still look put together. The one thing I wasn’t a huge fan of, however, was the blanket scarves. Blanket scarves were very large and often gave an overwhelming look on the body, almost as if it was consuming the person wearing it. I still remember buying one of those giant plaid scarves because it was all over Pinterest and YouTube. I wore it once to class and then never wore it again, since it was hot and overwhelming to wear. After that, it sat in my closet for years, never to be worn again. Overall, I would keep the oversized sweaters and ankle boots and skip the massive scarves.
The 2020s: Quiet luxury and nostalgia
Right now, fall fashion is defined by two major trends: quiet luxury, which consists of neutrals, tailored trousers and timeless sweaters, and nostalgic revivals from the 1970s, 1990s, and early 2000s. Wide-leg pants, slip skirts and suede boots can be seen everywhere, but so are minimalist trenches and cashmere. I love the quiet luxury trend as it’s sleek, timeless and makes every fall outfit feel put together. I think that these outfits are super classy and very polished. On the other hand, I also love the Y2K (Year 2000s) revival, with the addition of chunky belts and layering. Layering has the ability to elevate almost any boring outfit into stylish fashion that will make people wonder where you got your outfit from. These looks provide a fun alternative on the days you want to branch out from the quiet luxury look.
Overall, I’m definitely taking all these fashion trends in my mind into whatever era comes next. While some trends feel timeless, others are better left in their respective decade and for me, fall fashion works best when it captures the essence of the season, mixing warmth, texture and style in a way that feels both effortless and intentional.
Contact CU Independent Writer Emily Eigenbrode at emily.eigenbrode@colorado.edu
