By Ava C. Green
Fall is here! I know that all my fall fanatics out there are stoked for trips to the pumpkin patch, hot apple cider and the beautiful scenery of Western New York, of course! I, however, am greatly looking forward to the shift from summer fashion to that of the fall. The change in seasons signals the perfect time to switch up your wardrobe and try something new.
Personally, my fashion game takes a hard decline in the summer. In the summertime, I’m dressing for utility purposes with the intention of staying cool in the hot, stale air. As the weather starts to become liveable again, it’s much easier to wear clothes the way I love to — as impractically as possible. Goofy sweaters, cute jackets, plenty of layers and oh-so-many hats!
With all of that being said, here are a few trends that are forecasted to be quite prominent this season, with a few of my own personal fashion hopes scattered about:
According to Vogue, there seems to be a resurgence of the typical “white shirt and blue jeans” combination, but in a more elevated and modern light. This pairing is a true classic and lends the wearer the ability to spruce it up in ways that reflect their own personal style. Whether it’s fun shoes, a cute sweater on top or tons of jewelry (all of which will be mentioned later), jeans and a white tee create a great backdrop for other forms of personalization or can just act as a way to look put together while putting in little to no effort.
Now onto my true passion in life: knitwear. A simple cardigan can be a cute and cozy way to stay warm in the grating Buffalo wind, but I have also seen more and more statement sweaters with vibrant colors and unique patterns. Again, there is a certain practicality in wearing a sweater to beat the cold, but who says that function and beauty must exist in a state of heterogeneity? If you couldn’t already tell, I’m a big fan of using clothing as a means of self-expression, and a sweater in your favorite color or a pattern that is so “you” can be a fun way to do that.
Color-wise, I find it very interesting that there seems to be a shift in the usual tones that are popular for fall. This season, it’s looking like pastels for fall may be the way to go. We tend to see warm, dark neutrals pop up everywhere once the leaves start to change, but in this era of rebirth and coming back to normalcy after years of a pandemic, people seem to want to dress lightly, brightly and expressively. So swap your navy blues out for baby blue and revel in the first mask-free fall that the Canisius community has seen in two years!
Jeans have evolved dramatically as of late, and I can’t say I’m upset about it. Skinny jeans have been out for some time now, and, as someone who looks particularly unflattering in a skinny fit, this is a relief. Relaxed denim is all the rage these days and is a major contributor to the overall baggy silhouette that has risen in popularity recently. These jeans have the length and width of a trouser-style pant with the high-waisted, cinching effect of 2019-era “mom jeans.” They’re the perfect blend of sophisticated, yet trendy; stylish, yet low maintenance. All-in-all, just a great closet staple.
Leather, leather, leather! Leather has a long history, first being worn by our caveman ancestors 500,000 years ago, then being seen as a material that was taboo to wear in public due to its affiliation with gay culture and bondage-wear starting in the 1970s. I am fascinated with the timeline of how leather has been worn, so that may have to be an article in itself, but for now, I’ll keep it short. Now, in 2022, people are starting to incorporate leather into their everyday wardrobe, with jackets, pants, shoes and even harnesses all being sported in various settings and styles.
This fall, we should all take a lesson from President Stoute and step up our shoe game. Statement shoes, specifically boots, are easily my favorite trend to see pop up. For me, shoes are kind of an afterthought, but lately, seeing everyone in their colorful platform converse, loafers and chunky boots has totally inspired me to be more adventurous in my footwear. A statement shoe adds an air of fashion sensibility to any outfit, and when you find the perfect pair that toe the line between practical and outlandish, they’re a great investment.
If you’re a resident of Buffalo, you know how crucial a good coat is to day-to-day life towards the end of the year. Although I am an advocate for impractical fashion, I can make a slight exception when it comes to hypothermia prevention. The key word here is “slight.” Coats are getting bigger and bolder, and I’m here for it. Bright puffer jackets, exaggerated trenches, faux furs and oversized blazers are being worn all over international runways right now. This has made quite the splash, and clothing brands are catching on. Eccentric coats are no longer just for Beverly Hills divorcees: fun coats for all, I say! I know I’ll be switching out my crusty North Face jacket from 9th grade out for something much more chic this fall.
I could go on and on, but I wanted to focus on doable trends that broke college kids (like myself) can work with using pieces they may already have. Trying new things out with your fashion is always exhilarating, so why not make some changes while Mother Nature is making hers? While I disagree that following trends is entirely vapid and unoriginal, I do agree that following them religiously may not be the way to go. Think of these styles as a new outlet for your own personal vision, instead of a box you need to stay within. Fashion needs a perspective: it needs your perspective.