If you’re a style enthusiast like us, you’re probably familiar with the historical struggle between the “ins” and the “outs.” Every season, the glossy fashion magazines of our youth would pit products against each other, declaring Trend A tired while exalting Trend B as the must-have epitome of nowness. However, in 2019, the only thing that’s “out” is that binary opposition between old and new. We don’t want to rule out certain styles just because they’ve been around the block once or twice — these tried-and-true pieces can still bring us plenty of sartorial fulfillment and often become classics in their own right. Sure, we still want to know what’s coming around the bend — it is fashion, after all — but in our world, there’s plenty of room for both the past and the present.
Ergo, instead of casting one product, trend, or moment by the wayside in favor of a shiny new one, we’re using our soothsaying powers to divine a fluid forecast. We read our own tea leaves — that would be R29’s shopping data from last fall — to divine last year’s best-sellers, and consulted a constellation of retailers (Net-A-Porter, Need Supply, Anthropologie, and Zappos) to interpret the “star” products that are currently ruling the skies (or at least their customers’ carts). Finally, we looked into our crystal ball to forecast the pieces that will be white-hot later on this season.
All of these shoppable trends are divided into “houses” — i.e., different areas of your life wardrobe. So step right up if you’re ready to consult the well-informed, all-inclusive R29 fashion oracle.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
The First House: Prints
In A Previous Life: Leopard Skirt Dress Anything
It won’t come as a surprise to anyone that a leopard midi skirt was an R29 reader favorite last fall. (A close runner up? A spotted Madewell dress, bien sur.) However, we’re nowhere near over this wildlife-adjacent trend — after all, every fashion gal worth her spots knows animal prints are eternally chic and work with just about everything.
Eloquii Printed Wrap Maxi Dress, $109.95, available at Eloquii
Actualizing Now: Tie Dye
Shops like Need Supply and Revolve report that all things tie-dye are in high demand. It makes sense to us — we only began to dip our toes into this trend for summer, so we’ll be digging into the DIY look come fall; this time in darker tones and autumnal fabrics like velvet.
Collina Strada Tie Dye Yod Skirt, $288, available at Need Supply
The Rising Sign: Suited
Our print prediction? After a few seasons of freewheelin’ mod and youthquake-y designs, prints are going to grow up a little. We saw all manner of sensible plaids, houndstooth, and pinstripes on the runways for Fall ’19, and we bet you won’t be able to resist the suiting-inspired fabrics that will be adorning the upcoming season’s pants and jackets.
ASOS WHITE Mixed Check Shirt, $95, available at ASOS
The Second House: Outerwear
In A Previous Life: Fleece & Teddy Bear
Once the province of hiking enthusiasts and soccer moms, the fleece jacket crept into the fashion canon last fall in a major way — both in the form of the old reliables (Patagonia and The North Face) and relative newcomers like Outdoor Voices, Sandy Liang and too many fast fashion takes to count. We’re definitely not “tossing” any of these insulating layers anytime soon — unless you count tossing them on over jeans for weekend erranding.
Patagonia Classic Retro-X Fleece Jacket, $199, available at Backcountry
Actualizing Now: A Denim Shirt-Jacket
What should we call this item: a shacket? A jirt? No matter the preferred nomenclature, we can see why shoppers have been scooping up this transitional staple — you can wear it as a light topper now, and then layer it under heavy sweaters and over fitted turtlenecks when the mercury dips.
Everlane The Denim Chore Jacket , $88, available at Everlane
The Rising Sign: The Extra Trench
Sweaters and puffers get a lot of attention come autumn/winter, but you know what’s long overdue for a come-up beyond the basic khaki? The trench. There are options aplenty this season, from Burberry’s everything-but-the-kitchen-sink deconstructed trench to a glossed-out jacket from Rains.
Rains Holographic Overcoat, $185, available at Shopbop
The Sixth House: Handbags
In A Previous Life: The Belt Bag
Once a fashion novelty, the millennial rebranding of the fanny pack came back with a vengeance last year and is now firmly entrenched in the accessory canon. If you’re not feeling it as much as you were last year, we highly suggest you tuck it away instead of give it away — you never know when a hands-free necessary event (hiking? volunteering? canvassing your neighborhood to get voter signups?) will strike.
Nike Heritage Belt Bag, $20, available at Urban Outfitters
Actualizing Now: Small, Structured Bags
Despite many seasons of popularity, mini top-handle bags aren’t going anywhere. In fact, searches for "box bags" and "small handbags" are still on the rise. (Although at some point, we’re going to have a raise a white flag in surrender of all the storage space we’ve lost — looking at you, Jacquemus!) Everyone needs a little objet to tote necessities, and this handy style shows no signs of slowing down.
Charles & Keith Croc-Effect Structured Top Handle Bag, $59, available at Charles & Keith
The Rising Sign: An Expanding Footprint
Influencer-type bags have historically been diminutive, but they’re beginning to — ahem — grow on us. Covetable luxe brands like Staud, Jil Sander, Bottega Veneta are pumping up their signature innovative shapes, resulting in structured purses with more presence than their predecessors. We predict that they’ll be met with a demand that rivals their hefty size.
Staud Moon Bag, $242, available at Staud
The Third House: Evening
In A Previous Life: The Slinky, Silky Slipdress
We only had eyes for the slipdress last fall — and let’s face it, not that much has changed. This easy-wearing frock can go high when paired with heels and glittering jewels, or weekend-friendly with low-top sneakers and a cozy sweater. We love this best-selling Reformation number for a still-warm-out fall wedding.
Reformation Athena Dress, $229.6, available at Reformation
Actualizing Now: Sequins
At retailers like Revolve, Moda Operandi, and Matches Fashion, customers are searching up a storm for this classic evening-wear detail. We like to see everyone preparing for the holiday festivities now — or perhaps, like us, customers plan to layer sequined minidresses over jeans and boots for a true weekend warrior look.
Superdown Jacket in Gold Sequin, $132, available at Revolve
The Rising Sign: An Night On The Prairie
Sure, we’ll still want our night-out looks festive and full of flair — but we’ll also want them long, demure, and prairie-inspired, per a trend towards modesty that continues to permeate our collective fashion consciousness. We predict best-of-both worlds gowns like this TK will be a hot commodity this holiday season, for a nighttime look that’s part doll, part Dolly, and part Valley of the Dolls.
La Double J Long Fancy Dress, $1340, available at Shopbop
The Fourth House: Baubles
In A Previous Life: Resin & Lucite Jewelry
We’re still reaching for the chunky, cheerful plastic hoop and chandelier earrings that we bought up last holiday season from brands like Cult Gaia, Rachel Comey, and Machete.
Torrid Tortoise Print Hoop Earrings, $10.43, available at Torrid
Actualizing Now: Layered Chains
A pileup of pendants has become de rigeur on the influential necks of 2019, and many retailers have taken the hint by offering pre-mixed chain sets to create that accidental-heirloom vibe. Take advantage of the rapidly diminishing decolletage-exposure window by snagging a set of these delicate necklaces now.
Mango Pendant triple necklace, $29.99, available at Mango
The Rising Sign: The Chunky Link
We’re hearing — and seeing — the subtle clink of big ol’ links. We predict that ’80s-scale chain jewelry will creep into our wardrobes this fall, and will be especially omnipresent as the next must-have HBIC accessory.
Young Frankk Classic Chain Bracelet, $92, available at Antidote+
The Fifth House: Boots
In A Previous Life: Cowboy Boots
Those of you who have been paying attention won’t be surprised: Cowboy boots were on fire last fall, thanks to trend-leading brands like Off-White, Raf Simons for Calvin Klein *crying face emoji*, and Ganni. But the thing about Western boots is that they were never really "out" to begin with. While the fashion pack might have warmed up to them in recent seasons, a sturdy cowboy boot style will never, ever be out of style.
Sam Edelman Winona Boot, $160, available at Zappos
Actualizing Now: Hiking Boots
Everywhere you turn, New York City "cool girls” are walking down the street with an air of wilderness, as if they’d just come back from an upstate camping trip. And according to the buyers we polled, it’s not just NYC women hitting "add to cart" on hikers. Regardless of whether you plan on leaving the paved streets of your current city or suburb, outdoors-y footwear is selling.
& Other Stories Chunky Platform Hiking Boots, $179, available at & Other Stories
The Rising Sign: A Square Toe
We’ve been waiting for this moment since, well, the ’90s. Our spidey sense tells us that square toes will return to center stage with an angular vengeance this fall, bringing with them other turn-of-the-century relics like brown lipstick and denim apron dresses.
ASOS Evolution Ankle Boots, $119, available at ASOS
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
“Back-To-School” Wardrobe Staples For The Grown-Up Office
Here’s What R29’s Fashion Team Is Making Space For In Their Closets This Fall
18 New Plus-Size Arrivals From Anthro (Some Of Which Are Already On Sale)
Source: Refinery29 – Emily Ruane