11 Fall 2020 Fashion and Footwear Trends You’ll Actually Wear

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Fall is usually fashion’s biggest moment. Highly anticipated by the industry, it’s the season where the average consumer tends to shop the most. Combined, consumers spend almost double on “back to college” and back-to-school for kids than they do during the winter holidays. Pricier items like new coats, boots and other practical, long-wear items are intended to get many shoppers (especially those in seasonal climates) through the colder half of the year.

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But fall ’20 will undoubtedly be different.

The fall ’20 runway season presented just as many possible fall fashion trends as those that came before. But the shows and presentations of fashion month happened in February and March, just as the pandemic was emerging — and before the industry understood the long-term impact it would have. As a return to “normal” life remains uncertain in its timing, (school and office re-openings are still very much up in the air), it’s unlikely that some of these proposed fall fashion trends will actually resonate in today’s new world of comfort and practicality. While the need for formal office attire has been dwindling for years, the pandemic’s lifestyle shift is seemingly the nail in the coffin for things like suits, ties and, yes, even some high heels.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of 11 fall fashion trends that we think will actually resonate with shoppers this coming season:

1. The slipper

Let’s start with the obvious. Since more people are spending more time at home, it only makes sense that the slipper market would become the red-hot center of footwear for this season’s fall fashion trends. What’s great about the boom is that it’s ushering in a new kind of indoor shoe, and many styles are more fashion-forward with updated silhouettes and details. Take The Row’s mesh version, which became a quarantine “It” shoe this spring, or the slipper-sandal hybrid, which will easily transition to fall with a good pair of socks.

dearfoams, slippers, work from home, fashion trends, fall 2020 trends
dearfoams, slippers, work from home, fashion trends, fall 2020 trends

To buy: Dearfoams Cindy furry slide slipper, $26.

ll bean slippers, ll bean, fashion trends, fall 2020 trends, work from home
ll bean slippers, ll bean, fashion trends, fall 2020 trends, work from home

To buy: L.L. Bean cozy slipper booties, $69.

slippers, work from home, fall 2002 fashion trends, fashion trends, shoe trends
slippers, work from home, fall 2002 fashion trends, fashion trends, shoe trends

To buy: Celtic & Co. Cocoon shearling slippers, $110.

2. The cardi-coat

Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel Green had arguably one of the best sweater collections ever, and there were more than a few floor-length cardigans in there. The knit duster was a legitimate late-’90s, early ’00s trend that was already starting to creep its way back to fashion’s collective mindset. Rick Owens may have presented a dystopian view of the garment — blanket as fashion in an eerily foreshadowed quarantine — but we’re betting the more wear-friendly knit option will get lots of wear as a legit fall fashion trend that everyone can opt in on.

sweater coat, maxi cardigan, knit duster, fall 2020 trends, fashion trends, fall 20 trends
sweater coat, maxi cardigan, knit duster, fall 2020 trends, fashion trends, fall 20 trends

To buy: Tularosa Tomile knit robe, $98 (was $188).

apparis, apparis cardigan, cardigan coat, knit duster, sweater coat, fall 2020 fashion trends, trends, fashion
apparis, apparis cardigan, cardigan coat, knit duster, sweater coat, fall 2020 fashion trends, trends, fashion

To buy: Apparis Aria cardigan coat, $148.

fall 2020 trends, fashion trends, cardi coat, knit duster, netaporter
fall 2020 trends, fashion trends, cardi coat, knit duster, netaporter

To buy: Lauren Manoogian alpaca cardigan, $395 (was $790).

3. The “nap” dress

Who can argue with a piece of clothing designed to take a nap in? This summer’s cleverly named nap dress — basically a chic, updated version of a vintage nightgown-turned-housedress that can be worn both at home and in public, or while running through a “Sound of Music”-esque field — is bound to stay in rotation. Just throw that floor length sweater over it, slip on some slide slippers and voila! A lazy-chic early fall fashion trend ensemble is born.

nap dress, nap dress trend, fall 2020 trends, fall 2020 fashion trends, fashion trends, nap dress summer 2020
nap dress, nap dress trend, fall 2020 trends, fall 2020 fashion trends, fashion trends, nap dress summer 2020

To buy: Hill House Home Athena nap dress, $100.

english factory, fall 2020 fashion trends, fashion trends, nap dress, nightgown, shopbop
english factory, fall 2020 fashion trends, fashion trends, nap dress, nightgown, shopbop

To buy: English Factory floral embroidered babydoll dress, $100.

doen, doen dress, fall 2020 fashion trends, fall 2020 trends, trends, nap dress, summer 2020 fashion trends
doen, doen dress, fall 2020 fashion trends, fall 2020 trends, trends, nap dress, summer 2020 fashion trends

To buy: Dôen Lovisa nightgown, $198.

4. The knit set

Hands down one of the best fall fashion trends to come out of the new stay-at-home mentality the knit set. As brands have pivoted their offerings to adjust a new way of life, many are seeking out chic but simple knitwear that are basically luxurious, public-friendly pajamas. If you don’t have a knit pant this fall and winter, you’re going to be missing out on the fall fashion trend with the most comfort.

figs, loungewear, knit set, work from home, pajamas, fall 2020 trends, fashion trends, fall 2020
figs, loungewear, knit set, work from home, pajamas, fall 2020 trends, fashion trends, fall 2020

To buy: Figs knit loungewear set, $66 (was $88).

skims, skims cozy knit tank, kim kardashian, skims kim kardashian, fall 2020 fashion trends
skims, skims cozy knit tank, kim kardashian, skims kim kardashian, fall 2020 fashion trends

To buy: Skims cozy knit tank, $52.

skims, skims knit pant, fall 2020 trends, fashion trends, knit set
skims, skims knit pant, fall 2020 trends, fashion trends, knit set

To buy: Skims cozy knit pant, $88.

5. The ballet flat

Ubiquitous in the early aughts (thanks, Tory Burch), the ballerina fell somewhat out of favor in the last decade, as women favored sneakers and then loafers and boots and their flat footwear. Perhaps it’s out of necessity — what’s easier than a ballet shoe? — or maybe the fashion cycle is just coming back around, but the ballet flat is destined to be a big fall fashion trend. Find chic options in chain accents, ruched leather and even shearling for a not-quite-but-almost slipper.

schutz, schutz shoes, fall 2020 fashion trends, ballet flat
schutz, schutz shoes, fall 2020 fashion trends, ballet flat

To buy: Schutz Brisey flat, $116 (was $165).

tory burch, tory burch minnie flat, fall 2020 fashion trends, shoes trends, shoes, ballet flats
tory burch, tory burch minnie flat, fall 2020 fashion trends, shoes trends, shoes, ballet flats

To buy: Tory Burch Minnie ballet flat, $268.

fall 2020, fall 2020 fashion trends, fashion trends, gucci, gucci ballet flat, gucci horsebit
fall 2020, fall 2020 fashion trends, fashion trends, gucci, gucci ballet flat, gucci horsebit

To buy: Gucci leather ballet flat with horsebit detailing, $890.

6. The bathrobe coat

Why stop at pajamas? Cozy, shearling coats meant to be tied were already all over the fall’ 20 runways, from Rag & Bone to Stella McCartney, but the current state of the world — and the instinct to just hide from it — makes the oversized bathrobe overcoat a must-have fall fashion trend in its sartorial self-soothing.

opening ceremony, faux fur coat, teddy coat, fall 2020 fashion trends, fashion trends, fall 2020 coats
opening ceremony, faux fur coat, teddy coat, fall 2020 fashion trends, fashion trends, fall 2020 coats

To buy: Opening Ceremony reversible faux fur coat, $238 (was $595).

apparis faux fur coat, apparis, faux fur coat, fall 2020 fashion trends, fashion trends, teddy coat
apparis faux fur coat, apparis, faux fur coat, fall 2020 fashion trends, fashion trends, teddy coat

To buy: Apparis Mona faux fur coat, $300.

parosh, parosh coat, faux fur coat, fall 2020 fashion trends, fashion trends, teddy coat
parosh, parosh coat, faux fur coat, fall 2020 fashion trends, fashion trends, teddy coat

To buy: P.A.R.O.S.H. tie waist midi coat, $520.

7. The “apocalyptic” rubber-soled boot

Footwear designers and fashion’s collective mindset must have had some sort of premonition that things were about to go awry. How else to explain why Prada, Bottega Veneta, Christian Dior and more would go big on the hybrid combat boot that? The fall ’20 runways had lots of rubber-soled options that look like they can kick some butt and then be easily cleaned with a Clorox wipe. That’s a true fall fashion trend for 2020.

both paris, both gao boot, fall 2020 fashion trends, fashion trends, fall 2020 shoe trends, boots
both paris, both gao boot, fall 2020 fashion trends, fashion trends, fall 2020 shoe trends, boots

To buy: Both Gao lace-up rubber boot, $177 (was $590).

jeffrey campbell, fall 2020 fashion trends, shoe trends, boots
jeffrey campbell, fall 2020 fashion trends, shoe trends, boots

To buy: Jeffrey Campbell Destructs platform boot, $165.

other stories, fall 2020 fashion trends, fall trends, fall 2020, other stories boots, boots
other stories, fall 2020 fashion trends, fall trends, fall 2020, other stories boots, boots

To buy: & Other Stories chunky platform leather boot, $229.

8. Hands-free handbags

One thing many have learned while grocery shopping in a pandemic? You don’t really want to be carrying a bag in hand. Between face masks and constantly wiping everything down, no one needs the added worry of having to hold a handbag. Count on cross bodies and, yes, fanny packs to be the only relevant fall fashion trends for both now and this coming season.

zac posen, fall 2020 fashion trends, handbags, cross body bag
zac posen, fall 2020 fashion trends, handbags, cross body bag

To buy: Zac Zac Posen Belay mini cross body bag, $195.

maison margiela, shopbop, fall 2020 fashion trends, belt bags
maison margiela, shopbop, fall 2020 fashion trends, belt bags

To buy: Maison Margiela leather belt bag, $597 (was $1,195).

wandler bag, wandler hortensia bag, fall 2020 fashion trends, cross body bag
wandler bag, wandler hortensia bag, fall 2020 fashion trends, cross body bag

To buy: Wandler Hortensia medium leather bag with cross body strap, $552 (was $920).

9. Socks, with everything

There are many uncertainties in the world right now, but socks are not one of them. The first nip in the air and it’s guaranteed that literally everyone will go through their sock collection — and figure out what styles they still need. It wasn’t long ago that Birkenstocks and sandals were the dorkiest way to wear shoes, but it’s very likely the chicest of the chic will be wearing their Chanels with cozy stockings through the colder months, proving that the “ugly” sandal can cross over to be a fall fashion trend.

gucci socks, gucci, fall 2020 fashion trends, trends, fashion, fashion socks
gucci socks, gucci, fall 2020 fashion trends, trends, fashion, fashion socks

To buy: Gucci GG pattern cotton blend socks, $155.

 

chunky knit wool socks, wool socks, fall 2020 fashion trends, trends, fashion, socks
chunky knit wool socks, wool socks, fall 2020 fashion trends, trends, fashion, socks

To buy: Thick knit crew socks, 3-pack, $11.

fyc socks, socks, fall 2020 fashion trends, trends
fyc socks, socks, fall 2020 fashion trends, trends

To buy: FYC women’s wool crew socks, 5-pack, $8.

10. “Zoom” tops with a twist

Most of this year’s fall fashion trends are about practicality, from the colors (neutrals and a lot of browns) to materials (pajama-like everything). But if there is one piece of clothing that shoppers are likely to jazz up a bit, it’s the “Zoom” shirt. This will be open to interpretation and occasion, from meetings to cocktails to first dates, but shirts, blouses, sweaters and tanks will be the desired garments for color, print and embellishment. That can include the season’s predominance of plaid or a cool cutout or accent on an otherwise practical sweater.

maje, argyle sweater, fall 2020 fashion trends, trends, maje top
maje, argyle sweater, fall 2020 fashion trends, trends, maje top

To buy: Maje argyle sweater, $133 (was $165).

ganni, ganni top, leopard print, leopard print top, turtleneck, fall 2020 fashion trends, fashion
ganni, ganni top, leopard print, leopard print top, turtleneck, fall 2020 fashion trends, fashion

To buy: Ganni leopard print mesh turtleneck, $54 (was $135).

english factory, smocked top, fall 2020 fashion trends
english factory, smocked top, fall 2020 fashion trends

To buy: English Factory smocked puff sleeve top, $70.

11. The cape coat

In case the sweater duster or the bathrobe coat don’t provide enough cozy comfort, the cape is here to save the day as one of the easiest fall fashion trends when it comes to outerwear. There were myriad examples on the runways, from Just make sure the cape doesn’t obscure one’s hands while grocery shopping.

amazon, shawl, cape, fall 2020 fashion trends, shawl, cape
amazon, shawl, cape, fall 2020 fashion trends, shawl, cape

To buy: Women’s checked cape, $30.

pendleton, cape, pendleton cape, fall 2020 fashion trends, trends, coats
pendleton, cape, pendleton cape, fall 2020 fashion trends, trends, coats

To buy: Pendleton Tuscon wool blend cape, $180 (was $450).

netaporter, wool cape, fall 2020 fashion trends, fashion trends, coats
netaporter, wool cape, fall 2020 fashion trends, fashion trends, coats

To buy: Johnstons of Elgin fringed two-tone wool cape, $295.

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