Fall Into Fall: ABCDlady's Guide to Autumn Fashion

Bidding farewell to heat and humidity, hailing in new shows and storylines, witnessing the leaves changing colors, the list goes on. There are a ton of reasons to love the fall. For me, there is only one — falling in love with fashion! Directly from the runway, here are some trends that are bound to give you a fashionista’s edge for the upcoming fall.

Tough Chic
In our not-so-bright economy, if you can’t beat the recession, you might as well embrace it with style. Dozens of designers sent their models down the runway in sharp shoulders, skinny bottoms and lots of hardware — this pool of women is ready to fight the bad times. Get ready to see some of these “tough girl” looks take over store windows this season. But you don’t have to look rough to be tough. Embrace this style with a military jacket, or a fitted zipped up blazer paired with some skinny jeans or harem pants. Don’t forget to stock up on the hardware to complete the trend. Whether they be studs on your shoes, chains on your purse or rivets on your jacket, it’s all about the metal.

Play it rough with a tight-fitted military jacket from Twenty8Twelve.

DKNY's Jersey Wrap Dress spells it out perfectly - simplicity with spunk!

Bold and Beautiful
Heard the phrase “less is more” but haven’t been able to implement it without looking boring? Designers such as Calvin Klein and Lanvin went down the road of minimalism and showcased silhouettes with simple lines for the season that approaches us. Create the look with an effortless shift dress, ideal for the busy mom or executive. Spice it up with confidence and invest in some statement jewelry. Show off bold necklaces and thick cuff-like bangles with your simple dress or, for a more laidback look, dress it down with a casual sweater. The style says “simple” but still makes you stand out without looking cluttered.

Love the ‘80s
If you’re wondering what your color palette should look like for the season, forget the blacks, blues and other cityscape colors, and turn back time like designers Donna Karan and Marc Jacobs did with their fall collections. Instead of a little black dress, invest in a little bright dress in pink, purple or green to liven up your season. This dress will be the new staple in your closet. It is simple enough for the workplace and great for transforming into an after-work look as well. I’m sensing some excitement from the ‘80s babies here!

Pretty Princess
Carrying on its course from the last few seasons, this feminine look is full of lace, frills and flows. Don’t toss out those peasant blouses or ruffled tops just yet. Team these vintage inspired items with chunky knits and structured jackets. The look is girly yet edgy. The trend also extends into accessories and has proven a big hit — bags and clutches volumed-up with frills and bows of all sizes are already popping up in stores.

The cocoon story continues this fall. Try Day Birger Et Mikkelsen's sleepy cotton-blend cardigan.

Wrap It Up
The season is a great time to curl up in a big sweater. This fall, designers did exactly that with cocoon-shaped jackets. They are perfect for bundling up in the cold. Pair up the silhouette with some colored leggings or skinny jeans to give the voluminous upper body shape some contrast. If you’re not sure how flattering the shape is on you, try a cape or a sweater with bat-wing sleeves for a similar effect. They are perfect for in-between weather right at the beginning of the fall. Complete the look with a pair of over-the-knee boots, which are bound to show up at your favorite shoe store in no time — they are one of the biggest must-haves of the season.

Whichever look you like best, just remember to be comfortable and wear what you think looks best on you. Overdoing could make you look like you are trying too hard. With such a large range of trends ahead of us, I can’t wait to see the fall styles in action!

Saisangeeth graduated from Parsons The New School for Design and is a freelance writer based in New York City. She also writes for Fishin' for Fashion.