This year I had the pleasure of attending my very first New York Fashion Week where I witnessed the best of fashion both on and off the runway. In between highly anticipated shows and jam-packed schedules industry insiders dominated the street style scene making their very own impression on the world. Buyers to bloggers, editors, and stylists were captured serving one-of-a-kind looks that will forever live in Fashion Week history.
Strolling from one event to the next, I got on-the-ground coverage of the most eye-catching New Yorkers and what they’re excited to wear this fall. From layers to oversized clothing, the overall theme this season is maximum comfort and style while wearing classic staples that go far beyond seasonal trends. Keep scrolling to read the most anticipated items that will define New York style this coming fall/winter season.
Leather blazers
Blazers are a personal favorite all year around, however, I love to up the ante with a leather option when it comes to fall. A staple in the millennial fashion community, blazers can be a lightweight addition to any look, especially during transitional weather. If opting for a chic all-black blazer or making a statement with a colored choice, I suggest a full leather look with matching trousers paired with a contrasting top and a boot to make an even bolder statement this fall.
Layering
No matter your personal style, the addition of layers upon layers is half skill and half art. At the top of everyone’s mind this fall, layering is a must for NYC fall/winter. Whether for fun or functionality, layering isn't just for warmth and comfort but for fashionistas, it's a way to play with your season’s best. Layer your look with warm accessories such as scarves, socks, and even jewelry along with functional items like button-downs, vests, blazers, and jackets.
Oversized clothing
One thing you can count on during Fashion Week is models bringing the best and most effortless street style. I ran into one of my favorite models, Maya, who recently moved to NYC from LA, and had to get her thoughts on how she plans to rework her fall wardrobe for an East Coast aesthetic. When asking both her and her friend Mina what they’re looking forward to wearing this fall, the oversized look was the first that came to mind. “I’m looking forward to layering big baggy clothing this fall for warmth and a genderless look," Mina told xoNecole.
High boots with midi skirts
High boots and midi skirts are a certified look for fall. You can dress this combination up or down depending on your personal style. For a casual look try a calf-length chunky boot with an oversized cropped sweatshirt with a denim midi skirt or for a more feminine and chic approach, wear a high boot with a sleek heel and long sleeve bodysuit or knit sweater.
Cargo pants are trending high on the list of fashion must-haves this fall. A closet staple that you can wear year after year, this is a pant style worth investing in. Tiffany shared her excitement to wear cargo pants this fall with xoNecole, "You can dress them up or down so it's the versatility that I love the most." When it comes to cargo pants, I love oversized ones the most with elements such as acid wash fabric or contrasting stitching to set your pair apart from the rest.
Knee-high boots
Fresh off the runway, I took one look at model Jordan Daniels and knew exactly which item she was looking forward to wearing this fall. Her oversized all-white ensemble made up of a men’s button-down and knee-length soft shorts paired with cognac riding boots defined comfy chic NYC style. Cool and effortless, Jordan made it clear flat knee-high boots are a perfect choice for the fashion girl on the go looking for her must-have shoe.
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Featured image courtesy of @mayamused & @minaelise
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Kayla Nicole says she wore a dress that was once worn by Braxton herself for the Halloween costume. “It’s not a secret Toni is more on the petite side. I’m obsessed with all 5’2” of her,” she tells xoNecole via email. “But I’m 5’10'' and not missing any meals, honey, so to my surprise, when I got the dress and it actually fit, I knew it was destiny.”
The episode was the perfect way for the multihyphenate to take control of her own narrative. By addressing the viral moment on her own platform, she was able to stir the conversation and keep the focus on her adoration for Braxton, an artist she says she grew up listening to and who still makes her most-played playlist every year. Elsewhere, she likely would’ve received questions about whether or not the costume was a subliminal aimed at her ex-boyfriend and his pop star fiancée. “I think that people will try to project their own narratives, right?” she said, hinting at this in the episode. “But, for me personally – I think it’s very important to say this in this moment – I’m not in the business of tearing other women down. I’m in the business of celebrating them.”
Kayla Nicole is among xoNecole’s It Girl 100 Class of 2025, powered by SheaMoisture, recognized in the Viral Voices category for her work in media and the trends she sets on our timelines, all while prioritizing her own mental and physical health. As she puts it: “Yes, I’m curating conversations on my podcast The Pre-Game, and cultivating community with my wellness brand Tribe Therepē.”
Despite being the frequent topic of conversation online, Kayla Nicole says she’s learning to take advantage of her growing social media platform without becoming consumed by it. “I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out,” she says.
On The Pre-Game, which launched earlier this year, she has positioned herself as listeners “homegirl.” “There’s definitely a delicate dance between being genuine and oversharing, and I’ve had to learn that the hard way. Now I share from a place of reflection, not reaction,” she says. “If it can help someone feel seen or less alone, I’ll talk about it within reason. But I’ve certainly learned to protect parts of my life that I cherish most. I share what serves connection but doesn’t cost me peace.
"I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out."
Credit: Malcolm Roberson
Throughout each episode, she sips a cocktail and addresses trending topics (even when they involve herself). It’s a platform the Pepperdine University alumnus has been preparing to have since she graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism, with a concentration in political science.
“I just knew I was going to end up on a local news network at the head anchor table, breaking high speed chases, and tossing it to the weather girl,” she says. Instead, she ended up working as an assistant at TMZ before covering sports as a freelance reporter. (She’s said she didn’t work for ESPN, despite previous reports saying otherwise.) The Pre-Game combines her love for pop culture and sports in a way that once felt inaccessible to her in traditional media.
She’s not just a podcaster, though. When she’s not behind the mic, taking acting classes or making her New York Fashion Week debut, Kayla Nicole is also busy elevating her wellness brand Tribe Therepē, where she shares her workouts and the workout equipment that helps her look chic while staying fit. She says the brand will add apparel to its line up in early 2026.
“Tribe Therepē has evolved into exactly what I have always envisioned. A community of women who care about being fit not just for the aesthetic, but for their mental and emotional well-being too. It’s grounded. It’s feminine. It’s strong,” she says. “And honestly, it's a reflection of where I am in my life right now. I feel so damn good - mentally, emotionally, and physically. And I am grateful to be in a space where I can pour that love and light back into the community that continues to pour into me.”
Tap into the full It Girl 100 Class of 2025 and meet all the women changing game this year and beyond. See the full list here.
Featured image by Malcolm Roberson
