As the winds cool and the leaves change colors, it is without fail that I get this invigorating feeling. Potentially a feeling left over from childhood where every September presents a new opportunity to reinvent yourself, or possibly the contagious buzz of fashion weeks across the globe with streets lined with inspiration for how to style fall's hottest trends. Regardless, there's no doubt that my love of fashion rears its head at this time and always pulls me back into the fold. The fun, albeit overwhelming, thing about this season is the sheer volume of trends presented on the runways. In many ways, we're taking a trip down memory lane, but in other ways, we're seeing the rules of fashion being reinvented in front of our eyes.
Since fall has basically arrived, here's a deep dive into three of the top trends you can expect to see this season.
The Romantic Roaring Redux
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Romanticism was prevalent in every runway show, and given the past chaos and upending of the past two years, it's truly no surprise that we're seeing a resurgence of romanticism in fashion. From loose tailoring and soft silhouettes to dropped waistlines and flared skirts, every designer showcased a romantic trend that'll be key for the season. There's also a beautiful amalgamation happening on the runways, between the romanticism of the 19th century and the delicate layers and lace textures of the '20s.
Designers are rejecting the clean, geometric shapes of yesteryear, and replacing them with light layers, voluptuous shapes, and extremely colorful patterns. From the design houses to the VMAs red carpet to magazine editorials, this compound trend is sweeping the scene.
Style Tip: If this trend is too feminine for you, add a youthful touch like throwing on a pair of crisp white sneakers or throwing a cropped moto jacket over top.
Straight Off The Slopes
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Elevated knitwear, preppy sportswear, and specifically the ski-centric items, are gaining traction and will only escalate into the colder months. The first glimpse of this trend was prevalent in IVY PARK's #IcyPark collection, which showcased long-lined puffers, fur-lined hats, and oversized logo scarves. On the runway, big houses like Chanel presented calf-high furry snow boots and chunky wool sweaters, while innovators like LaQuan Smith opted for more understated but elevated cashmere cardigans and fuzzy mini dresses. Hanifa, known for her colorful palettes and exquisite silhouettes, dropped an entire collection centered around knit pant sets and maxi dresses that effortlessly fuse style and comfort.
Style Tip: Layering is key when styling this look properly, so opt for a sweater vest or high-neck bodysuit to add dimension to your look.
Early Aughts Girl’s Night Out
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If you're ready for the nostalgic wave of the early 2000s to be over soon, I wouldn't hold your breath. At every corner, there are re-imagined looks from our favorite icons like Aaliyah, TLC, and Destiny's Child where the overall idea is easy - keep it short and body-con.
While this trend is not new, there is a doubling down that we saw on the AW21 runways. Many designers turned to their archives to capitalize on the collective wave, like Prada and their re-introduction to the 2005 Nylon baguette bag. Some like The Attico shortened their hemlines and tightened their silhouettes. And then others pushed the boundaries, like Off-White and Mugler, who presented statement-making partywear in the form of revealing catsuits, velvet minis, and flatteringly long trousers.
Style Tip: This look is about maximalism, so don't be afraid to add eye-catching jewelry or a colorful bag to top this look off.
To get your fashion fix and to stay up to date with the latest trends, check out the xoNecole Style section here.
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In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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