November Trend Forecast:

Fall Fashions to Watch for This Season

By Chloe LaBel (AMC ‘27

Longchamp Le Pliage: The Bag of the Fall

By Fareeha Ahmed (Fashion Business Management ‘26)

FIT students are trendsetters in more ways than one, but especially this fall season with their Longchamp Pliage bags.

The bag proves versatility and comes in about any color you can think of. So what are my thoughts on the bag? Let’s dive into it.

As New York’s scorching summer makes way for a brisk autumn breeze, it’s time to dive into this year’s fall fashion trends. Based on observations, discussions with peers, and research, I’ve curated a list of the trends to look out for this November and throughout the fall and winter seasons.

The Rein of Cherry Red Red, particularly the vibrant shade of cherry red, will be dominating the fashion scene this season. This trend, referred to as “Tomato Girl Fall” by Vogue’s Kristina Rutkowski in her article, “Tomato Girl FallRed Hot Fashion to Shop Now for the New Season,” has graced the runways of major designers like Ferragamo, Gucci, and Stella McCartney for their Fall/Winter 2023 collections. Beyond the runways, red is everywhere, especially in accessories, from ballet flats and belts to beauty products like lipsticks and nail polishes. It’s the go-to color for a striking contrast to the otherwise neutral fall color palette.

Underwear As Outerwear?

Absolutely. Intimate apparel seamlessly merges with everyday wear this season. Fashion Snoops, a leading trend forecasting service, highlights the prominence of visible garters on the runway, as seen in several runway shows like the Dolce and Gabbana show, where they integrated garter belts into various pieces, including corsets. According to Worth Global Style Network, a leading trend forecasting network, Boudoir-inspired corsets and bustier tops, often layered with knits this fall, draw inspiration from Y2K boho styles. Lace is prevalent this season, peeking out from under sheer tops, low-rise pants, adorning skirts, socks and tights. The integration of underwear and outerwear continues to rise, and I don’t see it going anywhere anytime soon.

The Revival of 90s Grunge & Y2K Boho

The influence of the 90s and 2000s in this year’s fall trends is undeniable. The combination of grunge and boho styles is a cornerstone of the season’s most relevant looks. According to WGSN, bomber jackets are making a comeback, mini box-pleated skirts with belts are reminiscent of the 90s and 2000s, and weathered leather and biker boots reference 90s grunge. Y2K Boho manifests through layered tops, skirts and dresses, with distressed hemlines serving as a quintessential nod to the era.

Julia Guerra for InStyle Magazine describes legwarmers as a practical yet stylish accessory for the colder months, paired with Uggs or Docs. Bows, whether on shoes, clothes, or bags, add a touch of ballet-inspired femininity to the overall look. In addition, ribbon being used as shoe laces and in hair is an undeniable nod to ballet. “Ballet core” is a trend I see sticking around this upcoming spring.

Cowboy Boots in New York?

While cowboy boots have been a recurring trend, the Western influence in fashion is expanding this fall. Fashion Snoops reports the appearance of “Western ruggedness” in the runway shows of Masha Popova and Ashluwalia with braided belts, oversized buckles, weathered leather bags with fringe, and reimagined cowboy boots. This trend has merged seamlessly with Y2K and grunge influences, incorporating weathered leather, hardware, and slouchy styling to bring an edgy and sensual Y2K feel to classic Western styles. In addition, ribbon bows adorning cowboy boots blend this trend with the “ballet core” trend seamlessly.

Bye Bye Backpacks

Yes, I did get sucked into the bandwagon. I can’t say it’s one of my most original ideas, but I am content with my purchase since the Longchamp Pliage is a designer bag of the best quality and price.

$140 for a designer bag that can hold your laptop, notebooks, and more isn’t too shabby. Additionally, the bag has room for a divider, which is a must for organizational purposes.

During a torrential downpour this past week, I had to walk to and from work in the rain, yet the bag was left undamaged, confirming it is waterproof. My friend also happened to drop nail polish on her bag, and not a stain was left on it after she cleaned it off.

To add on to the fun, the bag can also be personalized at the Longchamp store on Fifth Avenue — for free!

Embracing Ballet Core

This season, the world of dance, particularly ballet, is significantly influencing fashion. With lace and satin taking center stage due to lingerie trends and the blend of athleisure and everyday wear post-Covid, ballet core is in full effect this fall. According to Héloïse Salessy for Vogue France, “ballet core” is embraced through ballet flats, bodysuits and legwarmers. Ballet flats in shades of red, metallics and pastels have appeared as a staple in everyday wear this season.

Backpacks are making way for tote bags this season. In an increasingly digital world where physical textbooks are becoming obsolete, tote bags offer a versatile alternative. Totes come in various sizes, styles and designs, making them a staple for this fall. Their popularity isn’t limited to this season; WGSN predicts the emergence of tote-to-backpack transitional bag designs in the future.

In a world where trends evolve rapidly, it’s exciting to see how individuals interpret and incorporate these trends into their unique styles on the streets of NYC and around FIT’s campus. Fashion is not just about what’s in; it’s about how you make it your own.

The bag does come with its fair share of pros, but what about its cons? Making sure the strap stays on my arm is a deal breaker for a tote bag. I hate to break it to everyone, but this bag doesn’t meet my standards in that way, especially if I am wearing a bulky jacket or sweatshirt.

Additionally, trying to get the bag to open by fighting with the zipper and the button is a hassle. To top that off, the bag comes with two tiny pockets that barely fit my AirPods. All that being said, will you hop on the Pliage crusade?