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A change in season calls for a change in dress — sort of. Temperatures dance between summer’s sweltering heat and dip to fall’s first chill, all in a single day. The upside? Ease into autumn without an excessive wardrobe overhaul. You can romanticize fall one step at a time in the season’s must-have boots that take your style to new heights, drape yourself in luxurious lightweight knitwear for all the cozy feels or top off your transitional weather ensemble with knee-sweeping statement coats for a touch of main-character energy. Whether you’re swapping in a leather circle skirt or adding a thin turtleneck to layer the look, consider the transitional weather season a fresh opportunity to experiment with new beauty sans sweat. Ladylike red lips and ’60s-inspired eyeliner flicks create depth and sophistication in a swipe while you alternate between extremes of sleek wet locks to hair-raising, voluminous body. As auburn leaves flutter in the air, you’ll have harvested plenty of new swoon-worthy fashions without overindulgence.
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Skims Soft Smoothing Seamless Turtleneck Top
The turtleneck is a fall 2024 style essential for the season’s high neckline trend. Skims’ lightweight layer is ideal to wear now under a trench coat and layer under knits and button-down shirts as winter approaches.
Cozy Earth The Plush Lounge Socks
This fall, the socks you select are just as important as your footwear. Contrast strapping shoe styles with the soft touch of Cozy Earth’s ultra plush socks to stomp and strut with the utmost comfort.
Use this exclusive promo code WWDCOZY for 30% off your purchases now until September 30th.
Miu Miu Penny Loafers
“This fall, weighted loafers are a coveted take on this classic shoe, especially when styled with socks and a miniskirt or shorts for those transitional days. Highlights within loafers track with menswear trends, featuring neutral colors like black, brown and burgundy.” — Rickie De Sole, vice president, fashion director at Nordstrom
Rag & Bone Charlie Ankle Barrel-Leg Jeans
The denim-on-denim trend continues to dominate this fall, but even if the Canadian tuxedo doesn’t fit your style vibe, a fresh pair of jeans with a dramatic silhouette provides just enough interest for a cool, casual weekend look.
Chanel Stylo Ombré Et Contour Eye Shadow Liner
“This is a very simple way to play with color on the eyes and make it bold. A statement eye shadow look can be simple and small but bright.” — Celebrity makeup artist Jenna Menard
Zimmermann Illustration Billow Mini Dress
This Zimmermann mini dress combines two of fall’s biggest fashion trends: romantic boho dresses and animal prints. Pairing the ferociously feminine dress with a sturdy boot or menswear-inspired loafer creates an effortlessly cool juxtaposition.
Valentino Garavani Boots
“The unexpected pairing of feminine dresses with moto boots creates a perfect balance of soft and hard, making it an ideal transitional look. Take a cue from the Miu Miu runway and elevate your style by pairing them with smart skirts and officewear.” — Rickie De Sole, vice president, fashion director at Nordstrom
Surratt Beauty Auto-Graphique Liner
“A shorter, thinner ‘60s-inspired eyeliner flick is the modern, more approachable take on a cat eye. I love a liquid liner with a brush tip versus because they make it easier to follow the shape of your lash line.” — Menard
Lapointe Vinyl Double-breasted Trench With Shearling Collar
Invest in a statement coat this season that commands the room’s attention, whether paired with a lightweight slip dress, office-appropriate trouser ensemble, or with matching vinyl mauve HotPants, as seen on the runway of Lapointe’s fall 2024 collection.
Stuart Weitzman Naomi 50 Boots
Quiet luxury or loud luxury? Either way, croc-embossed leather accessories adds a rich finishing touch to complete any look this season.
Andrew Fitzsimons Body Volume Blowdry Hold Hair Spray
“A layered Brigitte Bardot-inspired hair look with volume mostly in the back is wearable and complimentary to everyone. I created this product with caffeine to wake up your roots and give major volume without making your hair feel crunchy or straw-like.” — Celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons
Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello Le 5 à 7 Bea Bag
Sorry, straw bags of summer, but it’s time to get back to business with a luxe leather carryall. This Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello style is sure to be one of the most coveted styles of the fall 2024 season.
Sulwhasoo The Ultimate S Enriched Emulsion
Just like your wardrobe, a transitional weather skin care routine is all about layers. Start with Sulwhasoo’s The Ultimate S Enriched Emulsion, which packs ceramides and peptides in a friendly-for-all-skin-types formula that bolsters your skin barrier as temperatures start to fluctuate.
Lelet NY Knot Hairpin
“We’re seeing a return to an undone version of a French roll. It’s less ‘90s Pamela Anderson and more like you have a voluminous blowout that you twist into a pin and let your face-framing pieces cascade down.” — Fitzsimons
The Frankie Shop Holland Padded Shoulder Blazer
From Schiaparelli to Stella McCartney, to Miu Miu and Max Mara, the big bold shoulder is back in full force for another season. We promise this pinstripe purchase is just what your fall wardrobe needs for polished perfection.
Me+Em Textured Wrap Front Midi Skirt
Master the art of textural mixing with a touch of tweed this fall. The ladylike midi skirt is a must-have for fashionable fall outfits that transition from day to night with effortless ease.
Violette_FR Petal Bouche Matte Lipstick
“I always feel that a velvety matte lip tends to be more timeless and striking than a super glossy one. Use your fingertips to stamp some of the color off of your lips and transfer it to your cheeks for a balanced effect.” — Menard
Nili Lotan Lydia Shirt
Nili Lotan’s simply stylish ruffled Lydia shirt is one of the most versatile additions one can add to their closet this season for work, weekends and everything in between. Loosen up your buttons and add a pretty pendant necklace for a relaxed look or be buttoned up for the boardroom with a beautifully constructed blazer on top.
Altuzarra Varda Skirt
Full skirts feel fresh this season in buttery soft leather, as seen in Bottega Veneta and Altuzarra’s fall 2024 collections.
L’Oréal Colorsonic Hair Color Device
“Red was a huge hair color trend last fall, but this season we’re seeing more traditional fall colors like rich chocolates, chestnuts, and caramels,” says Fitzsimons. To switch up your color at home, go with L’Oréal’s Colorsonic Hair Color Device, which includes a cartridge that automatically mixes your hair color for you. Oscillating bristles part your hair and evenly deposit the formula throughout your strands for foolproof, flawless color.
NatureLab. Tokyo Perfect Shine Oil Mist
“A slicked back hair look doesn’t necessarily have to be pulled into a bun. To wear a wet look with your hair down, rake some hair gel through the top of your hair then use a shine spray for seamless texture through the lengths and ends of your hair.” — Fitzsimons
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Meet the Experts
Jenna Menard is a celebrity makeup artist. Jenna’s celebrity clientele include, Jordana Brewster, Sofia Coppola, Amanda Peete, Taylor Swift, Kerry Washington, and Kate Winslet. Her editorial work and expert advice have received worldwide recognition in publications such as Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vanity Fair. She has collaborated with top photographers, including Arthur Elgort, Victor Demarchelier, Annie Leibovitz, and more. Menard has also worked with brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Aerie, Burt’s Bees, Clinique, Coach, Gap, Lane Bryant, Longines, Madewell, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Pantene, and Ralph Lauren.
Andrew Fitzsimons is a celebrity hairstylist and founder of his eponymous haircare brand. Fitzsimons has been obsessed with fashion, beauty and form for more than two decades. His passion led him from humble roots in Ireland to cultivate his talent in the fashion industry in Dublin, then to Paris and New York and LA where he counts Bella Hadid, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Megan Fox, Joan Smalls, and Shay Mitchell as his regular clientele.
Rickie De Sole is the Vice President and Fashion Director at Nordstrom, and recently joined Vestiaire Collective’s board of directors. Prior to her current role, De Sole held positions at Vogue, W Magazine, and Vanity Fair, and worked in public relations at Prada. She has also served on the boards of Rent the Runway and Thom Browne. De Sole attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and currently resides in New York City.
Meet the Authors
Adam Mansuroglu is the Director of Commerce for Footwear News and WWD, overseeing strategy for shopping content on both brands, along with writing and editing shopping guides, product reviews, and shopping trend stories across fashion, beauty, home and lifestyle product categories for men and women. Prior to his current role, Mansuroglu was a fashion editor and stylist at Cosmopolitan Magazine, Style Editor at BestProducts.com, and Senior Style and Gear Editor at Men’s Health Magazine. Mansuroglu has been tapped as a shopping expert for editorial websites such as Wirecutter, and his writing has also appeared in Out Magazine, Esquire and other publications.
Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion and lifestyle stories. She has over eight years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She keeps her finger on the pulse of all things related to beauty and wellness, as well as the latest shopping trends and clothing brands.