This post reviews the autumn/winter 2023/24 fashion trends with special focus on which fall trends work for women over 50, great fall trends to update your wardrobe, and which trends not to wear. Read what the best and worst fall trends are for us over 40.
Disclosure: This post has affiliate links.
Which Fabrics Are Trending in AW 23/24?
Trendy fabrics are those that stem from natural sources such as wool from sheep, goats, and camels, Tencel, Modal, hemp, or recycled fibers. Recall Tencel and Modal are regenerated fibers from wood and beech pulp, respectively.
Recycled fibers can encompass GRS-certified recycled wools, alpaca wool, mohair, polyamide and nylon.
Trending weaves are tweed, bouclé and corduroy.
Tip: Corduroy is often made of cotton. Cotton corduroy pants or shirts are great for winter in regions with cool winters with temperatures above 50F (10oC). When your winter temperatures are below this threshold look for a wool/cotton blend with higher wool than cotton content to stay in thermal comfort longer.
Stock up on a high quality wool skirt when your primary or secondary style is American Classic or your work dress-code is Business Casual Style.
Tip: Use this free online style finder to determine your primary personal style.
Which Patterns and Prints Are Trending in Fall/Winter 2023/24?
You can’t go wrong with investing in attire with herringbone, hounds-tooth, glen checks, plaids and geometric jacquards patterns in a classic cut. These patterns are evergreens and trending right now. More on styling hounds-tooth the modern way.
Also trending are stripes, floral and animal prints as well as polka dots.
What Colors Are in Fashion in Fall/Winter 2023/24?
The It colors for the upcoming season span a versatile range. Therefore, you will find with ease a fashion color or two that work with your lifestyle, personal color season, and wardrobe needs.
- Black-and-white. More on styling the black-and-white trend.
- Beige in all shades.
- Red. More on wearing red.
- Red orange. More on wearing orange.
- Light blue.
- Olive oil.
- Lava smoke.
- Gray.
- Fired brick.
- Viva magenta.
- Pink. More on styling pink.
- Candy pink.
Try candy pink, bright pink, or light blue shades when your color season is spring, muted pinks, reds and light blues as well as cool grays when you are a summer. Autumn persons may try olive oil, fired brick or red-orange. Winters may try viva magenta, bright pink, blueish red, lava smoke.
Tip: Invest in basics in timeless cuts in your neutral colors; go cheap on fashion colors.
What Will Be in Fashion this Winter?
My favorite trends are skirts layered over pants, double denim, and leather clothing.
The Best Trends of AW 23/24 for Women over 50
Now to which fall trends work for women over 50?
- Tartan in a classic way. Read not Punk or Grunge.
- Leather clothing – it’s wind-proof and durable and works for temperatures above 50F (10oC).
- Black lace. Perfect for a little black dress for the holiday season.
- Wearing double denim.
- Chunky knitwear. Note that chunky knits are often very loose knits. While they are breathable, they fail to be good insulators. Go for very tight knits in wool, cashmere, wool-cashmere blends or wool-polyester blends when you need protection from temperatures below the freezing point.
- When you are tall and thin: Drape and volume.
Here are some examples of great fall trends to update your wardrobe.
The Worst Trends of AW 23/24
- Oversized coats because they fail to provide a thin air layer between your clothes and the coat. In thick air layers, air can move which means it transports body heat away. The result: You feel cold. More on this in my upcoming book.
- Embellished boots unless your personal style is Dramatic or Romantic Style.
- Landscape prints.
- Beige in all shades because it easily looks dirty and washes most of us out.
- 1980s power shoulders.
- Roomy jeans: Read frumpy.
- Skirt suits. Great for Millennia and Gen Z, bad for everyone older than these women. If you go for the look, read this guide on how to wear a suit and not look old Lady.
Photos of me: G. Kramm
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