Must-have trends you need for a stunning autumn look High Latitude Style

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Reminder of the best trends from fall/winter fashion week

Fashion week is an interesting beast. First, it’s way ahead of the actual season so manufactures have time to make “wearable” clothes in the trends. Second, when it’s not the “ready-to-wear” kind of clothing, it’s hard to identify the trends. Third, not all of them work for mature women. I’m not saying you can’t wear them! Oh no, I’m saying you don’t want to wear them because they are pure ridiculous. You know better, because you have seen a lot of trends already when they were the first or second kind around. So what’s trending right now that is not a one-day fly, or in fashion language a season’s It, next season’s yesteryear.

Hats are big this fall

In my lats post, I already pointed out that hats were all over the place at fashion week.

super cool fall hat with trendy details on the band — Fedora c/o Tenth Street with silver color chain, brim and black bow

hat appropriate to wear to work — Fedora with zipper flower

Hats are a Must-have this cold season. #falltrends Click To Tweet
Love the trend, but don’t know how to style it? See the post at the link for hat styling tips and inspirations.

Leather dresses for the office

When you love leather and your office dress code permits wearing leather at work, a leather dress is a timeless investment. Think beyond the classic black for looking your best and a personal style statement. Avoid black when black is not a color of your color palette. Pick a neutral from your palette instead of black.

stylist in a leather dress styled for work — GAP leather shirt dress with printed silk scarf, MOSCHINO belt, vintage brooch, Manolo Blanik booties, Paloma Picasso sunglasses (all own) and tights c/o Hanes

midlife woman in leather sheath with blazer with tweed blazer — Two trends in one outfit: Tweed and leather. Orvis Irish blazer with leather sheath dress, brown GNW tights, coin bracelet and Clark booties (all own) with boot toppers c/o Top of the Boot. Similar dress at LeatherCoatEtc.

Trench coat or other military inspired cuts as well as shirt dress style are great options beside the classic sheath.

Pleated leather skirts? Yes, please. For making an entrance try a leather dress over pants.

older woman in a pleated leather skirt wearing brown and black together — Oliveo pleated leather skirt styled with GNW tights, Michael Kors camouflage wedge sneakers (two trends in one sneakers and animal print), and Isaac Mizhari raglan sleeve turtleneck cashmere sweater accessorized with Gucci belt (logo trend), attachable collar, baroque and three string pearls (all own) and Akoya pearl necklace c/o The Pearl Source Inc.

When you want to invest in leather clothing, you may want to read about what to look for when shopping for leather clothes. You can find more inspirations on how midlife women look stunning in leather clothes in the post at this link.

Animal prints are trendy

While in our childhood, animal prints, especially leopard, were associated with “sexy” and going out and mostly used as a trim on coats (collar, hem, cuffs), or on bags, hats and shoes, today one can buy every clothing with this print. Animal prints are easy to style when you know that they work as a solid neutral.

Even though designers mixed different animal prints on the runway like cheetah and leopard, don’t go there.

There's a difference between the catwalk and the sidewalk. #turningfashionintostyle Click To Tweet

mature woman in in light weight faux fur leopard print vest with plaid skirt — Lightweight faux fur leopard print vest with hood c/o Perfectly Covered with own plaid skirt, GNW tights, Isaac Mizarhi turtleneck cashmere sweater, Hermes collier de chien bangle, DIY bangle, statement church window inspired pendant necklace, and sturdy heel boots for a winter office look mixing prints/pattern (one trend) and wear plaid (another hot fall trend)

See this post for the dos and don’ts of wearing animal print over 40.

Silver clothes

Silver sequins that are small look nice. Stay away from sequins that have the size of a quarter or larger. They just look cheap and will be so yesteryear after the season. A silver rain coat, bag, shoes (pumps or booties), or leather jacket are timeless pieces to invest in.

midlife fashion blogger in silver leather jacket over abstract print dress — Herve Leger silver leather jacket, Banana Republic abstract floral print dress, crocus petal Coach top handle bag (all own) and Ivanka Trump pink suede pumps c/o Wikibuy

Tweed is coming back

A Chanel-inspired tweed jacket is always a great idea. A menswear inspired tweed coat with herringbone pattern is a great classic with a twist. Tweed with a plaid weave is trendy, but classic and works perfect for the office and a casual weekend look as well. Go for a plaid in colors of your color palette, not the It color according to Pantome.

midlife woman looking casual posh in a #WhistleRiver zipper-jacket, jeans, sweater, scarf and heels — Zipped copper ruby zipper-jacket c/o Whistle River, own Oscar de la Rente floral scarf, baroque pearl necklace, London Jean jeans, L.K. Bennett snake print heels (animal print trend), Kieselstein Cord belt and buckle, and sunflower yellow Longchamp leather pilage

Afraid to look old and/or conservative in this fabric? No worry, read this post on how not to look old in tweed.

Capes are having a moment (again)

Capes are coming back. They are a fashion perennial. Thus, investing in a classic cut is a great idea. Capes are unpractical in regions, where it gets freezing cold. Recall, the arms are most likely just covered by your sweater unless you buy very long gloves that go over your sleeves. When you live in a regions with mostly temperatures in the double negative digits Fahrenheit (-10F or colder, -23.3^oC or less), and you absolutely want the cape look, buy a size up and wear the cape over the coat. So chic.

style blogger wearing fall's cape over coat fashio — Gray, pink and white plaid cape (two trends in one) belted over short black shearling coat with Modalo Pippa shark gray bag, LeatherCoatEtc gloves, LeatherCoatsEtc beret, GNW tight, and Salvatore Ferragamo belt (all own)

Mixing patterns is hot

When you know me, you know that I am crazy about the mixing pattern trend. I rarely wear just one pattern in an outfit. Yes, it is risky to pull this trend off. I wrote about how to look stunning when mixing patterns in the post at this link. When you want to play this trend save, go for a dress that has already the mix like the figure print patchwork dress.

Trendy pattern mix: Shein figure print patchwork dress

mixed pattern trend example StyleWe Tiana multicolor long sleeve statement cotton top with skirt — StyleWe Tiana multicolor long sleeve statement cotton top with skirt

Pleated skirts

The pleated skirt trend remains. It got an update in so far that it now also includes peasant style (perfect when your primary personal style is Bohemian) and leather skirts.

Logo look

Remember the logo look of the 80s? The Lacoste Crocodile? The MOSCHINO belt? Well, the logo look is back. When you liked the look back then, and still like it, go for it. But don’t overdo it. Visible brand logos or brand pattern on all burners are the recipe for becoming a fashion victim. Not ageless style at all!

An outfit in the same brand from head to toe is so yesteryear! #agelessstyle Click To Tweet

Layering is a must

Try short over long like a motorcycle jacket over a light longer coat. Dress over pants. Dress over skirt. Cape over coat (see photo earlier in this post). Leather jacket over blazer. Vest over coat. You get the idea.

Anxious to look “fat” when layering? Here is a DIY tip how to look slim when layering.

When you liked the style tips of this post, and want tips for all kind of dressing situation in midlife, buy my book How to Dress for Success in Midlife.
If you liked any of these trend inspirations, it would help me if you pinned them to your own Pinterest board. It’s a great way that your friends, family, and others can see them too.

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Photos: G. Kramm