Only buying what you need when you need is a sensible way to approach your next-season wish list. But where fashion’s most wanted are concerned, those bestsellers are long gone by the time the leaves have turned and the weather forecast actually reads fall. In fact, the moment pre-fall collections arrive mid-August, the sharpest eyes (and quickest hands) have secured their first buys for the upcoming season. Fast forward to early September—a.k.a.Fashion Month—where the crowd outside the shows is a good indication of what people will actually be wearing during the transitional dressing period. But refreshing Phil Oh’s street style for daily updates isn’t the only source of truth for trend spotting. In fact, much of what lands on shelves goes directly back to what buyers and fashion directors choose to stand behind after reviewing the collections and taking market appointments. So who better to turn to than these experts themselves to get a sense of which pieces will dominate shopping carts this fall?
Each retailer’s clientele may be different, but there’s an undercurrent that informs what’s resonating in fashion. Are there any carryover trends or styles from last year still relevant now? Which It bag is vying for the throne? And which unexpected print mixes from Dries Van Noten’s swan song collection are a must-have for fans of the Belgian designer? No spoilers here—keep to scrolling to see which pieces buyers and fashion directors are predicting to be fall’s bestsellers.
For Net-a-Porter market director Libby Page, fall’s most-wanted pieces are closet additions you’ll have for years to come. Look to Bottega Veneta and Loewe for on-trend yet timeless fall jacket offerings; Bally and Gucci for luxurious yet practical footwear, and Khaite for new additions to its handbag families. Bally is a recent addition to the Net-a-Porter roster, with its boat shoe loafer already selling out in what Page is calling the color of the season: a rich burgundy.
The Bestseller Predictions:
Roopal Patel, SVP, fashion director at Saks, sees the return of boho glam (inspired by Chemena Kamali’s debut collection for Chloé) as an overarching trend that will bring about a handful of bestsellers: “Flowy chiffon dresses, lace, over-the-knee boots, bracelet bags, and signature Chloé monogram belts are already on every Chloé girl’s wish list,” she says. Zooming on accessories, Patel emphasizes tall boots and mini top-handle bags. “High-shaft boots are perfect to pair back with fall dresses and statement coats. Prada, Miu Miu and Chloé have some of the best of the season,” she says, adding that in the handbag department, “less is more” in terms of size—think mini not XXL shapes. Dries Van Noten’s last women’s collection is not to be missed either: “These pieces are going to be scooped up and treasured by devoted Dries fans around the world,” Patel says.