Known for her exquisite taste, Rachel Schostak has made a successful career out of a passion for having her finger on the pulse of fashion. The Birmingham fashion consultant and stylist — and busy mom to three young children — gave us a rundown of fall 2024’s hottest trends.
“Overall, there are six big trends for the upcoming season,” Schostak says, and many of them are easily interchangeable and easy to dress up or down, whether you’re taking the kids to a playdate, a business lunch or date night.
SUITING/BLAZERS/TROUSERS
Last season’s trend of tailoring and suiting is carrying over: blazers in all different colors, paired with leather pants, suit pants, wide-leg pants. “Mix-and-match blazers with denim,” Schostk says. “And big shoulders are back — if you’re going to the office, you can put together a chic blazer with pants or a skirt suit, a pleated skirt or leather pants. And it doesn’t have to break the bank. For a mom, a blazer over leggings or denim elevates the everyday look.” Brands to try: For a luxury runway look, check out Tom Ford’s tuxedo blazer, Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors — and Stella McCartney is making a statement with bold shoulders. “Max Mara is great for coats and blazers as well as Sportmax, a subset of Max Mara,” she says. She also likes Veronica Beard, Carbon 38; Bandier for modern, easy activewear and Varley is a wearable everyday brand.
“Wide legs in general are everywhere, and here to stay for a while.
Favorite Daughter has a wide-leg trouser with matching vest — you can take it from summer to fall by starting with a base layer of a tank of bodysuit, then a vest if it’s warmer and add a turtleneck or long-sleeve bodysuit, layered with a leather jacket or a long blazer,” she says.
DENIM
“Denim is big here in the Midwest and in general,” Schostak says. “The wide leg that was popular last season has carried over through the summer and it’s not slowing down for fall.” Wide-leg jeans can be cropped or drape beyond the toe — same as trousers. The cropped jean is also seen in boyfriend and baggy styles; straight leg and barrel leg, almost tapered, is also making a comeback. Insider tip: “If a skinny jean works for your body, wear it,” she says. “It’s not trending right now, but I’m a big believer in wearing what works best for you.”
Brands to try: Classic Levi’s have come back; “they do a good job of selling to every different body type,” Schostak says. Agolde has great straight legs and cropped, while Citizens of Humanity offer a more affordable price point. Cos does wide legs, and are great for the “elevated Birmingham mom,” she says. “And Good American caters to all different sizes.”
KNITS
Textural knitted sweaters are classics that go with every current trend. Sweaters, vests, dresses and skirts are on the runway. Brands to try: Stella McCartney, Veronica Beard, Autumn Cashmere. Warm neutrals as well as bright colors — like red, poppy, oxblood and more.
LEATHER
“Leather is all over the runway, in pants, blazers, skirts, dresses — even long Matrix-style coats,” Schostak says. “Norma Kamali has a gorgeous long coat. She does a good job of elevated, simple pieces.” Style note: “Dress for your body, regardless of the trend. I can’t do a long leather jacket, for example, but I can do a shorter, belted version or a moto jacket,” she says. “It’s really easy for everyone to find something that works.”
OUTERWEAR
Going into fall and winter, Schostak says, the outerwear trends are wide shoulders in jackets. “The pea coat has made a return, but with a modern take — it’s not your grandfather’s pea coat,” she says. Penny Lane coats (referencing the character in Almost Famous, taking place in the 1970s) have shearling detail around the collar and lapel.
“The sturdy trenchcoat is very much in, same as last season,” Schostak says. Brands to try: Max Mara and Ralph Lauren are classics. Style note: “I feel very strongly that you don’t need to break the bank to try some of these trends,” she says. “The Gap has a timeless trench, for example. You can pick a few pieces that you want to invest in, and the rest can be more affordable.”
COUNTRY GIRL
“The country girl trend offers an elevated approach to Western styles, like plaids and checkered-motifs on long dresses, suede cowboy boots and tall brown boots,” Schostak says. Brands to try: “Even Chanel has some Western-inspire patterns on their classic jacket this season, and Chloe has a beautiful long green-plaid cape coat,” she says. “A turtleneck under a trenchcoat has a country-girl vibe, and fabrics and patterns are relaxed and elevated, like tweeds and herringbones.”