Fashion is fun, and trends can certainly be inspiring. But trends are only valuable if they help you express who you are, declares Michele Jenae Dieckmeyer, personal stylist, purposeful wardrobe coach and owner of Fringe & Form, an elevated women's clothier in Carmel.
"At Fringe & Form, we believe clothing should support your life, not complicate it. Whether you're building a professional wardrobe, preparing for retirement, traveling more, navigating a life transition or simply wanting to feel more confident, the goal isn't to own more clothing. It's to own the right clothing," she asserts.
Michele says she and the Fringe & Form team at 736 Hanover Place, Ste. 100b, intentionally curate collections that work across different ages, body types, lifestyles and budgets, because every woman deserves to feel seen. "We help women invest in themselves by building wardrobes with purpose; pieces they'll love wearing season after season, pieces that will last."
For this upcoming fall, Michele predicts for women, a beautiful mix of rich, sophisticated colors will be popular. Burgundy and deep oxblood continue to be very strong, along with chocolate brown, olive, espresso, charcoal, warm camel and deep navy, she says. Rich shades of purple, from plum and aubergine to blackberry, also will make a strong statement this season, offering a beautiful alternative to traditional fall neutrals, she reminds. Soft, muted blues continue to emerge as a fresh alternative to black, while jewel tones, such as deep teal and forest green, add richness without feeling overly trendy.
For men, many of these same colors will carry over this fall: navy, olive, chocolate, charcoal, camel, burgundy, deep greens and rich plum accents. Michele says the overall palette should feel timeless and versatile, making it easy around which to build a wardrobe.
On a national basis, key fall looks are being described as moody maroon, suede, leather bomber jackets, sheer layering pieces and cocoon-like silhouettes.
"I think we'll certainly see those same fashion influences this fall," agrees Michele. "Burgundy is proving to have remarkable staying power, and suede and leather continue to add richness and texture to fall wardrobes. Cocoon silhouettes also offer comfort while creating an interesting architectural shape."
However, Michele is quick to remind women that trends are meant to inspire, not dictate. "The best wardrobe isn't built by chasing every trend. It's built by selecting the pieces that complement your lifestyle, body and personal style," she states.
Some national fashion leaders indicate certain looks will be about the feminine versus tough contrast of pairing floaty, ultra-feminine ruffled or sheer tops with structured, straight-leg trousers, seemingly "borrowed from the boys."
"Contrast is one of the strongest themes we're seeing," Michele states.
"Pairing something soft and feminine with something structured creates balance and visual interest. A romantic blouse with tailored trousers, a silk dress with a leather jacket, or delicate jewelry worn with a menswear-inspired blazer all create a sophisticated look that feels modern without being overdone," she explains.
Sheer sleeves, lightweight overlays, mesh layering pieces and subtle transparency add texture and dimension without feeling revealing. Michele says she expects women will embrace the elegance of these fabrics while styling them in ways that fit their everyday lives.
Regarding sweaters and cardigans, Michele believes some geometric patterns and updated takes on classic argyle will occur, but she doesn't think they'll define the 2026 autumn season.
"Many women today are investing in quality pieces they'll enjoy for years, so beautiful knitwear with interesting textures, luxurious fibers and timeless styling will continue to have broad appeal. Patterns are fun, but versatility is what most women ultimately appreciate," she adds.
In specialty retail, seasonal clothing collections are purchased many months in advance. Indeed, Michele says she purchased the fall and winter 2026 collections for the boutique in January and February.
"We carefully curate collections from primarily European designers and many family-owned brands known for exceptional quality and craftsmanship. Rather than buying based solely on trends, we intentionally select collections that work together across seasons and offer something for women of different lifestyles, body types, ages and personal styles," she says.
Rather than one specific item sought after each season, Michele says Fringe & Form clients look for items based on their lifestyles and where they are in life: "A working professional may be updating her wardrobe for the office, for example, while someone who is retired may be looking for elevated casual pieces or versatile travel clothing."
Michele says what all the boutique's clients have in common is that they're investing intentionally. "They're looking for pieces that are comfortable, beautifully made, flattering and versatile enough to wear in multiple ways. We spend a great deal of time helping women identify the gaps in their wardrobes and build around what they already own, rather than encouraging unnecessary purchases."
She concludes, "Our goal isn't to dress every woman the same; it's to help every woman find pieces that feel authentically like her."
"Confidence comes before clothing. Clothing should simply help reflect the woman you already are."
Michele Dieckmeyer, Fringe & Form founder, wardrobe dressing means "moving away from buying isolated outfits and instead building a collection of pieces that you love, ones that work together in groupings. Most women don't need more clothing. They need clothing that works harder, and in conjunction with each other. I encourage women to think about how a new piece integrates into what they already own. Can it be dressed up or down? Can it travel? Will it work for multiple occasions? When wardrobes are intentional, getting dressed becomes easier, shopping becomes more purposeful, and you ultimately buy less while wearing more of what you own. This affords many women the luxury and ability, without guilt, to buy higher quality clothing, pieces they love, that last."