I'm a New York City Shopping Writer, and the 7 Fashion Trends of the Season Make Perfect Fall Travel Outfits

From the revival of ballet flats to the comfortable (and easy-to-style) allure of cargo pants, this year’s fall trends are here, and have been seen all over the runways and the fashionable streets of Soho and beyond. If you’re looking for a travel wardrobe refresher, you’re in luck because many of these trends also happen to consist of stylish and functional garments that ensure that you'll always look put-together without sacrificing comfort. 

Living in New York City, I’ve been immersed in these fashion trends since the start of the season. Denim skirts have taken over my TikTok, and I’ve seen more knee-high boots on the street than I can count. Bold statement pieces are in, and they also happen to be an easy way to look fabulous without spending too much time on your look. I’ve incorporated a lot of these styles into my own wardrobe, and the best part is that many of these looks are timeless and can seamlessly fit into any closet — so they'll be stylish investments that you'll be able to wear long after the last leaf falls. 

As a travel writer with a keen interest in fashion and effortless styling, I've taken it upon myself to curate a list of the biggest trends this season and where to find them. Lucky for you (and me), many of these items are on sale, with prices starting at just $12, and options span from cozy sets to eye-catching statement pieces and more. So why wait? Keep scrolling to discover the hottest additions for your wardrobe.

Cargo Pants

I’m always on the lookout for functional-yet-stylish garments. So when I saw that cargo pants had become this season’s latest go-to, I headed straight to American Eagle to try out a pair for myself, specifically the Cargo Straight Pants (which are currently on sale for $54). To my delight, I found these pants to be incredibly comfortable, versatile, and easy to pair with almost every top in my closet. Even better, these bottoms boast multiple spacious pockets that fit all of my personal belongings like my phone, keys, and wallet. 

If you’re interested in adding a pair of these trendy pants to your wardrobe, there are plenty of options out there, including Amazon’s best-selling pair, the Dickies Women’s Cuffed Cargo Pants (which are currently in my cart) and the Madewell Garment-Dyed Low-Slung Straight Cargo Pants, which are on sale for $60.

• American Eagle Cargo Straight Pants, $36 (originally $60)
• Dickies Women’s Cuffed Cargo Pants, $65
• Lepunuo High-Waisted Cargo Pants, $30 (originally $40)
• BP Double Pocket Cargo Pants, $49 (originally $69) 
• Asos Design Low Rise Wide-Leg Cargo Pants, $52
• Madewell Garment-Dyed Low-Slung Straight Cargo Pants, $60 (originally $98) 

Cozy Loungewear

If there's one trend that you should definitely embrace, it's the surge of cozy loungewear. Several retailers are embracing comfort with soft-knit sets, ultra-cozy bottoms, and more. I’m personally sporting my Aerie Gotta Jet High-Waisted Skater Pants with my Aerie Gotta Jet High Polo Sweater to the airport and beyond. Additionally, you can find me frequently lounging around in my TravisMathew Cloud French Terry Hoodie. But, there are so many other great cozy and comfortable travel-friendly loungewear pieces out there, like the Viottiset Sweater Set, an entire one-and-done outfit that’s on sale for just $54. 

• Aerie Gotta Jet High-Waisted Skater Pants, $24 (originally $60)
• Aerie Gotta Jet High Polo Sweater, $30 (originally $50)
• TravisMathew Cloud French Terry Hoodie, $150
• Viottiset Sweater Set, $54 (originally $70)
• Aloodor Women’s Sweatsuit, $32 (originally $39)
• Lillusory Women’s Two-Piece Oversized Sweater Set, $52
• Free People Around Town Sweater Set, $128 

Red Hot Everything

If you loved the aesthetic of Tomato Girl Summer as much as I did, I’m happy to report that bright red is here to stay, and it's a crucial pillar of fall fashion. We’re talking cherry red leather jackets, bright red boots, eye-catching fiery sweaters, and more. And it doesn’t just stop at garments, feel free to accessorize with the buzzy color, too (think: red accent hats and cozy scarves). In fact, fashion-forward retailers like Free People have entire storefronts dedicated to this bold trend.

This style is one of the easier ones to replicate and incorporate into your wardrobe. And with its emphasis on stunning statement pieces, wearing such a fun and seamless way to stay looking put-together without a second thought. These pieces are begging for a spot in your closet:

• Levi’s Women’s Faux Leather Motocross Racer Jacket, $90 
• Amazon Essentials Long-Sleeve Puffer Jacket, $49
• Naturalizer Edit 27 Boots, $156 (originally $190)
• Everlane Felted Merino Half-Zip Sweater, $148
• Francesca’s Avery Balloon Sleeve Turtleneck Sweater, $34 (originally $56)
• Free People Vancouver Mockneck Sweater, $100 (originally $138)
• Wander Agio Women’s Scarf, $12
• Anrabess Women’s Oversized Quarter Zipper Collar, $43
• The Drop Women’s Addison Soft Baguette Bag, $40
• Pacsun Forumla 1 Hungary Cropped T-Shirt, $22 (originally $26) 

Bright Statement Pieces

• If red isn't your color, no worries: bold, statement-making pieces are having a moment in general. This eye-catching trend has taken over the runways, notably with the metallic-heavy pieces from Coach's Shine Collection and shiny statements garments like the Good American Crystal Mini Dress. The color experts at Pantone also predicted that bright yellows, vivid greens, vibrant magentas, and other lively hues will be prevalent this fall. If you’re looking for ways to add this trend into your suitcase, you’re in luck because incorporating singular statement pieces is such a low-effort, high-reward styling technique to keep all eyes on you, no matter where you go.  

From bold shoes like the SeaVees Bolinas Off Shore Waterproof Rain Boots to bright green cardigans, consider adding a few statement pieces to your collection for easy wearing that ensures you always look great. 

• Coach Leah Loafers In Silver Metallic, $225
• Mou Cabin Cozy Slippers, $145
• Sam Edelman Magenta Wool Blend Notch Collar Coat, $150 (originally $220) 
• Xxxiticat Women’s Sleeveless Satin Gold Dress, $24 (originally $40)
• SeaVees Bolinas Off Shore Waterproof Rain Boots, $110
• Chaus Metallic Mesh Palazzo Pants, $69 
• Good American Crystal Mini Dress, $225
• Grace Karin Women’s Long Sleeve Cardigan, $30 (originally $39)

Ballet Flats

This season is all about the revival of footwear classics, starting with ballet flats. And after one stroll in the West Village, it's clear that the trend is already resonating with New Yorkers. Tourists and locals are pulling their trusty flats out of the back of their closets, but if you’re looking to replicate this trend in a fresh and more modern way, I've got you covered; these picks are shopper-loved for their comfortable build and cute style. 

• Birdies The Crane Ballet Flats, $150
• Sonora SoftWalk Flats, $59 (originally $100)
• Clarks Talene Ave Flats, $57 (originally $95)
• Cole Haan Ballet Flats, $110 (originally $150)
• Frank Mully Women’s Ballet Flats, $39 (originally $50)
• Dr. Scholl’s Women’s Slip-On Georgie Ballet Flats, $46 (originally $60)

Maxi Denim Skirts

One of the more surprising, but welcomed, trends this season is denim maxi skirts. In fact, I’ve even been embracing the 2000s staple by sporting the Pacsun Medium Indigo Low-Rise Denim Maxi Skirt all over the city (it looks great with T-shirts, sweater dresses, vests, and more). I’m a huge fan of this easy-to-style trend, and right now, denim skirts are among the first garments that I look for when preparing for a trip. Here are some top-rated denim maxi skirts from around the web, along with a few other non-denim maxi skirt styles (that are equally in-season). 

• Pacsun Medium Indigo Low-Rise Denim Maxi Skirt, $42 (originally $60)
• Wash Lab Denim Pieced Denim Maxi Skirt, $128
• Topshop Denim Maxi Skirt, $82
• Skirt BL Women’s Maxi Pencil Jean Skirt, $40 
• Nashalyly Women’s Chiffon Elastic High-Waisted Skirt, $30 (originally $37)
• Ebossy Women’s High-Waisted Pleated Chiffon Skirt, $27

Knee-High Boots

First introduced in the 1960s, Frye Campus Boots were the hottest shoes on the market. And recently, this retro-yet-timeless style has made a triumphant return in the fashion scene, causing them to basically fly off the virtual shelves. They’ve been impossible to find in stock, but with some consistent checking (and rechecking), I saw that the brand restocked their most popular Campus 14L Boots style. These knee-high boots, although a bit of an investment, are built to last for years and transcend fleeting fashion trends. However, if you're seeking more budget-friendly alternatives that capture the same trend, styles like the Sam Edelman Drina Knee-High Boots (that are nearly $100 off right now) and the on-sale Vespose Women’s 49 Riding Boots are ready to be added to your collection. 

• Frye Campus 14L Boots, $498
• Dolce Vita Knee-High Boots, $169 (originally $260)
• Sam Edelman Drina Knee-High Boots, $152 (originally $250)
• Vespose Women’s 49 Riding Boots, $55 (originally $98)
• Steve Madden Annya Knee-High Boots, $110 (originally $200)
• DuoBoots Adie Knee High Boots in Black Suede, $325

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