Fall is my favorite season for fashion, and this year’s trends have me especially excited to get dressed. Maybe it’s the back-to-school energy still wired into us, but come September, I’m ready to shop my closet and my cart in equal measure. I’m not looking to overhaul my wardrobe—just add a few key pieces so what I already own feels on-trend for fall fashion 2026.
At 40+, though, I know I can’t chase every fall fashion trend. Some of them just don’t suit real mom life. I don’t want to be the mom showing up to school pick-up in a sheer skirt—or maybe I do, because I’ve found a way to style this season’s biggest trends so they actually work for pick-up and beyond.
That’s my whole approach to fall fashion trends this year: take what’s cool and trendy, make it wearable, and have fun with it. Here are the fall fashion trends I plan to add to my closet.
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How I’m wearing fall fashion trends at 40
At my big age of 40+, my approach to fall fashion is less about following every trend and more about finding the ones that fit seamlessly into my existing wardrobe and my actual lifestyle. I’ve learned that I don’t need an entirely new closet to look current—a great pair of jeans, a classic sweater, or an everyday sneaker can feel completely different with the right trendy layer or accessory.
I’m also much more willing to try a trend in a small way first, whether that’s a suede bag, animal-print shoe, or a rich burgundy sweater, before investing in a bigger statement piece. For me, the best fall fashion trends are the ones that feel fresh without sacrificing comfort, versatility, or my personal style.
Here are my fast rules for adding fashion trends to your closet:
- Invest in the trend; don’t buy the entire trend
- Use accessories to test a trend
- Pair one trendy piece with wardrobe staples
- Don’t sacrifice comfort for something being “in.”
- Choose trends that work for your actual lifestyle
11 fall fashion trends I’m adding to my closet in 2026
From easy everyday pieces to a few bolder styles, these are the fall fashion trends I’m adding to my closet in 2026—and how I’m planning to actually wear them in real life.
Lace details
Lingerie and evening inspired pieces are still very much on trend this fall. I’m loving lace trim showing up in unexpected places, like on a white tee or a pair of pants. I’m also looking forward to layering an asymmetrical lace-trimmed camisole over a cozy sweater for just a peak of lace for added visual interest and cool-mom vibes.
Peek-a-boo sheer moments
I’m loving the sheer peek-a-boo moment. Think a mesh maxi with an extra-long graphic tee topped with a sweater, or overalls with a sheer long-sleeve top—nothing really revealing, but definitely fun and trendy.
Varsity & collegiate style
Varsity is everywhere this fall—letterman jackets, collegiate stripes, anything that looks like it belongs on a very stylish teen hot throb. I love this one specifically because it already lives at the intersection of “look put together” and “cool mom.” While a letterman jacket isn’t something I’ll be adding, rugby stripes are definitely an easy add to cart.
Animal print
Animal print isn’t something that is new for fall fashion, but this time around, zebra print, snake skin, cow print, and the classic cheetah prints seem to be at the forefront. A few simple pops of animal print this season, whether in a shoe, clutch, or even a top, is an easy way to make a fashion statement this fall.
Mule shoes and the slip-on trend I’m wearing everywhere
From mule loafers to mule sneakers, this style is definitely trending for fall. A slip-on shoe for casual everyday mom outfits that’s actually comfortable and trendy—an easy yes.
Track pants
Track pants are getting a grown-up glow-up this season, styled with a crisp button-down instead of a hoodie, or paired with tailored shorts for something between athletic and put-together. The way to approach track pants as a trend this season is to pair them with unexpected, non-athleisure pieces like ballet flats.
The funnel neck jacket
Every season seems to have an IT jacket, and this fall, it’s the funnel neck. As soon as I started seeing it everywhere—mostly as a lightweight, transitional layer—I knew it needed a spot in my closet. It’s sporty, it’s chic, and it fits right into my casual everyday style. The elevated neckline instantly makes even the simplest outfit feel put together, while offering a little extra warmth on crisp mornings.
Retro denim and vintage-inspired jeans
Denim is having a full nostalgia moment this fall, and it’s less about one specific cut than a handful of throwback silhouettes all having their turn. Personally, I’m on the hunt for loose, straight-leg pairs, think Levi’s vintage vibes, and I’m also not opposed to the Y2K-inspired low and hip-slung cuts sitting alongside easier mid-rise options. Plus, I’m seeing a lot of cuffed or turned-up hems. A new pair of jeans is an easy way to update your look for the season.
Suede accessories
Would it even be fall fashion without the addition of suede. I love it in accessories, as it’s easy to incorporate and wear with everything you already have in your fall wardrobe.
Burgundy, plum, and deep brown
If I’m adding a new color this fall, it’ll be one of these hues. Burgundy, plum, and rich brown are replacing black as my neutral of choice—they photograph warmer, they pair with everything I already own, and they somehow manage to look both cozier and more elevated than basic black. This is the easiest trend on the list to adopt because you don’t even have to change your silhouettes, just your color palette. Another option is to add these hues with accessories.
Adding plaid
Plaid is showing up on everything from classic button-downs and tailored trousers to skirts, jackets, and accessories. Yes, it’s one of those patterns that never really leaves the fall fashion rotation, but this season it feels less preppy and more polished. It’s not flannels and jeans, it’s plaid prints on unexpected basics, like pull-on pants and jackets, which feels elevated and instantly cool.
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Alina Orozco, Commerce Editor
Alina Orozco is the Commerce Editor at The Everymom, where she combines her editorial experience with a love for finding products that make everyday life easier and more stylish. To The Everymom, Alina brings over 10+ years of editorial publishing and digital storytelling experience, as well as snippets of her real-life mom style, making fashion trends accessible and fun for every mom. She now lives in a cozy beach town in Southern California with her husband and their two boys, but she’ll always be a Philly girl at heart.
Feature graphic images credited to J.Crew, Abercrombie, Anthropologie, GAP, and Beatriz Carvajal | Dupe.