There’s a new dynamic fashion duo in the Cosmosphere, and they’re ready to dish on all the need-to-know fashion trends worth investing in for fall. Ahead of their upcoming livestream shopping event with GAP, we caught up with our very own fashion director, Cassie Anderson, and Eric Daman, the costume genius behind every iconic Gossip Girl look (from the OG series and HBO Max reboot). The pair, well-versed in everything sartorial, had a lot of intel to share about the season’s trends; the “It” items that are about to be everywhere; the fashion faux pas they really don’t want to see everywhere (yeah, we’re looking at you exposed thong straps); and the athleisure faves they’re not ready to kick to the curb just yet. Read ahead for everything you need to know about fall trends, and check the link below to sign up for their live chat on September 23rd.
Cassie Anderson: People are excited to get dressed again! Over the last year, we’ve all been accumulating things and haven’t been able to wear them. Come fall, I think people are going to be very excited to wear all of the things that they’ve been stockpiling. It’s just going to be maximalism at its finest.
Eric Daman: I don’t think people are ready to let go of athleisure and comfort, but I think we’re going to see it balanced with designer items—your investment handbag or sneakers. It’s a trend that’s already popping up in New York City, and it’s going to translate into fall.
CA: I’m seeing, over and over again, hints of the ’70s and ’80s. It’s not the ’80s that’s all about big shoulders and prom dress satin ruching. It’s more like the leotard ’80. Again, it’s leaning into athleisure.
ED: There’s also a nod to Americana prep with the varsity stuff. I think there’s a nostalgia in there that harkens back to when I was growing up. It’s a new way of looking at athleisure and adding in a signature varsity vibe. GAP is reissuing its Heritage GAP sweatshirt that feels so nostalgic. I remember having that sweatshirt in the early ’80s, and it’s still kind of a coveted piece. I love that they reissued it, and it feels right on trend for what’s going on. Everything old is new again! Brands are styling in a way where the ’70s meet the aughts, and it feels new and fresh to me.
CA: I’m seeing a lot of people being more eclectic, and being able to pull it off—it’s a delicate balance.
ED: Gen Z really is idiosyncratic and individualistic in the way they’re putting things together. There’s a resurgence of blending eras—this time around, it’s done with gender fluidity.
CA: Absolutely. I also see a touch of ’90s goth sometimes. Like a really oversized pant, but then balanced with a super tiny crop top. Then you have that dichotomy—that play on proportions.
ED: Yeah, like platform boots. That big kind of chunky goth shoe is definitely happening. And there’s a little sprinkle of grunge. I love seeing flannels and camo mixed with the tie-dyes in the new GAP collection.
CA: With the flannels, GAP is making them oversized and using them as shirt jackets. They’ve taken that Portland grunge flannel, made it oversized, and then put a hoodie underneath it.
The Trends to Pass On
CA: It’s the low-rise pants for me. Also, the thong—girls are actually shopping for it. They want a whale tail!
ED: The whale tail with the wedge flip-flop! I can’t get on board with that.
CA: Celebs can pull it off for The Met, but it needs to stay at The Met. Also, shoulder pads are really hard to pull off for the average person getting ready for work. It’s cool in theory, but it just feels like I’ve doubled in size when I try and wear one.
CA: People need a starter jean to go back out into reality. I’ve talked to people who put on rigid jeans for the first time and were like, “this is not for me.” Brands are now using TENCEL fabric where it actually looks like a jean until you touch it, and then it feels like silk. It kind of blows your mind. It does a good job of easing people back into denim.
I’m also seeing a lot of jeans with cropped silhouettes worn with sporty tube socks. It’s not a crop with an ankle boot like it used to be; now it’s a sport sock with a sneaker.
ED: Yeah, it’s a tube stock with a low-top sneaker. I think it’s a really cool kind of amalgam of the ’90s cropped flare plus the late ’70s vibe. I think the denim jogger has replaced the jegging too.
CA: I think the baseball cap is huge. My favorite is from my dad’s closet and I just bought some more — I’m addicted!
ED: GAP has some great wash cotton hats. I think later in fall, we’ll see beanies sneaking in, but transitioning to a baseball cap is where it’s at.
CA: You want to go oversized, but not too oversized. You still want to give yourself a little bit of a silhouette, a nice shape. For example, shoulder pads are really hard to pull off for the average person getting ready for work. When I try and wear one, it just feels like I’ve doubled in size. But it’s cool in theory.
ED: Exactly. Playing with proportion is very, very important, but also pairing it with something more delicate. Say an oversized dress shirt or varsity jacket paired with denim shorts or leggings. Or if it’s a pair of big oversized dad jeans, marry it with something like a sports bra. It’s all about proportion play.
ED: I love fall and I love layering, but I think people don’t know how to play with texture and color. I’m all about mixing and matching, but it just seems very hard for people to get it right. We’re seeing a lot of monochromatic dressing now. Being able to layer in a monochromatic way is a good fix. For fall, a long parka, quilted shirt jacket, or plaid shirt-jacket over a matching set is a very cool way to integrate one print into something that’s monotone.
CA: If you’re confused about mixing prints or mixing in textures, just keep it within a color palette. Easy as that!
