Can you feel the cool breeze in the air? Not quite? The stifling heat may feel endless but signs of the new season are already showing: pre-fall collections are starting to trickle in. Before we make the full fall shift, there’s a brief transitional window—a liminal period that, similar to early days of summer, is the perfect time to get dressed. Summer favorites get paired with lightweight fall finds, and the resulting looks are layered, interesting, and deeply personal.
There’s no single equation for how to approach pre-fall dressing, but the most compelling wardrobes embrace some kind of contrast. Is it a printed sarong over a trouser à la Dries Van Noten? A Chloé-esque lace cami underneath a new leather jacket silhouette? Maybe it’s a pencil skirt with oversized shirting and a flip-flop. Some pre-fall styles are carryovers from the past seasons; others offer entirely novel takes (in shape or styling) on familiar staples.
Vogue’s Pre-Fall Wardrobe Wish List:
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Femininity, for one, remained presented in the fall collections of Chloé and Saint Laurent, who went big on lace trimmings and slip-like silhouettes. Even Victoria Beckham and Carven showed a little lace, but also brought back a bold red color palette. No longer just a pop, but a head-to-toe rendition, red is angling to be the must-have color of the season. The Row and Khaite, per usual, presented staples (shirting and outerwear) with a twist, and their plays on big tees and oversized button-downs offer plenty inspiration to experiment with proportions.
And we’d be remiss not to mention the bevy of bottoms on offer. Shorts are going long this season, while trousers get a bootcut. If a clean line is what you’re drawn to, pencil skirts were a focus at Kallmeyer, Gucci, and Bevza who showed silky and tailored takes. If your bohemian era is still going strong, a range of floor-grazing maxi skirts, styled against scarf-like layers from Rabanne and Etro, should be on your radar.
Ahead, a look at what’s incoming for the next season, and the outstanding pre-fall pieces to shop now.
The Lace Trim
We’re big fans of lace-trimmed pieces, so it was a joy to discover they’re still going strong for pre-fall. Dresses like those found at Saint Laurent, Chloe, and Maria McManus look perfect on their own or peeking out from under a coat. Or, opt for lacy separates that can be dressed up or down; layered or worn on their own, from Ulla Johnson and Staud.
Scarf Dressing
You probably saw scarf-around-waist styling everywhere this summer, but there’s no need to leave it behind. In fact, scarf prints were found head to toe this season at Rabanne, Etro, and Gucci. Go all-in on the look with a dress, skirt, or a scarf itself; there are endless ways to tie one on—we’re partial to fashioning them into tops.
The Sleek Pencil Skirt
The pencil skirt is looking as polished as ever this season. Done up in satin by Kallmeyer and Veronica de Piante, the silhouette leans feminine and looks great balanced with a structured. Proenza Schouler’s draped take will carry you seamlessly from pre-fall to fall, pairing well with a lightweight cardigan or warmer knit.
The Boy Tee
Leave it to The Row to turn a boyish basic into something enviably chic. Their tee-and-long-sleeve combo may look like what the Z-boys wore doing skate tricks in kidney-shaped pools, but in a subtly textured material, The Row elevates it from Lords of Dogtown material to cool-girl must-have. Staud and Still Here also make a case for that skater-esque layering with super easy two-in-one options. Khaite got in on the big tee action this season, too—with a cheeky cartoon graphic styled with pleated trousers.
The Long Short
Fall may be on the horizon but we aren’t ready to pack away the shorts quite yet. The long shorts on offer for pre-fall could be considered a perfect transitional staple with tons of styling options to match whatever the day may call for. Maria McManus kept it light, pairing white denim shorts with a crochet top and flats, as did Kallmeyer with a white tank and strappy sandals. Meanwhile, 6397 showed us that simply swapping the sandal for a knee-high boot and throwing on an extra layer takes the long short effortlessly into cooler months ahead.
The Transitional Jacket
Somewhere between a chore coat and a bomber, the must-have jacket this season is undoubtedly the zip-front work jacket. The style looks great in any material, from leather to canvas, just keep an eye out for key design details including a blouson gathered hem, classic collar, and of course, a zip-up closure. Iterations have been done by everyone from Saint Laurent and Stella McCartney, to Khaite and Brandon Maxwell.
The Oversized Shirt
In terms of shirting, it’s time to go big or go home. Proenza Schouler and The Row presented classic button-downs in neutral tones while Carven and Adam Lippes dove into the blue. Be it solid or striped, be sure to opt for the biggest fit you can find.
Red Alert
This season went far beyond a pop of red as designers took the bold hue from head to toe. A drapey red dress is a great investment (we loved Simkhai’s take) while separates like Victoria Beckham’s sweater and skirt can either be paired together for a truly statement-making look or worked in with other closet favorites like suiting or jeans.
The Camel Coat
Camel coats are going sculptural. Khaite cut a stunning silhouette by styling their wrap coat (sans belt) with a popped collar, while Toteme’s timeless shawl collared coat is sure to become a favorite for all seasons. Sportmax went for a nipped-in waist on their overshirt-inspired topper while Christopher Esber and Victoria Beckham opted for more masculine structure with their bold-shouldered, buttoned up styles.
Bootcut and Flare Trousers
The silhouette this season is all about a long, lean leg. Brands like Victoria Beckham and Chloé are fans of the floor-grazing cut, opting for pinstripes and plaids this pre-fall. Meanwhile, the likes of Nili Lotan and Theory can count the bootcut trouser as house signatures: both have mastered the fit of the perfect slim black trouser, a timeless addition to any wardrobe.
Great Lengths
Move over minis, hems are falling further than ever for this season’s ground-grazing maxi skirts. Whether sultry and satin like Nanushka’s draped skirt, or done up in a bohemian print like those found at Isabel Marant, Etro, and Saint Laurent, these hip-hugging maxis offer a touch of drama to carry you through the last of summer’s heat.