Autumn lovers, our time has come! The sun’s reign of terror is finally over, and we can rejoice in our turtlenecks and cardigans once again. Gone are the days of wanting to rip your skin off just to feel some relief from that flaming ball of space fire’s torturous rays, now we are free to wear as many layers of wool, corduroy, and cotton as we wish. Hell, we can even wear velvet cloaks if we are so inclined! The age of sunburns and mosquito bites is over. Yes, fellow haters of the heat, the fall season is upon us, also known as the best season for fashion.
It tends to prioritize comfort as well as style to suit the transitional weather. This is where we see a lot of people finding ways of incorporating layers into their outfits of the day. Because of this, there’s more versatility in fall clothes, with layering it means more pieces to use. Pairing denim skirts with cotton sweaters, tights, and leather belts makes for an outfit that is both breathable and will keep you warm if the weather starts to get colder. Additionally, fall fashion is about using what you already have in your closet. Since most of us probably keep our cool weather gear stored away, fall gives us a chance to dig through and find those hidden gems.
Of course, the back-to-school season has some influence over popular fall trends. Dark/Light Academia was practically made by fall people for fall people. The aesthetic leans heavily into autumn marking the beginning of a new school year. As we get older there is a sense of nostalgia for our old school days. If you’re looking to channel the academic vibes then look no further than the movie “Dead Poets Society”. Taking place in a boarding school in the 1950s we see the characters wearing argyle sweaters, button-up shirts, khaki pants, and corduroy. The boys wear loose-fitting sweaters and comfortable trousers that are perfect for both running around late at night or spending the evening in the study hall. The costumes in the movie also make good use of darker colors and earth tones. Much like the leaves that fall on the ground, the color scheme of the fall is typically, orange, black, brown, beige, and darker shades of blue and green. However, by strategically layering warmer and cooler colors underneath neutral shades, the clothes channel the academic style without looking boring.
While the colors of the fall may be warm, the temperature is severely cold. After fall comes winter, and Mother Nature is planning accordingly. But, just because we have to start piling on the layers, doesn’t mean we should resign ourselves to cosplaying as the Marshmallow Man every day. The short-lived, but well-loved TV show “I Am Not Okay With This'' showcases some understated yet memorable looks from Sophia Lillis’ character, Sydney Novak. Sydney’s androgynous style is often in solid colors with little to no patterns. We see layering being a major part of fashion because the movie takes place during the fall/winter semester which is a great source of inspiration for fall wardrobe choices. Outfits are made visually appealing through differences in texture rather than relying heavily on prints. Sydney’s gray, knitted sweater and brown corduroy jacket pair well because of how the textures complement one another. Details are very subtle, we don’t see too many accessories, so all the focus is on the actual clothes being worn. We also see Sydney re-wearing articles of clothing but paired with different items. Again, fall is a lot about working with what you have, so it is refreshing to see a TV character finding new ways of making outfit combinations.
We can’t forget about the classic fall rewatch “Gilmore Girls”. Taking place in an idyllic small town, the show is the TV equivalent of being wrapped in a warm blanket with a cup of coffee (preferably from Luke’s). If you don’t feel particularly inclined to dress up like a boarding school student in the 1950s or a Pennsylvania teenager with burgeoning superpowers, Gilmore Girls has some outfits that play into the aesthetic of the season without asking for too much. The clothes remain on the casual side and lean into Gen Z’s love of Y2K styles. While Rory Gilmore made some questionable life choices during the show’s run, her sense of style is something that most people can get on board with. Most of the time, Rory is simply in a shirt or sweater, jeans, sneakers, and depending on the weather a jacket or coat. We don’t see her deviate too much from this blueprint, but we do see her finding small ways of making each outfit different from the next. Rory’s oversized beige sweater sounds basic on paper but is arguably one of her best looks. The sweater’s chunky knit pattern is what stops it from looking too boring and its color gives the outfit a touch of elegance. Plus, there is no denying how cozy that sweater must feel. Then there is the ever-iconic Lorelai Gilmore whose leather blazer is practically a necessity for the fall season.
Lastly, I want to talk about a movie with outfits that deserve a little more appreciation; “Coraline”. This is a weird one, but hear me out– that star-studded turtleneck lives in my head rent-free. Coraline is all about individuality. From her dragonfly clip to her brightly patterned gloves and black flat-topped cap, her style takes pieces that are delightfully random and makes them go together. Coraline’s trademark yellow raincoat and matching boots are perfect for when it rains in the fall and her style has a childlike quirk. Part of what makes them go together is the confidence with which she wears them. I mentioned going back and finding hidden gems in an old pile of cold-weather clothes to bring back for the fall. Instead of sewing buttons onto your eyes, I suggest finding hand-me-downs that can be re-worn or random accessories that you loved wearing as a kid. Fall makes the passing of time more concrete, and as we get older it loses the charm it had on us as children. So, why not bring back something from the fall seasons of your youth?
Written by JD Valdepenas
Photography by Leonardo Amaral
Movement Directed by Claire Goldes
Styled by Ka'enaaloha Watson
Production Management by Mark Bluemle
Casting, Production Assitance by Jake Pranian
BTS Content Jazzi Almestica