How to look chic this fall without breaking the bank

Fall 2025 fashion trends you can shop your own closet (or thrift) for.

Oct 14, 2025

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As the leaves fall and air turns crisp, fall fashion beckons us with its promise of cozy layers and rich, warm tones. Seasonal changes always feel like a temptress, especially with aptly-timed sales and releases. This is your reminder that you don’t need to overhaul your entire wardrobe to embrace what the new style season brings.

I love reading a fall trends article as much as the next woman but what I love more is being able to breathe new life in my wardrobe without making a serious dent in my wallet. This year, I’m focusing rediscovering forgotten gems in your closet and getting creative with sustainable shopping. Whether it’s that oversized blazer you tucked away last spring or vintage accessories waiting to be discovered at your local thrift store or shopping platform, seasonal trends can be surprisingly accessible. These are some fall 2025 trends I’m loving that feel easy to recreate.

I defined my 3 style words at the start of the year and it’s been incredibly helpful when it comes to styling and deciding what pieces deserve space in my wardrobe. She has a great video around how to define your 3 style words and I landed on Undone, Refined, and Contrast. I’m thinking of writing about my personal process of picking those 3 words soon but as a refresher, the first word is your base—aka your ‘realistic’ word. The second word is your aspirational word and what you want your style to look like. The third is how you want to feel.

The trends I’ve collected below feed into my 3 words really well so if any of those words resonate with you too, then we’re on the same page.

The plaid shirt

The plaid flannel has been a thrift shop staple of mine since high school before I could actually afford to shop for myself. The problem I always had was that flannels were always a little too warm and a little too thick to layer with. I’ve been seeing the thinner sister of the plaid flannel all over social media and it makes me incredibly happy that they’re making a comeback. The best part? You can definitely thrift a perfectly oversized plaid shirt from the mens section of any thrift—they’re everywhere.

I love the ease and “undone” feeling it brings to a timeless column skirt or a pair of trousers. It has that effortless, “I just threw this on” feeling that we all love and can really dress down some of your more high-end pieces to make them more everyday appropriate. I also love that seeing it worn tied around the waist. Same visual effect but also extremely functional incase it gets cold and you need to throw on an extra layer.

Reimagining the lace slip

Last year I decided to stop sleeping in ratty XXL t-shirts and actually invest in sleepwear. While I love a good pajama set, my favorite is still my Intimissimi silk slip. The silk slip has been the epitome of sexy and chic since way before the 90s but celebrities like Drew Barrymore and Kate Moss solidified the appeal of the “rolled-out-of-bed” look

While wearing it with a barely there sandal will always feel timeless, I’m loving the layering usage over pants or a longer skirt for colder weather. Why should we stop exuding sex-appeal once the temperature drops?

My favorite look is the mini slip paired with a sweater and a relaxed trouser but using a longer slip with an oversized sweater looks great as well. If you have silky slip tops they also contrast perfectly with a casual t-shirt or some baggier pants.

Ebay has a massive range of both affordable and vintage options if you’re looking for silk and lace. Thrift stores always carry a small section of sleepwear as well. Or if you want to shop brand new, I’d recommend going to a lingerie store first rather than hitting your fast-fashion options. Better to get real silk that you want to actually sleep in rather than a synthetic fabric that isn’t breathable.

The pre-loved silk scarf

Silk scarves have always been a wardrobe staple—elegantly draped around our necks, artfully tied in our hair, or adding a pop of personality to our favorite handbags. But this season, I’m seeing them used in ways that feel fresh and unexpected. Instead of relegating them to traditional accessory status, the new trend of incorporating silk scarves as layering pieces or cinching them around your waist feels like such a smart styling move.

What I love most about this approach is how effortlessly a vintage scarf can transform an otherwise basic outfit. That simple black turtleneck and jeans? Instantly elevated with a colorful silk scarf tied at the waist. Your go-to monochrome look? Add texture and pattern without committing to an entirely new piece. It’s the kind of styling trick that feels both intentional and undone—exactly the vibe I’m always chasing.

Silk scarves are incredibly easy to find secondhand at vintage shops, thrift stores, and online resale platforms. You’ll also be able to find unique patterns you simply won’t find in stores today. You’re adding character to your wardrobe while keeping things sustainable and budget-friendly. It’s a win all around.

The fun pant

The “fun pant” is having a serious moment this fall, and I’m here for it. We’re talking cropped trousers, culottes, long baggy shorts, and even bubble pants—basically any pant silhouette that feels like the star of the show rather than a supporting player in your outfit. These aren’t your basic straight-leg jeans; they’re pieces that bring personality and shape to even the simplest top-and-shoe combination.

What’s particularly exciting is how designers and stylists are branching out into pants of varying lengths and styles, pushing us to reconsider what “appropriate” proportions look like. I’ll admit, I was shocked when culottes started making their comeback—they felt like such a specific mid-2010s trend that I thought we’d left behind. But I’ve been seeing some genuinely great looks lately, especially when paired with a long-heeled boot. That combination takes what could feel dated and transforms it into something modern and surprisingly chic.

The denim culotte-length shorts (let’s call them elevated jorts) are another standout. They bring that casual, effortless summer vibe into fall while still feeling polished enough for more than just weekend errands. It definitely feels like a natural progression from how much people have been loving pedal pushers and capris over the summer—we’re just not ready to give up those interesting hemlines yet.

The beauty of the fun pant is that it does most of the styling work for you. Pair them with a simple fitted top or tucked-in tee, add your favorite boots or loafers, and you’ve got an outfit that feels considered without trying too hard. It’s exactly the kind of piece that aligns with that “undone but refined” aesthetic I’m obsessed with.

Get creative

Fall fashion doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch or chasing every trend that crosses your feed. What I love most about this season’s standout pieces—the plaid shirt, the reimagined slip, the silk scarf, and the fun pant—is how accessible they are. They’re items you can thrift, repurpose from your own closet, or invest in thoughtfully because they’ll work hard for you season after season.

The key is finding what resonates with your personal style and making it your own. Whether that’s tying a vintage scarf around your waist, layering a slip over your favorite trousers, or finally giving those oversized plaid shirts the styling attention they deserve—it’s all about creativity and intention. These trends work because they’re flexible, sustainable, and most importantly, they feel like you.

What’s next

Besides the trendier styling methods and pieces, I personally love fall because some of my favorite timeless investment pieces all belong to this season. I’ll be sharing my favorite fall staples in an upcoming post so make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it!