With the arrival of cooler days, the annual hunt for the perfect fall wardrobe staple is in full swing. This year, fashion insiders and style-conscious shoppers alike are abuzz over the latest outerwear and skirt trends, as designers blend nostalgia, practicality, and bold statements for fall/winter 2025. As temperatures drop, the right jacket—or skirt—can make or break a seasonal ensemble, and the runways have delivered a diverse array of options to suit every taste.
According to Harper’s BAZAAR, the fall/winter 2025 collections are a veritable feast of jacket trends, each promising to elevate your closet and simplify day-to-day styling. Leather aviator and bomber jackets, seen at Miu Miu and Bally, are poised to be everywhere this season. These flight-inspired pieces, sometimes trimmed in cozy shearling or cut in voluminous silhouettes, offer a relaxed yet polished vibe. They pair effortlessly with everything from tailored trousers to romantic lace-trimmed skirts, making them a versatile choice for work and weekends alike.
But it’s not all about aviators and bombers. The practicality of sporty anorak jackets has also been spotlighted, with streamlined versions gracing the runways at Brandon Maxwell and Christian Dior, and more colorful takes at Louis Vuitton. As autumn’s rainy spells set in, these jackets promise both style and function—never a bad combination for those on the go.
For the maximalists among us, animal prints and faux fur are making a dramatic comeback. Harper’s BAZAAR highlights how designers like Fendi, Khaite, and Tory Burch treat leopard and other wild motifs as new neutrals. Styled with pencil or midi skirts and a pair of knee-high boots, these jackets offer a seamless transition from day to night. Faux fur, meanwhile, is having a vintage-inspired moment, teetering between old Hollywood glamour and bohemian chic. Miu Miu and Chloé have embraced this maximalist spirit, encouraging wearers to pair their plush outerwear with leather trousers or sweeping maxi skirts for a look that’s both bold and cozy.
Suede jackets, a perennial favorite, are also in the spotlight. Rich tones and classic shapes dominate the offerings from Ralph Lauren, Gabriela Hearst, and Fendi. Whether you prefer a tailored blazer or a more relaxed shacket, suede is a material that promises longevity—both in wear and in style. “Stick to rich tones and classic shapes when shopping for a suede jacket; it’s a style you’ll wear forever,” Harper’s BAZAAR advises.
Modern tailoring has taken an unexpected turn with the rise of collarless blazers. Prada and Calvin Klein have introduced these fresh, streamlined shapes as the new go-to for workwear, offering a sophisticated twist on the traditional blazer. When paired with a matching skirt, as seen on the runways, the look is runway-approved and office-ready.
Speaking of skirts, there’s a new (or rather, old) silhouette vying for attention this season: the knee-length skirt. On September 10, 2025, PureWow published a candid take on this trend, noting its resurgence on the runways of Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Fendi, and Gucci’s Resort 2026 collections. The trend fits right in with the ongoing quiet luxury movement and the 1990s revival, which has propelled workwear brands like Ann Taylor and Banana Republic back into the spotlight. Sleek Calvin Klein silhouettes, once championed by icons like Rachel Green and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, are back in vogue.
Yet not everyone is thrilled. The PureWow author pulls no punches, writing, “Knee-length skirts are incomplete thoughts—fabric thrown on the body without intention. There’s nothing confident or compelling in the way it awkwardly cuts off the leg.” The critique? These skirts are neither short nor long, neither sexy nor frumpy, and lack the boldness of a mini or the elegance of a midi. Instead, the article suggests opting for hemlines that fall two or three inches above or below the knee for a more flattering effect. “A quick trip to the tailor can transform a skirt that once felt dowdy into something much more flattering, that you’re more likely to actually reach for throughout fall and winter.”
Despite this personal aversion, the author concedes that knee-length silhouettes will likely be a fixture among fashion editors and influencers during the upcoming Fashion Month whirlwind. Still, for those unmoved by the trend, the advice is clear: invest in timeless pieces like a cozy cashmere sweater in one of the season’s trending colors instead.
Checks and plaids are another outerwear trend channeling the English countryside, with Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch, and Kallmeyer offering both traditional and modern silhouettes. These patterns, whether in classic blazers or updated collarless styles, are described by Harper’s BAZAAR as “timeless, whichever option you choose.” Minimalist and understated jackets haven’t been left behind, either. Tory Burch, Altuzarra, and Khaite have all presented blazer-like jackets with nipped-in waists and curved silhouettes, often in luxurious wool or silk, for those who prefer their outerwear to whisper rather than shout.
As the season unfolds, the interplay between maximalism and minimalism, nostalgia and innovation, seems to be the defining mood. The 1990s revival, with its emphasis on quiet luxury, is evident not only in the return of knee-length skirts but also in the renewed popularity of brands that once defined the era. Workwear is suddenly cool again, and the lines between office attire and street style have never been blurrier.
So, what’s the best way to approach fall fashion in 2025? The answer, it seems, lies in personal expression. Whether you’re drawn to the bold statement of a faux fur jacket, the practicality of a sporty anorak, or the understated elegance of a minimalist blazer, there’s no shortage of options to help you weather the season in style. And if the knee-length skirt isn’t your cup of tea, there’s always room in the closet for a classic cashmere sweater or a pair of perfectly tailored trousers.
Fashion’s cyclical nature ensures that every trend, no matter how divisive, will find its champions and detractors. As designers continue to reinterpret classics and experiment with new shapes, the only real rule is to wear what makes you feel confident—rain, shine, or runway.
