Ellen Chapman ’27
Staff Writer
The autumnal equinox brings not only the hope for cooler weather and the dawn of witching season, but also a change in attire. As the temperatures begin to drop, (and jump right back up) and the leaves start changing, the campuses’s physical style evolves and embraces autumnal fashion. From runways to the “For You Page,” trends are popping up everywhere, and are on display at the 5Cs.
The days of simple dressing are over, so lay your skinny jeans and Ugg boots to rest and start exploring silhouettes and styles that cross boundaries. The mixing of feminine and masculine pieces result in a look that is both visually interesting and a canvas upon which the wearer can outwardly express their discontent with traditional fashion boundaries. So, I urge you to pair a silk skirt with an oversized graphic tee, tiny tops with baggy jeans, or simply add a bow or sparkle to any and all pieces.
The fun does not, however, end there — it heads south and embraces the Western aesthetic. From cowboy boots to workwear-inspired jackets, country is in full force. Adorn your items with fringe, shimmy into those well-worn Levi’s, and throw on a suede vest for the country aesthetic that extends beyond the twangs of its music.
Contrastingly, autumn lends itself to the full embrace of the Ralph Lauren campaign and J. Crew ad, New England fantasies with the adoption of classic looks. Classic, timeless, ’90s — fall’s eternal buzzwords.
But first, we must pay homage to the icons, both of yesterday and today, who gave us what we so dearly call “fall fashion.” This season, Rory Gilmore is once again reclaimed and updated to produce fresher, younger looks. Alongside her, as Vogue suggests, inspiration emerges from the timeless chic of Caroline Bessette-Kennedy. Fashion inspiration, like most new ideas these days, can stem from endless TikTok scrolls embracing the looks of Acquired Style, Matilda Djerf, and the internet institution Emma Chamberlain. It would be remiss to not pop across the pond and shed light on the British publication Sheerluxe, whose office is straight-up “The Angel Wears Prada.” Inspiration can also be found closer to home in J. Crew’s head of womenswear, Olympia Gayot, a woman whose style can only be described as classically inventive.
Knitwear is, of course, the marker of a transition into the final months of the year. Chunky knit sweaters, preferably boxy-cut, in an array of neutrals and rich jewel tones, unravel across the campuses. The cardigan has taken center stage and been reimagined in a multitude of silhouettes, materials, and colors. From slouchy and loose to fitted, there is a buttoned knit for everyone. The latest — and quite architectural — trend regarding the tried and true cardigan is wearing it with only the top button fastened. This styling creates interest and new shape to a simple look. The Fair Isle knit has been flagged by many fashion experts as the hottest (quite literally) trend.
Fall and winter are not seasons known for interesting tops, but think again — for this year designers have spared no expense in creating unique pieces of wearable art. The overarching theme is reenvisioning a simple top to create more interesting shapes and a structured, architectural look. Autumn is seeing an abundance of off-the-shoulder, one-shoulder, twisted straps, backless, and others with intriguing drapery. Additionally, the denim button-down and vest have been seen splashed across magazines and trotting around our very own campuses. Lastly, it would be wrong not to address the vast vest-wear seen around school. From tailored suits to fringed or embroidered designs, a vest creates endless opportunities for dressing up a basic cool-weather outfit.
A classic pair of straight-leg jeans, or its younger cousin, the barrel-leg, is quintessentially fall. Long skirts remain a staple of the Scripps uniform with students opting for denim this season. Cowboy couture reigns supreme into the cooler months with denim-on-denim remaining a sophisticated classic. This look has been reimagined in many ways with button-down Western shirts paired with skirts or monochromatic denim jackets and pants. The darker, richer blue and black washes are hauled out of storage and take their trot around the campuses. Pencil skirts have flooded runways, but the 5Cs are sticking to a more fitted mini or a flowy maxi. Nearly every designer has showcased a leather skirt in every imaginable cut this season, but Claremont has yet latch onto this style.
Footwear quite literally steps up every outfit. When September melts into October and November, the flip-flop is laid to rest and boots become the mainstream. This season, the famous Frye boot — and its dupes — remain in the spotlight shared with cowboy boots in every cut and color. A knee-high or ankle-length is also always appreciated in either leather or the oh-so-autumnal suede. Biker boots have also risen in popularity as the embrace of grunge cements itself as the new look. Adidas in every model and the lesser-known Onitsuka Tigers remain a practical solution for days when ballet flats simply won’t get you where you need to go. The loafer and its younger alter ego, the clog, have popped up this season and are here to stay.
A drop in temperatures doesn’t mean you can simply stay cuddled up on the couch; rather it is a chance to embrace the cold and don your most powerful jacket. The oversized coat is timeless and should be purchased in materials ranging from denim to leather. This season, as suggested by many magazines and fashion insiders, the canvas barn jacket is all the rage. From tan to brown and this season’s favorite, navy, the workwear-inspired coat can be for everyone. Lastly, the trench is the perfect fall cover-up and adds some elegance to every outfit whether cropped or full-length.
Accessories make (or break) any look and are therefore an integral building block of any outfit. All over Scripps, scarves are donned from the ultra-impractical, ultra-skinny to the cozy blanket that dares to label itself a scarf. Accessories need not be overlooked as students continue to embrace chunkier, more absurd jewelry: fish necklaces, spoon earrings, and every charm imaginable dangling off of gold and silver bracelets. Jewelry like this must be featured, so follow the trends and layer that chunky cuff on top of your equally chunky sweater. Or opt for a stacked look with metals mixing and clashing. The baseball cap remains a home run, and in classic colors, it’s never a bad idea. Its edgier alter ego, the trucker hat, featuring a more structured front and flatter brim, adds interest and lends itself to a cool mixing of gendered styles. And most importantly, for any academically inclined fashion girly: a big bag. This season the capaciously large totes are best constructed from a soft suede or traditional leather and are uniquified with the addition of a charm or two.
This is not a season for understatedness, a word central to this season’s “it color”: red. From a wealthy burgundy to a vibrant cherry red, the color has reinvented itself for the masses. From red Sambas to a luxe red, top-button-done, Sézane cardigan; the color can be interpreted in myriad ways. As always, neutrals are foolproof, and the rich chocolate browns give all the coziness of a pumpkin spice latte. This season, cheetah and leopard prints have emerged from the underbrush and can be seen on a variety of clothing pieces, from mini skirts to Dolce Vita sneakers. It begs you to lean in and embrace your wild side! However, if this is a little too exotic for you, fear not — the tried-and-true stripe is still going strong. Moving into party season sees the widespread embrace of sequins because we all know that a little sparkle never hurt anybody.
Lastly, I strongly urge you all to peruse Pinterest, for the days of uninspired outfits are behind us. So grab your leather jacket, slip on your favorite boots, and throw on a statement jewelry piece, for cold weather is upon us and the outfits must be up to par. Remember, life is a runway, and there is no better place to strut around than the 5Cs on a chilly November day!
