5 Fall Fashion Trends to Thrift Right Now

Interpreting Anna Sui’s true blue fall style with vintage and thrift finds is easy, you just have to know what to look for.

When confronting the barrage of fashion’s endless micro trends, it’s tempting to head for the safety of your style comfort zone, whether it’s leggings and tees or the dress that never fails you. Having a collection of wardrobe staples that you look and feel great in is half the war of looking good.

But like in life, standout style can only evolve when we are willing to feel awkward when trying something new. So if the fashion thrill is gone, start experimenting – it’s what makes fashion fun. The best way to do this if you’re eco-minded, or a style lover who can’t bear to look like everyone else, is interpret the latest runway trends with vintage and thrift finds. It’s cheaper than buying mass market fashion and prevents those items from ending up in the landfill.

Here are our picks for five items that can be found in abundance in vintage and thrift stores and – luckily for you and the planet – are enduring fall styles.

Isabel Marant’s Oversized Coat

The Oversized Coat –  Big is beautiful this fall, with cocoon-shaped, oversized coats seen on Isabel Marant, Jil Sander and Kenzo’s runways. If you buy one thing from a thrift store this year make it fall’s must-have silhouette for outerwear. Typically, secondhand men’s coats are a miss for their boxy, sloped shoulder style – this season those elements are bang on. Balance the look with slim cigarette pants and add a belt if you feel too swamped.

Reed-Krakoff’s chunky oversized sweater

The Chunky Knit Sweater –  The emphasis on big continues with cozy, comfortable cable knits. If you can find a chunky cable knit, particularly from an American heritage brand – grab it, you’ll be in good company with Michael Kors, Missoni and Reed Krakoff who showed off their statement making knits on fall runways.

Balmain blazer with gold buttons

The Navy Blazer – Synonymous with country living and boating activities, the classic blue blazer with brass buttons is enjoying a revival as a high contrast piece to wear with more casual looks. Flung insouciantly over shoulders like a trench coat, you’ve just upped the ante on preppy style.

Anna Sui’s blue on blue detail

Anything Blue – Forget shades of grey, this season the new neutral is blue. The monochrome look will continue for fall, with fresh-looking shades of blue layered upon with the occasional hint of black. Another way to interpret this trend is the denim-on-denim look, stock up on denim shirts, and denim vests in a soft blue hue to make pairing with dark-washed jeans a more dressed up look.

Jason Wu’s Army inspired jacket

The Army Jacket – This season is definitely military minded, but more relaxed than in past revisits. An epaulette here, a spot of camouflage there – achieving this look is all in the details rather than sporting a full on uniform. Thanks to designer’s ongoing plundering of the theme, expect to find options galore in your local consignment store.

Rowena Ritchie

Rowena is EcoSalon’s West Coast Fashion Editor and currently resides in San Francisco, CA.