The Fall season will be starting soon, and even though temps are still quite warm, it is time to spruce up the wardrobe for one of Fashion’s favorite seasons. After the oppressive heatwaves this summer, we welcome the cooling temps and the fun excuses to layer and dress up again. Here are the top four trends we noted from the runways in New York, London, Paris, and Milan.

Posh Prep 

It’s back to school in a big way this September. Posh preppy schoolgirl looks are en vogue, with a stylish flair that the editors at W Magazine touted as “poised prep.” The uniform is comprised of checks, houndstooth, and plaid, complete with miniskirts, short suits, and layered looks featuring button ups under sweaters, blazers, and Varsity jackets, as seen at Carolina Herrera, Christian Dior, Dries Van Noten, and more. The “cardigan club” (WhoWhatWear) also reigned with the classic sweater style appearing in ready to wear collections at Prada, Stella McCartney, Miu Miu, Chanel, Gucci, and Ferragamo. Thom Browne, Loewe, and Elisabetta Franchi even added a tie atop the button ups, adding a hint of roguish masculinity to these feminine book-smart ensembles.

The checks and the plaid call for the understated elegance of darker pearls like Tahitian Pearls and Golden South Sea Pearl. With all the neck coverage from turtlenecks, high collars, sweaters, and shawls, longer strands or drop earrings work best. Consider adding a pop of color like the Sean Gilson for Assael Bubble designs with Tahitian Pearls and Sardinian Coral. For some of the stripes and khaki color fabrics, add a strand of Assael Golden South Sea Pearls or mix it up with a unique one of a kind piece like Assael’s Fijian Shell Blister earrings with Golden South Sea Pearls and Diamonds.

Plentiful Pearls 

Not surprisingly, the trend for pearls is still going strong.  Many designers are newly embracing a return to femininity and the appeal of dressing up or day dressing on a more regular basis. Pearls and “pearl details” (Cosmopolitan) were a natural fit. Touted as “elevated everyday” (Harper’s Bazaar and InStyle), or “Ladies Who Lunch” (W Mag), or “Dress Like a Debutante” (WhoWhatWear), the style is straight off the screen of FX’s Feud – Truman Capote vs the Swans with Miu Miu, Celine, and Chanel embracing the polish of Upper East Side ladies like Babe Paley and her renowned panache. Short pearl necklaces glowed atop refined suits and separates, and multi-strand chokers added a regal touch nestled above the collar bone. Pearl drops earrings and layered strands also remain popular. Nothing adds just the right touch of class to a tailored day dress like a short classic strand of fine Akoya pearls. Bring out your beloved heritage pearls or update your look with a contemporary style like Assael’s Akoya Pearl 5-Row necklace which pairs Akoya pearls of various sizes in an asymmetrical pattern for an understated playful look.  Pearl detailing on buttons, hats, handbags, and fabrics can be paired with lustrous pearl earrings like Assael’s dainty new South Sea Pearl, moonstone & diamond drop earrings or the classic Akoya pearl stud or short single pearl drop. Larger button earrings are also trending, so consider updating the jewelry box with a nice pearl button earring, as well.

Interestingly, hats are also abundant for the season ahead, seen at Prada, Anna Sui, Tommy Hilfiger, Altazurra, and more. Chanel opted to adorn big floppy hats with significant brooches. No longer reserved solely for the lapel, brooches are indeed having a comeback, seen on both red carpets and runways clasping cardigans, embellishing hats, drawing attention to the hairline, or hovering just above the heart on lapel-less blouses and high neck dresses. Assael’s new diamond and natural drop pearl brooch has a sleek arced shape that can accommodate various ways of wearing.

Fifty Shades of Green

The top color of the Fall 2024 season appears to be green, a refreshing color of tranquility. “A Hill of Green” (W magazine) was featured in monochrome styling in bright green, army green, or dark greens like deep olive or forest green, seen at Fendi, Ferragamo, and Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini. The various verdant hues were also included in green outerwear at Elie Saab, Chloé, and Gucci. Accents of green were also prominent in collections at Bottega Veneta, Burberry, and Victoria Beckham. A slightly lighter hue of sage green was seen in frocks at Balmain, Simone Rocha, and Jil Sander. 

While we often suggest contrast for accessories, we are loving this green moment in fashion, (full disclosure – green just happens to be this writer’s favorite color, perhaps a bit of personal bias). For the many green outfits you are sure to be wearing this season, consider an exotic green Tahitian pearl or the beloved peacock (multi-colored) Tahitian pearl. Assael pairs rare green Tahitian gem quality pearls with Oregon Sunstone to magnificent effect in the In Reverse earrings. These would go well with any greens in your wardrobe, be it monochrome, outerwear, or just a pop of green in a fabulous accessory like a scarf, handbag, or shoes. A magnificent Tahitian pearl necklace with green Tourmaline will also prove exceptionally relevant this season, but it will also become a go-to for adding color to neutrals or sprucing up basics like black turtlenecks, sweaters, and darker suits. With all of the high necks and big shawls in outerwear trends for Fall 2024 covering up the neck and the ear, consider making a statement with an exceptional green pearl ring. Assael has a few stunners for green lovers (like me), including the Tahitian Pearl and Blue-Green Tourmaline ring.

The It Jacket

The biker or bomber jacket is also making a big comeback for Fall/Winter 2024, partly because of the warmer autumn temps that global warming is inspiring, but also because such jackets are perfect for showing off the full skirts, minis, and wide-legged barrel trousers that will be prevalent in the months ahead. Sharp, sleek jackets were seen at Hermès, Balmain, Prada, Chloé, Brunello Cuccinelli, and more. Moto jackets (high-waisted styles) were featured at Miu Miu, Prada, JW Anderson, Balenciaga, and Coperni. Mostly black, the look is powerful and edgy, but a few designers opted for colorful jackets like burgundy (another hot color for F/W ’24) at Hermès and green at Gucci. The jackets were mostly worn snapped, zipped, or closed to the top and paired with contrasting feminine touches like skirts and bows.

For these looks, add cocktail rings on multiple fingers for personalized styling. Or consider statement earrings like diamond and pearl drops.  A big bold statement necklace would also create a dramatic “reveal” when the jacket is opened indoors. Assael’s new Fiji Shell Blister necklace adds an edgy chic vibe to complement the attitude of these jackets. Feel free to play with mixing or contrasting metals – a gold cocktail ring with gold snaps or buttons, diamond and white gold earrings or rings with silver zippers and snaps – or mix it up for contrast. We also suggest adding ladylike jewels to balance the toughness of this style of jacket – the Rivière earrings by Sean Gilson for Assael immediately come to mind.

However you dress for Fall, couture designers are inviting you to dress up again. Bored by work-from-home attire, fashion seems to be counting on us to put our best foot forward this season. Permission granted to wear dresses during the day. Make time for those few extra moments to select the perfect earrings, pearls, and clutch handbag (especially a burgundy one). Whether you layer like a schoolgirl or embrace your inner power with a sleek biker jacket, be sure to add something green, and don’t forget the pearls!

Feature image at top: Clockwise from upper right –Hermès F/W 2024, Assael Undulating Pearl and Diamond earrings, Chanel F/W 2024, Burberry F/W 2024, Assael Fiji Pearl necklace, Assael Tahitian Diamond Connected earrings, Miu Miu F/W 2024,all fashion images – Spotlight Launchmetrics

If you like this, you might also like:

Summer Whites & How to Accessorize Them

Peach Fuzz – The Pantone Color of the Year

Barbie The World Tour – Andrew Mukamal & Margot Robbie Create Unforgettable Pearl Looks