Early Fall Fashion Favorites for Women

My son was asking me this morning on our drive to school drop-off if it was still summer or had fall begun. While there’s a technical answer to this, I like to refer to early September as “early Fall”. You can’t put away your short sleeve shirts (or even shorts!), but it’s also too warm to wear all the cute sweaters you’ve purchased.

Right now I’m being bombarded with sweaters and Christmas items (seriously, let’s slow down here and get through Halloween first), but what I’m actually wearing is a mix of late summer and early fall favorites — think lots of layers, sleeveless tops with jeans, and shoes like flats that allow for breathing room.

Here are some of my women’s early fall fashion favorites that are suitable for a range of budgets.

Early Fall Fashion from Loft

This Loft early fall collection leans into a casual, playful, and slightly retro aesthetic. Some trends in their women’s arrivals I saw when browsing both online and the store in-person are denim (not just jeans — dresses and skirts), textured knits, feminine details like puff sleeves and bows, and then lots of pops of burgundy (which seems to be falls “it” color every year).

Early Fall Fashion from Quince

If you’re a fan of minimalist, polished, and versatile pieces and you haven’t tried Quince yet, what are you waiting for? Their early fall arrivals focus on timeless silhouettes and rich, earthy tones (camel, beige, rust, and brown). The pieces below are great for layering and can be worn with a ton of different items, making them perfect for your work wardrobe (I wear my Quince sweater blazer all year long and just change it up depending on the season).

100% European Linen Button Front Dress in Chocolate | Mongolian Cashmere Midi Skirt in Oatmeal | French Terry Wide Leg Pants in Faded Cargo | Milan Polarized Acetate Sunglasses | Italian Leather Handwoven Ballet Flat in Stone | Globe Boho Hoops in Sterling Silver | Italian Suede Slouchy Shoulder Bag in Whiskey | Italian Leather Bow Penny Loafer in Wine | Washable Stretch Silk Tie Neck Blouse in Wine Tasting Red | Organic Comfort Stretch Chore Jacket in Black

Early Fall Fashion from Old Navy

Me + Old Navy Super Cash = a great relationship. I end up buying a ton of new items for my kids and then I get Super Cash to spend on myself a month or so later! Needless to say I’ll be ordering some early fall goodies for myself shortly. Trends I’m loving in their early fall collection include ruffles, faux leather pieces, and wide leg denim and trousers. I already have the plaid tiered dress and plan on wearing it soon when I have an in-office presentation later this month.

Early Fall Fashion from J Crew

No one does classic style better than J.Crew. Their early fall lineup leans sophisticated and polished with some trendy pieces thrown in. I love the rich fall color palette (for example, I love all the navy as it pairs well with cream and white for late summer/early fall), statement collars, and heritage-inspired elements like plaid patterns and riding boots.

Early Fall Fashion from Tuckernuck

If you’re a fan of classic-preppy style with a contemporary and slightly elevated twist, then Tuckernuck is for you. Key trends from their early fall arrivals include rich textures like tweed, leather, and corduroy, classic silhouettes with feminine details (flounce hems, for example), and lightweight pieces for layering.

Early Fall Fashion from ASTR (at Nordstrom)

ASTR the Label is one of my go-to brands that Nordstrom carries (Nordstrom’s return policy is better and easier, so I tend to try to order from there vs. the brand’s website). I love the femininity of their pieces — which is why it ends up being a brand I veer towards for dresses and work tops. For early fall, they have lots of romantic pieces (puff sleeves and lace), harvest hues (rich browns and burgundies), and mixed silhouettes (fitted vs. flowy — sometimes together in one outfit).