Fashion Trends Out of Style for Fall 2022

As much as I know my readers enjoy hearing about what’s in style for the upcoming season, I actually receive more questions about what is out of style. Already I’ve been asked if cardigans, skinny jeans, scarves, pendant necklaces, leggings and more are out of style for fall 2022. So today I’m braving the backfire and sharing what fashion trends are out of style in 2022 and what you might want to wear instead.

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Before we start running through the list of garments and accessories that are “out of style” for fall 2022, let me remind you that this is really just for fun. There are no fashion police who are going to arrest you for wearing any of these styles if you want to do so. And shame on anyone who would berate you for choosing to wear any of these so-called dated looks either. In fact, I believe that how you wear something is truly what makes it stylish. So if you wear something that suits your personality, personal taste and body, it really doesn’t matter if “they” are calling it out of vogue or not.

Also keep in mind that most trends have an approximate four-year cycle. One year we see something on the runways, the second year early adapters embrace it, the third year it goes mainstream and by the fourth year it’s beginning to fade in popularity but still hanging on. On top of that, many things that fade in popularity one year will make a return, even if it’s in a slightly different form, just a few years later.

SO you don’t need to get rid of these “out of style” fashions, but you might want to tuck them away or at least reevaluate how you wear them.

Finally, let me just say at this point that I do not agree with those who say that retailers dictate what is in style. As I’ve studied fashion the last four years I’ve come to see that the trends generally reflect other things that are going on in our world, in our culture. That became very evident as trends shifted dramatically during the pandemic. We all embraced lounge and athleisurewear with a passion, while the fashion industry had to do an about face. We scarfed up earthy tones and pushed aside the bright colors they had projected during more cheerful days. And then, as we began to emerge from our homes once more, we demanded more color and more polish. We see those shifts reflected in this year’s trends. So don’t fall into the trap of thinking that the fashion industry is out to get us. Instead, take the cues they send about these trends with a grain of salt and then wear what makes you happy.

Okay, I’m stepping down off my soapbox and starting the list. Here’s what’s out of style for fall 2022…and what you might want to wear instead. By the way, I’m sharing lots of photos from here on the blog as far back as 2018 because I want you to see that these changes in trends affect me, too. I loved wearing some of these “out of style” garments and accessories. But now they do indeed feel and look dated to me. And I prefer to look classic, but also current. So I’m willing to make a few changes each year.

Skinny Jeans?

In the four-year cycle of trends we’re actually on the third year of skinny jeans being “out of style.” That means if you just love this skin-hugging silhouette, there’s good news. They’ll probably be back in style in another year or two! But for now, you’ll look more current if you wear straight, bootcut, flare or wide leg jeans.

Sure, you may still want a pair of skinny jeans or two in your closet, especially if you enjoy wearing knee high boots with denim. Skinny jeans are the only jeans I would tuck into tall boots, in fact. But otherwise you’ll look much more modern in one of the looser fit silhouettes.

Don’t think you’ll like the wider silhouettes? I encourage you to try them. At some point you tried skinny jeans for the first time. Why not try a new silhouette? If you’re just a huge skinny jean fan, I suggest you simply start with a pair of slender fit straight leg jeans like these from Talbots. They come in a full range of sizes, include plus sizes.

But I rounded up a shopping widget full of more modern jeans for you to browse through, too.

Colored Jeans?

Colored jeans were so very on trend just a few years ago. And I absolutely loved wearing those vibrant colors in denim. I had jeans in red, burgundy, green, pink, light blue, you name it!

You can still wear your colored jeans if you’d like. In fact you may even see some in stores. I know I’ve seen them at Talbots and J.Jill this past year. But they’re not really “on trend.” My bet is that if we give it a year or two, we’ll be seeing more color in jeans again.

Until then I’d stick with blue, black, grey or off white or natural denim for fall and winter 2022.

Riding Boots?

Equestrian inspired boots are never real out of style; they’re a classic. However, they are not as “of the moment” as other boot styles. In fact, this year we’re seeing the return of the over-the-knee boot. I personally am not a fan. They just look uncomfortable to me, and over-the-knee boots don’t fit my lifestyle at all.

So if you want to wear your riding boots, definitely wear them. You will still look current and stylish. I’d just take note of how you wear them, adding other more modern pieces to your outfit. For instance, you could wear riding boots with a midi-length dress or a skirt. And you can still wear them with your skinny jeans, too. Just add a looser, more relaxed fit sweater or an oversized blazer to complete the outfit.

Camo?

While camo has taken on a sort of classic vibe at this point, it is looking a little tired this year. We wore it so much over the past five years or so, most brands are giving it a break. But you will still see it in the stores.

Keep in mind that just because you see something in stores doesn’t mean it is considered “in style.” It just means the retailers know people are still buying it.

You can still wear your camo if you’d like, of course. It just won’t be the most current thing about your look. If you do choose to wear this familiar print, add a trending oversized button-up white shirt or oversized sweatshirt to bring your outfit up to speed.

But if you are tired of camo (as I really am) wear the more current prints such as plaid, bold paisley or bright, fun florals instead.

Leopard Print?

Again, leopard print is really a timeless classic. So you’re never really out of style wearing this beautiful print. However, I think our eyes have grown a little tired of leopard.

And most of us have purchased all any reasonable person needs to own. Ha! So, while you will continue to see some of it in stores, many brands are not showing as much leopard as in recent years.

If you own a beautiful coat or skirt or blouse in leopard print and want to wear it, absolutely do. I am certainly not getting rid of most of my leopard print. I donated a beautiful leopard print dress a few years ago (the one below, in fact) that I truly wish I had back.

Hmm. Looking at it now, it does look a little dated. But I sure did love that dress! I loved the skirt below, too. Of course, I’ve had loads of leopard and cheetah print in my closet over the past five or six years.

This year if you still want to wear your leopard print, do it. If you want to purchase more animal print, I’d suggest you spend your money instead on zebra print, which seems to be more of the moment. However, keep in mind that it may not have the staying power that leopard does. I did recently purchase this zebra print top and I love it. Another print that seems to be gaining popularity right now, surprisingly, is cow print, but of course that’s mostly in accessories.

I’d also add that if you want to add some leopard print to your wardrobe this year, I’d do it with accessories, such as a belt, handbag, maybe shoes or scarf.

Scarves?

Wearing scarves is absolutely on trend. In fact, at this point I think it’s safe to say that, bar a major shift in fashion, scarves are here to stay as a classic wardrobe item.

That said, certain types of scarves are very on trend while others are quite dated looking. Most out of style? Infinity scarves. I’d personally advise against wearing the print, gauzy or cotton blend infinity scarves at all. You might tuck them away for another year, if you’d like. But I’ve donated all of mine.

I also don’t anticipate seeing a lot of the oversized blanket scarves that you would sometimes see draped and belted. But I could be wrong on that. We’ll see.

What is in style and is always a good investment is the classic silk scarf, either long and rectangular or square.

I purchased this beautiful Sarah Flint silk scarf last year and I know I’ll have it in my wardrobe indefinitely. You can use code SARAHFLINT-BAKAYH for $50 off your first purchase at Sarah Flint. But even silk-y scarves are a better investment probably than a cotton or gauze scarf. And definitely reach for the rectangular or square scarves right now.

By the way, the only caveat I would add to this advice is that the smaller wool or cashmere infinity scarves that are sometimes called snoods are exempt from this “out of style” notice. These are worn mainly for warmth on a cold winter day, and as outerwear. So don’t get rid of these.

Bell Sleeves?

I’ve heard mixed press on bell sleeves. A few years ago we were seeing lots of bell sleeve dresses and blouses. (The photos below were some of my very first on the blog. Ahh, younger days!)

A bell sleeve certainly adds interest and shape to a dress or blouse. But I did find them to be a bit impractical, especially when dining.

I think you can still wear your bell sleeve dresses and blouses with confidence. And we’re still seeing some in the stores for sure. But the more modern sleeve silhouette is the puffy shoulders, ruffles and even puffy sleeves. We’re also still seeing lots of detailing, lace work, etc., on sleeves, as feminine touches in general continue to trend. The bell sleeves I am seeing feature smaller bell shaped ruffles, like this one.

Neutrals?

Arrgh! Say it isn’t so. But alas, it is. Neutrals are supposedly not as in style as they were for the past few years. Instead, this year it is more in vogue to wear vibrant, saturated colors as well as frothy pastels. Yes, even into fall and winter. I’m a little bummed.

Of course neutrals are always a good investment and never really go out of style. So you don’t have to not buy neutrals. Nor do you have to stop wearing your neutral garments or accessories to be in style.

But you’ll look more current if you add at least a splash of vibrant or deeply pigmented color to your otherwise neutral outfits. The trend toward wearing more color reflects the culture’s resurgence from the recent pandemic and our craving for more joy and excitement. Color certainly can lift spirits, so I’m all for adding a little to my outfits.

The good news is that some beautiful colors are trending this fall and winter. Yes, neutrals such as brown and camel play a huge role in this year’s color palette. But complement them with vibrant red, pink violet, sunlight yellow, bold orange, or midnight blue.

I’ll admit, I was primed to go all neutrals this fall. Ha! But I’m shifting gears and adding a few well placed colors to my wardrobe, probably in cashmere sweaters, tops, scarves and blouses. I’ve gathered some pretty colored blouses and tops in the shopping widget below, but I’m sure we’ll see more soon.

Statement Necklaces?

Statement necklaces as a category are never really out of style I think. But individual statement necklaces do begin to look a little dated quickly. Higher quality statement necklaces generally are decent investments because they hold their style factor a little longer and even begin to look vintage after that.

I had a hard time finding a lot of pictures of me wearing statement necklaces because I tend not to choose them. I’d almost rather wear larger earrings and no necklace at all than invest in a statement necklace that will look dated the next year. For instance, the pearl necklace above looks at first glance like it would be timeless, being pearls and all. But it actually features some fuzzy little metallic beads that were trending at the time, too. So I undoubtedly wouldn’t reach for it today.

That said, I know a lot of my readers love their statement necklaces. And this is one of those things that I think is more a matter of how you wear it rather than that you wear it at all. If the rest of your outfit looks current and good on you, I don’t think your statement necklace is going to wreck it. Unless…you know…it’s just awful. Ha!

I hardly ever share statement jewelry here at Dressed for My Day simply because I don’t wear it a lot and I don’t think it’s the wisest investment for most women. But if statement necklaces are your jam, wear them.

On the other hand, I think it’s wisest for most of us to invest in more classic, timeless pieces. Right now smaller, more classic chains that can be layered are still trending. And I think these will hold their value longer.

But one of the big surprises in jewelry this year is that tortoiseshell is reemerging on the scene. I have tons of photos of me wearing my faux tortoiseshell chains in the past. I won’t show you all of them. Ha!

I don’t think I have that exact chain any longer…but I might. I know I have similar ones. And they’d be perfectly suitable to pull out and wear now.

Long Pendant Necklaces?

Speaking of those long tortoiseshell chains, I’ve also been asked about long pendant necklaces. Are these still in style?

Well, the particular style shown above with the fringe probably isn’t. We saw a lot of those, and I had several for sure. I still have the gold one shown below. But I really don’t reach for it much any more. It does look a little dated to me.

However, I am likely to keep wearing the pendant necklace shown below. I mean you have to have at least one or two long necklaces to wear with turtleneck and crewneck sweaters. So I like this simple Camry pendant from Kendra Scott for that.

But probably stylists would say the simple chains or chunky chains are more in style than pendant necklaces. That said, I think you can definitely continue to wear your more classic and especially finer pendants with confidence. Here are some other options for necklaces this fall and winter.

Before I close I want to address a few other questions I got by simply sharing pieces that NEVER go out of style. These are good investments any time, especially if you add the more classic version to your closet or collection.

Items that never go out of style include white button up shirts (which are really on trend this year!), silk blouses, neutral colored classic trench coats or jackets, most wrap dresses, classic wool A-line or slender fit skirts (about knee length), loafers, straight leg jeans, single strand pearl necklaces, white and black t-shirts, crewneck and v-neck and turtleneck cashmere sweaters (in solids) and solid pointy toe, stiletto style pumps (high or low).

Id’ love to hear your thoughts on any of these “out of style” trends. And remember I’m not telling you not to wear any of these. Just be aware. Have a great day!

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