Trend Forecast: Color Stories - Reds, Chocolate and Greens

Retail Diary's Fall 2024 Trend Insights continue. This week we focus on the colors that will have an impact on retail in Q3.

Fall 2024 Fashion Forecast: Trends to Watch

Retail Diary's Fall 2024 Fashion Forecast continues with the colors that will dominate stores, social media, and street style. We'll explore merchandise available to shop, how it became a trend, retail significance and strategic approaches.

For Trend 1 take a look back at the Suede Fall Forecast.

Trend Forecast: Suede

Trend 2: Color Stories

The Goods:

Reds

Back in June I started tracking the color red popping up in pants, in fact I created a whole edit here. Since then I’ve continued to see over and over and feel like we will hit a fever pitch this Fall. Additionally, once the weather truly turns I think we will see more wine shades like merlot, burgundy etc.

Caught Red Hand(bag)ed

• Alaia has made me very excited about a little red bag (both mesh here and leather here.) It doesn’t have to be Alaia, but a red mesh looks great and this in red patent is making the rounds this week in my social media feed.

• This Khaite patent in oxbold has the most beautiful soft shape.

• The ‘90s bag from The Row also comes in this great red now. Again, a fun pop of red to make a statement.

• THIS Coach bag is having the best start of Fall season. It feels so Fall and Back to School Collegiate style. Coach y’all!! It’s so back.

• In suedes, a wine color bag is fantastic for that deep fall moment. Little Liffner made some excellent ones.

• Burgundy mini Le Pliage from Longchamp is the perfect bag in a bag for an accent.

Red-y To Wear

• Pants - I’m still feeling strongly about a pair of red pants for Fall. It is a fun pop (and this is coming from someone who wears black 98% of the time.) Take it a step further and go for the red suit like this from Favorite Daughter.

• A red sweater is another piece that you will get a lot of wear out of this season.

  • Cherry Red from La Ligne (use code SarahS10 for 10% off your first order.)

  • This burgundy stripe looks so so good!

  • A pointelle cardigan (looking for more pointelle? Right this way.) I love this cotton cardigan too.

  • Short Sleeve Sweater (I own this in black. I like to size up for a looser fit.)

Lady in Red Dress

• This zip front dress will work for work, daytime and dinners out. It feels very ‘90s magazine cover to say “your ultimate day-to-night dress” but that’s what this is.

• The styling from Hill House Home this Fall gives the burgundy dresses a bit of a western feel when styled with cowboy boots.

• So many of these dresses are great for work, like this Veronica Beard polka dot shirt dress.

• I love that these Rixo dresses (this and this) have a bold red pattern vs always looking to integrate the color as a solid.

• This Khaite minimalist column dress is so simple and elegant.

Shoes

• In early August I wrote specifically about red mary janes as the popular shoe option that week. The red shoe edit is here.

• I’ve added my favorite Oxblood Loafers to this list. I love this look with thin socks** too.

• jessie randall
  shared that these are her favorite pair of shoes. I love that these can be paired with everything from denim to dresses. (Use code Sarah10 for 10% off your order on the LR website.)

• Margaux has a Burgundy edit - you know that means they believe in the color for the season.

Tiniest Pops of Red

• This is my favorite accessory at the moment. I have the 2 inch in rosso, plus a ton of other sizes and colors.

• My favorite red lipstick at the moment is this Merit matte in Vermillion or having a blushing moment in Ami Colé Flame.

Chocolate

If you’ve seen my Field Jacket Fashion Spiral and the Suede Trend Forecast then you know that so many of these items fit well in with Chocolate. I’ll get in to a few other reasons below as to why I think Chocolate will be a key color this Fall Season.

Belts

• Such an easy way to mix in brown and the brown belts look amazing right now - we are in a major belt renaissance!

• Madewell: I love this and this.

• Déhanche has excellent belts with special details but are priced appropriately. They feel so strongly about chocolate they have a spot in the navigation for The Chocolate Collection.

• Khaite: luxe and special. Check out this and this.

Bottoms

• Chocolate Corduroy from La Ligne has a nice wide wale.

• The slacks from Aritzia.

• Rich faux leather skirt with statement pleating.

• My favorite pants from Donni come in espresso.

• Or this relaxed leather trouser from Frame. (Use code SARAH15 for 15% off non-sale + non-exclusions.)

Shackets & Outerwear

• This shacket from La Ligne matches the corduroy pants. Wear as a set or as separates.

• The Great’s Suede Fringe Jacket is stuck on my mind.

• Toteme’s suede shacket is epic.

Handbags

• All of Madewell’s suede bags are great but this is my favorite and this little ladylike chocolate suede.

• Chocolate in nylon from Clare V.

• Love the detail on this strap - a great find from The RealReal.

Shoes

• Double strap ballet flat.

• These tall boots from Loeffler Randall with the ideal chunky heel.

• Start the season with a pair of stain resistant suede espresso loafers.

Greens

So many shades of Green are making the mark this season. From softer greens, the remains of summer’s slime green and Brat summer and getting deep into the olives and forrest greens. Green in Fall feels like a neutral.

Pops in Accessories:

• Handbag: love this new small suede olive handbag from Parker Thatch that is available for preorder.

• Hat: sporty for a hike

• Belt: I’ve already started to add this soft green belt* to wear with denim.

• Shoes: Le Monde Beryl has all the shades of green: bright, deep, studded and rich.

Pants

• Denim! Loving the fuller leg

• The Shon Pants in this softer olive green acts as a neutral.

• For something different, try in a pair of workout leggings.

• Are you going to try to layer a silk-y slip skirt over pants a la The Row? You can try it in a soft sage green.

Accent colors that go with all of these and are the secondary color trends:

• Navy - especially in suedes. I see this sticking around into Winter but Navy is a classic.

• Butter Yellow - again, suede or soft under pinnings and tiny details. The classic barn jacket too. This is for early Fall.

And for endless color inspiration, I love this book.

Favorite items in Favorite shades for Fall 2024

Let’s dig into the why and strategies retailers and brands can use