Style guide: Fall fashion essentials everyone should have in their closet, according to a stylist

A personal stylist helps their clients put together outfits that make them look and feel their best. 

They advise what colors and styles work best based on body types and individual needs, and have an eye for spotting trends in clothing and accessories.  In other words, we could all use one! 

Don’t fret, Dailymail.com chatted with luxury retailer Luisa Via Roma’s Editor in Chief, Kate Davidson Hudson – a poster girl for chic style – on what’s hot this season. Get your pen and paper ready.

With almost two decades of experience in styling and editorial, Kate has fine-tuned her enviable look throughout the years. 

‘I grew up in 90s so I am very much drawn to the clean minimalism of the Calvin Klein heydays (think: Kate Moss by Mario Sorrenti),’ she said.

‘And, quite literally everything about George Michael’s Freedom video speaks to my personal style aesthetic: clean, rooted in classic cuts but modernized through a statement accessory, or two.’ 

The grunge fashion moment and it’s subtle irreverence also shaped her appearance.

‘The idea of artful layering and boy-meets-girl dressing was very much evolved throughout that time. Perhaps un-ironically, both styles are aesthetics that heavily inform how I dress today.’

‘I grew up in 90s so I am very much drawn to the clean minimalism of the Calvin Klein heydays (think: Kate Moss by Mario Sorrenti),’ she said. ‘And, quite literally everything about George Michael’s Freedom video speaks to my personal style aesthetic: clean, rooted in classic cuts but modernized through a statement accessory, or two’

Below are Kate’s wardrobe suggestions for fall 22: 

Hottest handbag 

‘The Bottega Jodie Intrecciato or the new Turn-Leather Top Handle bag by Bottega are must-haves if you can splurge,’ she said.

The Turn-Leather Top Handle retails for $2,350, while the Mini Jodie will set you back $2,500.

‘Both silhouettes take heritage concepts from the storied House (the hyper-luxe Intrecciato weave) and reimagine them in bolder more modern shapes, that temper an of-the-moment design with the value proposition of timeless construction.’

‘The Bottega Jodie Intrecciato or new Turn-Leather Top Handle bag by Bottega are must-haves if you can splurge,’ she said. The Turn-Leather Top Handle retails for $2,350, while the Mini Jodie will set you back $2,500

According to the expert, the trendiest leather garment is the bomber jacket. ‘We’re seeing the classic, slightly oversized bomber jacket, reworked to complement every element of your wardrobe,’ she shared. Pictured jacket by Anine Bing, $550

Must-have leather garment 

According to the expert and head of LVR Magazine, the trendiest leather garment is the bomber jacket. 

‘We’re seeing the classic, slightly oversized bomber jacket reworked to complement every element of your wardrobe,’ she shared.

‘The newest iterations rendered in leather – some with a shearing aviator collar detailing- work with everything from a jeans and t-shirt, to a chic go-everywhere topper over a shirt or dress for a night out on the town.’

Bella Hadid stepped out in New York City on October 18 wearing a turtleneck sweater and brown leather bomber boasting a fur-lined collar. The supermodel added light-wash boyfriend jeans and two belts.

‘It’s a great investment piece that will yield a high return on your investment throughout the season.’

Standout Jeans 

Bye, bye high-waisted jeans.

‘Oversized, deconstructed menswear style jeans that sit a bit lower on the hips, in a lighter wash, are the trendiest at the moment,’ declares Kate.

‘Think: skater boy meets girl. Balenciaga, Celine, and Valentino did strong versions of this style for F/W ’22, as well as many mid-market brands.’

Bella Hadid stepped out in New York City on October 18 wearing a turtleneck sweater and brown leather bomber boasting a fur-lined collar. The supermodel added light-wash boyfriend jeans and two belts

Kate names the double platform statement heel (pictured left: Versace) and the white sneaker (pictured right: Maison Margiela) as must-have shoe silhouettes for fall

The ultimate blazer

‘I think the black blazer is a perennial staple and this season it’s found renewed relevance vis-à-vis oversized boyfriend cuts and more deconstructed shapes.

‘Whether it’s belted as an outer layer over jeans and a t-shirt in transitional months, or, styled over a dress for an evening night out, a well-made blazer is one essential to incorporate into an artfully-curated fall wardrobe rotation.’

Trendiest shoe silhouettes 

The Double Platform Statement Heel– ‘Saint Laurent, Valentino, Bottega, Altuzarra and Versace all showed strong options that add a decidedly modern dose of glamour to every fall season look. This silo works best when iterated in a bootie or Mary-Jane pump.

The Over-the-Knee Boot– ‘Forget stockings, or pants for that matter. Over-the-knee boots work effortlessly under shorter hemlines for a seamless look with dresses and skirts; or, they create an elongating effect when styled over skinny jeans and any of this season’s knits and oversized jackets. 

Cute Trainers– ‘The designer sneaker isn’t going anywhere. I love the look of a sleek all white trainer with jeans and a t-shirt, or a colorful Nike Air Jordan styled unexpectedly with monotone suiting. Even ultra-sophisticated, The Row, launched an edited range of new sneakers for Spring’23, so you know this trend is not going any where any time soon.’

‘Forget stockings, or pants for that matter! Over-the-knee boots work effortlessly under shorter hemlines for a seamless look paired with dresses and skirts; or, they create an elongating effect when styled over skinny jeans and any of this season’s knits and oversized jackets’

The season’s LBD update 

There’s no article of clothing more versatile than the little black dress and for that reason it has been a wardrobe staple for women across America for some time. 

While the chic staple hasn’t change that much over the years, ‘the LBD is getting a double makeover for fall,’ said Kate.

‘It goes one of two directions this season: silky, lingerie-inspired (see: Saint Laurent) or updated with sultry, peek-a-boo cutouts.’

Kate suggests checking out Australian designer Christopher Esber or London-based designer and LVMH prize winner, Nensi Dojaka, for incredibly chic cutout designs.

Athleisure for fashion’s sake

According to the EIC, a luxe hoodie is the athleisure item to carry into your streetwear looks. 

‘The hoodie is the hero layering piece for designers this fall. 

‘Styled under a blazer or ironically with a fancy skirt and heels, there are few looks this season that won’t benefit from an immediate cool girl upgrade with the addition of a hoodie. (See: Tom Ford runway hoodies styled under sateen suits or over luxe leather skirts).’

 According to Kate, the LBD this season is updated in silky fabrics or with cut-outs. Pictured left: Saint Laurent. She recommends adding a luxe hoodie to your wardrobe. Pictured right:  Ferrari

Brands to have on your radar

While Luisa Via Roma is always seeking new emerging designers to carry on their site, they also reward established brands doing good.

‘One of our focuses is to continue to develop as a platform that not only champions new brands, but supports initiatives that give back and promote ideals of sustainability in fashion and conscious consumption. 

‘In addition to some of the new talents that we’re proud to give visibility to from Nensi Dojaka to Khaite, and exclusives with Jacquemus and Michael Kors Collection, among others; we are also launching an exciting project in partnership with second-hand fashion site Vestaire Collective. 

‘Because, as I always say, good design never goes out of style. And if you can help to amplify the message at scale, that upcycling can become a chic and viable consumption model, we’re hugely excited to be a part of that conversation. (Plus, they have some to-die-for vintage that I’ve been coveting for seasons!)’