Even though fall hasn’t started where I live, I always begin daydreaming about layering by the last weeks of August. I usually take my summer holiday in August, and it’s been a long-standing tradition for me to prepare for fall under the sweltering Mediterranean sun while working on my tan. This makes sense since I pride myself on being a pro at both maladaptive daydreaming and multitasking. So, I’m going to post a series that presents the hard-earned—though not groundbreaking—results of my hyper-focus on fall items, trends, and aesthetics.

**A quick disclaimer**: If you’re looking for a summary of the latest fall trends and newest items from brands, this series may not be for you. My posts will include both new items and pieces I found in August sales, but I don’t encourage buying the exact items. Instead, I suggest finding similar cuts and structures from other stores—or better yet, your own wardrobe. Fashion is cyclical, and if you’ve been around long enough, chances are you already own some version of these pieces. I don’t support mindless buying, even if it’s from a thrift store.

Let’s start the series with outerwear.

Oversized Blazers

I’ve resisted the oversized blazer trend for about four years, but this year, I caved. You’ll notice this is a pattern with me—I don’t adopt every trend immediately. I indulge in trends rarely, and usually after the hype has died down. When a trend becomes saturated, I love it on others, but it feels wrong on me, like I’m an imposter. I need to feel comfortable and confident in my clothes, so it takes time for me to figure out how to incorporate new pieces into my wardrobe. Not every trend matches my vibe.

While I don’t typically endorse fast fashion, if I’m unsure whether a trend will integrate seamlessly into my wardrobe, I start there.

This year’s oversized blazer silhouette features a cinched waist and structured, angular shoulders. I have two recommendations from fast fashion brands: Zara and H&M.

The first is a black blazer from Zara, with both sharp, angular shoulders and a cinched waist. The cinched waist gives the garment a more feminine feel, while the angular shoulders balance it out. Since my personal style leans masculine, sporty, and oversized, this juxtaposition makes it easier to incorporate structured feminine pieces into my wardrobe. Overly feminine items don’t fit my everyday look.

The second option, and the one I bought, is a blazer with angular shoulders from H&M. I wasn’t feeling adventurous, so the angular shoulders fit more easily with my masculine wardrobe. Though it’s oversized, I found the fit a bit too boxy, so I sized down. If you want the look as shown on the model—with more pronounced shoulders—stick with your usual size. For a subtler look, sizing down works since the blazer is roomy around the waist and thighs.

When shopping fast fashion, you sometimes sacrifice fabric quality or overall fit. Both blazers have good structure, but they’re made with over 70% polyester—Zara’s is blended with cotton, and H&M’s with wool. Keep that in mind if you’re sensitive to polyester or harsh fabrics. They won’t irritate your skin, but they can get sweaty, even in winter.

Bomber Jackets

My fall and winter style revolves around bomber jackets. I love them in technical fabrics, leather, and wool. Each bomber jacket adds something unique to your look.

They’re nothing new—we’ve been wearing them since childhood. Bomber jackets are easy to style, especially if your vibe leans sporty, and they help make more serious looks feel casual. If I want something easy to throw on over leggings to walk my dog or run errands, I reach for a bomber jacket. If I feel too stiff in structured trousers, a bomber jacket softens the look. Even when I wear a jogger set, I’ll add a tweed bomber jacket to avoid looking too casual.

This year, I added another bomber jacket to my collection for both casual outfits and to make more structured looks feel laid-back. I found a navy technical fabric bomber jacket by Jacquemus during the August sales, from the Fall/Winter ‘23 collection. I bought it from a local shop, but I did found the same one on Luisa Via Roma. This model comes in two color ways-navy and off-white. While I loved the off-white colorway, it didn’t suit my undertone, making me look sallow, so I went with navy.

I already have many bomber jackets, but I didn’t own a cropped, exaggerated cut like this one. It adds volume to leggings and takes the seriousness of of a structured trousers when that’s what I’m going for.

I always have to remind myself to think carefully before buying. We live in a world where access and encouragement to consume are ingrained in our daily habits, and buying another version of something I already own may seem like overconsumption and I hope this is not me being jaded to my own shortcomings but believe me, when I say I have bomber jackets that I’ve worn regularly for over 10 years, and this will be one of them. These are daily essentials for me, and this new addition brings something fresh to my rotation.

Although this is the one I bought, I want to offer some other options currently available. But before buying from fast fashion brands, here are a few things to consider. First, I never recommend PU or “vegan” leather jackets because they tend to wear out or rip just from sitting in your closet. I’ve found rarely worn jackets with the fabric unravelling at the  shoulders after just three months of storage. Second, avoid tight, cropped bomber jackets—they’re tied to a specific time and trend that now feels dated. I recommend sticking as close to the original structure as possible. If you’re buying a variation of something you already own, go for an opposite version—cropped but voluminous, or fitted but longer. This isn’t a hard rule, just my opinion.

With that in mind, I found two Zara bomber jackets-navy and  army green– that resembles the Jacquemus in shape. They’re cropped and cinched at the waist like the Jacquemus piece but both lack the dramatic volume the filling gives to the Jacquemus one.

I also like a more classic option with a playful pattern from Zara, which I plan to check out in stores.

One last note: Although the Jacquemus bomber is also polyester, it’s filled and will keep you warm in the colder months. The Zara version, while also polyester, isn’t filled, so it’s more suitable as a layering piece under a coat come winter.

Barn Jackets/Work Jackets

These barn jackets/work jackets have been gaining popularity since last season, with brands like Toteme and Prada reviving cotton versions for spring. I’m a fan of this style, especially waxed versions like those from Barbour, practical for rainy days.

While I like this style, I generally wear wide, structured bottoms, so I worry the combination may look too boxy and lack a streamlined feel. I prefer contrast in my outfits, so I’d likely pair these jackets with slim, straight-leg jeans and loafers or flat boots in colder months. However, since I rarely wear slim jeans, I might not get much use out of it unless it’s purely functional, like when I’m walking my dog. So, do I need another “dog-walking jacket”, and does it need to be Prada, Toteme, or even Barbour?If not from these brands, do I need to buy a second, third item from fast fashion brands in the same season just to see if it works for me if I am not sure. These are the questions. I’m still on the fence, but my opinion might change in the coming weeks.

If you think this jacket style fits your wardrobe, I’ve linked a few options below.

This wraps up the outerwear part of the series. In the next part, I’ll cover jeans and trousers that pair well with these outerwear pieces.