The Who What Wear Podcast

Episode: Fall 2025 Shopping Guide: Faux Fur, Sculpted Silhouettes, and Polo Shirts
Date: September 3, 2025
Host: Bobby Schuessler (Shopping Director)
Guests: Kristen Nichols (Associate Director of Special Projects), Audrey Huey (Associate Shopping Editor)

Episode Overview

This episode serves as an all-encompassing guide to Fall 2025 fashion and shopping, breaking down the season’s most important trends as seen on the runways, practical tips for transitioning your wardrobe, and expert advice on which hero pieces and accessories to invest in. The hosts dive into key looks like faux and upcycled fur, sculptural silhouettes, countryside-inspired pieces, the revival of preppy polo shirts, and styling both bold and moody colors. Advice is tailored both to fashion-forward listeners and those looking for everyday, wearable style updates.

Key Trends from the Fall/Winter 2025 Runways

Kristen Nichols provides the trend overview.

1. Faux Fur & Upcycled Fur

• Description: Plush faux and upcycled fur outerwear and accessories were ubiquitous across major runways, including Altuzarra (NYFW), Prada (Milan), and Miu Miu.
• Impact: Marks a surprising but significant return for tactile, furry elements in both statement coats and accessories.
• Quote: “We just saw these furry elements in almost every iteration, whether it was the full coat or an accessory.” – Kristen [03:30]

2. Feminine Fashion Codes

• Description: Designers are embracing and re-interpreting femininity, merging modern and nostalgic details like slip dresses, bullet bras, car coats, bows, and plenty of satin.
• Featured Brands: Prada, Schiaparelli, Fendi, Miu Miu, Givenchy.
• Quote: “Prada’s show notes posed the question, what does femininity mean today?” – Kristen [04:00]

3. English Countryside / Preppy Style

• Description: Heritage looks inspired by the British countryside; think riding boots at Max Mara, Fair Isle sweaters at Altuzarra, Daniele Lee’s Burberry, and plaid shirts.
• Quote: “It’s like this countryside escape through fashion.” – Kristen [05:12]

4. Brand DNA / House Codes

• Description: Many designers looking back at their archives due to creative director shifts, resulting in distinctive reinterpretations of their brand’s DNA.
• Quote: “Brands are trying to find their voice and how to interpret their distinct voice today.” – Kristen [05:58]

Most-Wanted Trends & Early Market Sightings

Faux Fur for Real Life

• Both Audrey and Kristen are excited about swapping classic black wool coats for playful faux fur options.
• Quote: “I’m excited to…choose something a little bit more playful and have that in the rotation too.” – Audrey [06:52]
• Preppy’s Comeback: Polo shirts and dresses are firmly in—hosts confess to recent purchases.

Feminine Touches Hitting Stores

• Satin and lace slip skirts started trending last year, evolving for FW25 with slip dresses and even bullet bras hitting both editorial shoots and some celebrity street style (e.g., Dua Lipa for Miu Miu).
• Sandy Liang, Prada, Miu Miu, and Dallara highlighted for their delicate florals, satin, oversized pearls, and darker femme vibes.
• Quote: “Delicate florals, oversized pearl necklaces, as well as satin…I think that’s a great designer to look to.” – Audrey [09:06]

Sculptural Silhouettes & Styling Tips

The Rise of Volume

• Peplum jackets, tops with hourglass shapes, and structured outerwear from brands like Libero, Loewe, and Helsa are must-haves.
• Wearability: Pair dramatic tops/jackets with straight-leg jeans, pencil skirts, or cigarette pants to let the piece stand out.
• Quote: “Really just adding, like, a straight leg jean…allows that peplum or hourglass silhouette to stand out on its own.” – Kristen [10:51]

Moodier Aesthetics & “Weirdcore”

Gothic and Romantic Influences

• Black lace, sheer chiffon, leather, Victorian ruffles trace back to a shift towards both eco-conscious materials (deadstock, upcycling) and pop culture influences (medieval, “bardcore” fashion).
• Quote: “It was also big on TikTok, kind of being referred to as…medieval weirdcore or bardcore.” – Audrey [12:29]

Shopping Tips for Edgy Pieces

• For entry-point items, try a sheer black skirt with tights and a turtleneck or hunt for vintage 90s leather jackets on secondhand platforms.
• Pro Search Terms: “Wilson’s leather,” “90s zip front tie leather jacket,” “Penny Lane coat.” – Audrey [13:13, 14:49]

Where to Shop: Brand Recommendations

Faux Fur/Upcycled Fur

• Vintage & Upcycling: Fendi (heritage), Nerija (upcycled specialists with strong styling), Shrimps (London cruelty-free designer), Blue Marine, Conner I, Prada.
• Online Hunting: eBay, with keywords such as “Penny Lane coat” for 70s-style coats.

Outerwear Favorites

• Kristen: Noor Hamor, Nili Lotan, Cos, By Melina Berger, Kate.
• Audrey: Rue Sophie, Barbour, The Frankie Shop, APC, Wardrobe NYC, Mango, Uniqlo, J.Crew, Banana Republic.

Color Trends & Styling

Vivid and Moody Hues

• Brights: Reds, cobalt, orange, purple. “Grape” shade predicted to be big (thanks TikTok).
• Classics Remain: Burgundy, mahogany, chocolate brown on bags and shoes.
• Ease In: “I prefer to incorporate those kinds of colors through my accessories...red tights were such a big part of my fall wardrobe last fall.” – Audrey [23:24]

Layering Tricks

• Layer colorful sweaters around waist or shoulders for a subtle pop (as seen at The Row, Celine, Ora Lee).
• J.Crew cashmere and Banana Republic knits highlighted for color options.

Accessory Report: Bags, Jewelry, Sunglasses & More

Belts Front and Center

• Unexpected styling: Stacking multiple belts, chain belts (Chanel, Chloé), wide sash belts (Saint Laurent, Givenchy).
• Quote: “It’s just really about adding a belt in really creative ways.” – Kristen [26:33]

Preppy Scarves

• Printed satin scarves as both an accessory and styling piece, forecast to remain important.

Jewelry Trends

• Pearl necklaces, mother of pearl details on jewelry and bags, lockets, oversized beads.
• Micro-bag Trend: Clio Camp silver bag and Echo Slaada Snap spotted in Brooklyn.

Shoe Trends

• Classics: Mary Janes, ballet flats (Repetto Camille), loafers (GH Bass Whitney, Gucci suede), pumps (antique look, bows, peep-toe twists).
• Trendy: Animal prints (cow, snake, zebra, croc-embossed), silver and cherry red, satin finishes.
• Styling: Pair ballet flats and loafers with tights and mini skirts; knee-high boots with knee-length skirts; pumps with a twist are the “one shoe to buy this fall.” – Kristen [31:10]

Outfit Formulas: Practical Styling Advice

Office Looks

• Audrey: Cashmere turtleneck + knee-length skirt + boots (Calvin Klein, Banana Republic recs). [32:41]
• Kristen: A-line/pleated midi skirt + knit polo top + kitten heels (Toteme, Libero cited).

Dinner/Night Out

• Audrey: Faux fur jacket + little black dress + sheer tights + kitten heels or boots.
• Kristen: Satin lace trim skirt + cashmere knit + heels (simple sophistication).

Sweater Layering Update

• Higher and more refined V-necks are replacing lower 2000s styles (Soft Goat, J.Crew, Banana Republic).

Final “It”-List: Hosts’ Seasonal Shopping Wish Lists

Bobby’s Picks

• Vince burgundy funnel neck jacket, viral Coach Brooklyn bag in distressed leather.

Kristen’s Picks

• Khaki jeans (Levi’s), A-line midi skirts (Libero), forest/emerald green accents (baseball caps), Dorsey tennis necklaces with emerald, all things satin (Kalmier mini dress, midi skirt, pants), plaid shirts (plenty of options at Nordstrom, Mango, Lioness).

Audrey’s Picks

• Major confession: “I do not own a pair of jeans…so I will be getting a pair of jeans. I know it’s shocking!” – Audrey [38:16]
• Leaning towards Levi’s 501 90s or 501 Curve.
• Oversized, slouchy Saint Laurent bags (“trying to become a bag lady”), vintage Prada sport Mary Janes, Hunter rain boots.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Prada’s show notes at Prada, she posed the question, what does femininity mean today?” – Kristen [04:00]
• “I think we're seeing early signs of it. For example, the satin bullet bra... already popped up in some editorial shoots. Dua Lipa was wearing the Miu Miu one on the cover of British Vogue.” – Kristen [08:09]
• “We saw a shift towards this idea of, like, medieval dressing...on the runways. I always think of Lily-Rose Depp’s Nosferatu press tour looks.” – Audrey [12:29]
• “One of the things that really stood out to me is the sheer pieces. One of the easiest ways [to try the moody look] is like getting a sheer black skirt...pair with black tights and a turtleneck.” – Audrey [13:03]
• "Banana Republic...the most chic little black dress...was like a knee-length boat neck style." – Audrey [32:41]
• "I do not own a pair of jeans...I know it's shocking." – Audrey [38:16]
• "I just feel like they're so timeless and easy to style.” – Audrey, on GH Bass Whitney loafers [30:44]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:04] – Kristen’s full trend overview
• [06:47] – Audrey’s favorite trends and preppy style resurgence
• [09:36] – Feminine fashion codes in the market & brands to watch
• [10:39] – Making sculptural silhouettes wearable
• [11:21] – The shift toward moody, gothic aesthetics
• [13:03] – Shopping entry-level moody pieces
• [14:03] – Where to shop for faux fur (brands and search terms)
• [15:23] – Outerwear favorites and trends (including barn jackets, trenches, funnel-necks)
• [17:32] – Favorite outerwear brands rapid-fire
• [22:20] – Color trends and how to style (bright vs. moody)
• [26:33] – Accessories: belts, scarves, jewelry, bags, sunglasses
• [29:56] – Shoe trends for fall (classics and trend-driven)
• [32:41] – Office outfit formulas and go-to references
• [34:09] – Dinner & night-out outfit formulas
• [36:12] – Wishlist items for fall

Final Takeaways

• Faux fur, sculptural silhouettes, polo shirts, and countryside-inspired classics are the biggest sartorial investments for Fall 2025.
• Moody, gothic romanticism and pops of unexpected color keep things fresh and individualized.
• The right outerwear and accessories—especially versatile belts and shoes—will define and elevate any simple wardrobe update.
• Lean on tried-and-true retailers (Banana Republic, Mango, J.Crew, Uniqlo, eBay for vintage) and invest in one or two statement pieces while updating the classics.
• Personal style should be about having fun—swap your staple black coat for faux fur, or finally buy that pair of jeans (even if it’s your first as an adult)!

This episode provides listeners with a shopping roadmap for Fall 2025, balancing both runway trends and accessible, practical advice from leading Who What Wear editors. Perfect inspiration for building a chic, versatile, and trend-right autumn closet.