Affordable fall fashion for 2025

Ok, I know I’ve preached incessantly about under-consumption and my low buy year. However, fall fashion is my jam and my weakness. It likely began in childhood with the anticipation of a new school year and back to school shopping. This excitement for fall newness morphed into full-fledged obsession in my early twenties when I would anticipate the September issue of Vogue magazine.

But in today’s economy and for those of us with an eye towards retirement and therefore retirement saving, fall clothing hauls are no longer in the budget. Still there’s a part of me that can’t ignore the fall season trends, especially as I prepare to switch over my closet and bring out the sweaters, wool trouser and boots.

Unfortunately, some of those pieces no longer work for me given my fluctuating weight and changing waistline (thanks menopause). And I can no longer justify making deep “investments” to replace them. Sadly, I’ve had to part with two pair of prized Agolde jeans, a genuine leather skirt and other designer pieces that no longer fit. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, this is a low-buy year for me, so don’t feel compelled to replace all those pieces. But I do plan on replacing some of those key staples that were essential to my fall wardrobe.

And with all that said, there are quite a few affordable pieces that have caught my eye and won’t break the bank. The trick is to be discerning about fabric content, fit and construction. I have an oversized button-down cotton blend shirt from Zara that I purchased about 10 years ago. That shirt has become one of my most worn pieces in my wardrobe. I wear it over tanks with linen trousers, with leggings and trainers, over slip dresses and with blazers and dress pants. The blend of natural and synthetic fabric means that I never have to iron and it has held up wash after wash. The point is, it is possible to score some well-constructed pieces from affordable brands, but it does take some scouting.

Here are a few items that I have my eye that won’t break the bank.

H&M

Drapey Blouse $30 UShttps://www2.hm.com/en_us/productpage.1297202002.html

Flared Corduroy $43US https://www2.hm.com/en_us/productpage.1301980002.html

I actually purchased these boot-cut corduroy pants in the dark brown. The long, slim, slightly flared leg is oh so flattering, I could not pass them up after trying them on. Paired with sweaters and pointed kitten heel brown suede boots that I already own, I know that will get a lot of use of these this fall/winter.

And some other affordable knits I’m eyeing: