fall for these looks

5 fave fall fashion trends and where to find them in Houston

Fashionistas who've been watching fall runway shows know that dramatic looks and eye-catching trends – think head-to-toe-leather, oversized denim, and moody hues — make for an exciting season.

With that in mind, we sat down with some Houston experts that know a thing or two about putting together a well-rounded fashion wish list. Here's their take on what to grab for the coolest fall look right now.

Sell the drama and love the '80s

This season, designer inspiration runs the gamut, from oversized suits, leather jackets of the cropped, bomber and trench variety and bold colors — and for those Barbiecore followers, yes, pink will still be in favor.

Color is a significant factor for Fady Armanious, creative director of Tootsies, who tells his ever-stylish clients to embrace oversized proportions and the epic, showy looks of the ’80s, saying, “The ’80s is back in a big, bold way. Black and old-school Valentino red are a dramatic color duo right now.”

Rock the color block — and let it flow

Armanious says color blocking — mixing two or three solid colors — is another fall trend that makes a bold statement. He advises mixing warm shades with cool tones for a “refreshing twist.”

In contrast, the soft colors and ruffles of modern femininity also dominate the racks. Zimmermann is a classic example of a soft, sensual brand with sheer fabrics. “Continue the look of a black bra and see-through slip dress for a touch of the unexpected,” says Armanious.

Go green for that timeless shine

Quality jewelry has staying power; it can be kept as an heirloom or worn as fashion cycles come and go. Long necklaces, stacked bracelets, and colorful gemstones are everywhere. This year, green is the color au courant. The hue is in fall staples from clothing to bags and now jewels.

“Green has been a hot color this year from watches to gemstones,” Segev Zadok, partner at Zadok Jewelers, tells CultureMap. “Emeralds are classic and timeless. They can be set in a classic way or with a modern twist, such as a bezel pendant on a paperclip chain or a tennis necklace with emeralds all the way around.”

Tennis necklaces are still great for layering with nearly every outfit, and according to Zadok, “big, yellow gold hoops and wide gold huggies are also very popular. They are a great way to elevate an everyday look.”

A top fashion have: the perfect hat

Autumn’s crisp weather is ideal for layering outfit pieces and bold accessories. The perfect bag (pillow bags are everything this season) and statement hats are great ways to elevate any outfit.

Teressa Foglia, the modern-day milliner who put luxury, custom hats on the fashion map, says this fall season is about playing around with textures like raw denim, linen, and canvas fabrics. At her posh boutique in River Oaks District, Foglia sells vintage pins and charms for her bespoke hats as a unique way to round out a look.

“Some of the trends that I’m loving for fall this year are jewel-toned hats in colors like burgundy, forest green and gold,” she tells CultureMap. “Wide-brimmed hats and rancher styles with flipped brims are always great in Texas.”

High-steppin'

Like clothing and statement accessories, shoe trends this fall have scaled up — way up. “In contrast to the stay-at-home minimalism we’ve seen over the past couple of years, this season, the shoe trend says the higher, the better,” says Armanious. “Simon Miller designs a great platform shoe that delivers the escalated effect of heels but allows for more mobility.”

Photo courtesy of Zimmermann

Go flowy and dramatic this fall with Zimmermann.

Stepping up

Texas bootmaker strikes a glossy note with the debut of new patent line

Photo courtesy of Miron Crosby

Miron Crosby reimagines its signature Maggie boot in high-gloss patent leather for a polished update.

Cowboy boots are based in tradition, but Miron Crosby continues to find ways to move the conversation forward. The Dallas-based label’s latest release, the Maggie Patent Collection, debuts a new material to its signature lineup while staying true to the workmanship that built its following.

The brand’s best-selling Maggie boot is now available in a high-gloss patent leather. Although the new finish changes the silhouette's tone, delivering a more fashion-forward take on Western footwear, the boot’s structure remains the same.

“Maggie is such a classic, flattering shape, so even when you introduce something like a patent, it still feels timeless at its core,” co-founder Sarah Means Ward tells CultureMap.

When designing the boot, the sisters were careful not to lean into trends. They focused on letting the material enhance the boot rather than redefine it. “We wanted it to feel elevated and refined instead of overly flashy,” says Ward.

Miron Crosby Maggie Patent New colorways Beurre, Sable, and Transformative Teal bring depth and shine to the Maggie Patent lineup.Photo courtesy of Miron Crosby

Texas has strong roots and ideas about Western wear, and introducing patent leather into a heritage category can come with risks. The sisters approached the new collection with a respect for tradition as their foundation.

“The craftsmanship, the construction, the way the boot fits and feels, those elements are non-negotiable,” Duplantis says. “From there, it’s about evolving the design in a way that still feels authentic.”

The look was first tested in 2019 when Miron Crosby worked with Prabal Gurung on a limited run of patent boots for his runway show. That collaboration allowed Miron Crosby to explore new materials, something the brand has continued to build on. With Maggie Patent, that early concept was refined into a boot designed for daily wear, not just for the runway.

“It showed us that something as unexpected as patent leather can feel completely natural in a Western silhouette when it’s approached thoughtfully,” says co-founder Lizzie Means Duplantis.

The collection is available at their River Oaks boutique, in three colorways: Beurre, Sable, and Transformative Teal, which were influenced by materials seen at the 2025 Lineapelle show in Milan.

“The patent leathers had this incredible richness that made us think about color in a different way,” Ward says.

The sisters chose colors that were naturally approachable. Neutral tones like Beurre and Sable are great for everyday wear, while Transformative Teal offers a statement moment. “Some days (our customer) wants something understated, other days she wants something that stands out,” says Duplantis. “This was about giving her both.”

Photo courtesy of Miron Crosby

Miron Crosby reimagines its signature Maggie boot in high-gloss patent leather for a polished update.