Cover Photo by Gillian Wisniewski
Fall is a big deal in the fashion industry, with sweaters, blazers, plaid and earthy tones always being a focus in fall fashion. Fall fashion combines comfort with style. Men and women’s fashion trends this season are embracing the casual yet classic look.
Women are wearing traditionally feminine materials including satin and lace, and more practical fashion pieces such as the fall must-have barn jacket. Meanwhile, men are embracing the preppy look with a mix of casual chic. Follow along as we dive deeper into the latest fall trends for men and women and how to style them.
Denim
Denim is a major trend this season, with the retro Y2K denim miniskirt being one of the hottest trends. The denim mini skirt is classic and offers versatility. You can dress it up with a cute top and heels or keep it casual with UH’s new Houston blue T-shirt and sneakers (perfect for game day attire).
Variations of the denim mini skirt such as pleated skirts, cargo pocket miniskirts and bubble hem skirts are also in style. Another option is to go for the iconic denim-on-denim look and pair it with jeans, T-shirt and sneakers when grabbing lunch with friends at the Student Center.
Denim is also a popular trend this fall for men’s fashion, specifically denim jackets. Waist-cropped denim jackets are on the rise and offer a modern twist to the classic piece. Men can style their denim jacket with khakis and a button-down shirt with loafers for a classic look.
Asymmetry
Asymmetrical cut tops are a huge trend in women’s fashion in 2025. You may have seen your favorite fashion brands using this piece or someone walking down the street wearing it. The asymmetrical style creates an eye-popping visual element that offers a sophisticated look to any outfit. It takes the traditional silhouette and gives it a modern twist.
Asymmetrical tops are flattering and slimming for all body types through off-center lines that distract from the midsection and create balance. Contrast is the core theme for autumn fashion, so make a statement by pairing your asymmetrical top with a distressed denim miniskirt and sneakers. This will give you that cute laid-back look perfect for a coffee meetup at Cougar Grounds with friends.
The equivalent of asymmetrical tops for men is striped polos and rugby shirts. The preppy look is prominent this fall for men, and it is impossible to not look good with either shirt. Style your striped polo shirt with jeans for a laid-back day studying in the library. Another option is to match the rugby shirt with khakis and loafers for the full preppy look.
Femininity & Romance
Femininity is making a huge comeback this fall in the way that traditionally feminine materials such as satin and lace are being emphasized in women’s fashion. Lingerie-style clothing has been a major fashion trend in 2025, along with lace maxi dresses, sheer tops, bubble skirts and satin material taking over women’s fall fashion.
This romantic style takes clothing that was traditionally worn underneath or in your own bedroom and has given it a modern renaissance as outerwear. In doing so, it combines comfort with confidence and encourages women to be comfortable in their own bodies. Try styling a black lace maxi dress with a black blazer and black heels for a date at the Blaffer Art Museum on campus.
This delicate trend is a refreshing change from the traditional autumn styles that we see every year and will give you a romantic look this fall.
Jackets
Swedish fashion model Elsa Hosk posted a photo on Instagram wearing a funnel-neck jacket that is expected to be fall’s number one fashion trend. Funnel-neck jackets provide a sporty take on the classic fall jacket with a raised collar.
According to Who What Wear, they are already selling out, so don’t miss your chance to hop on this fall trend. There are funnel-neck tops that also fit this trend which can be more comfortable during the hotter fall days in Houston. You can style your funnel-neck jacket with a T-shirt, wide-leg jeans and sneakers for hanging out with friends at Valenti’s common area.
A similar type of jacket that is popular this fall for men is the nylon windbreaker. This practical jacket is perfect for fall weather because it is light enough to carry around and will save you when that Houston weather does a 180 on you and it gets cooler or starts to rain. It can be paired with any outfit, including a laid-back white T-shirt, jeans and sneakers for when you are going from class to class and you forgot to check the weather that morning.
A-lister Jacket Trends
The barn jacket is another major trend this fall, with many celebrities seen wearing it, including Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner and Anne Hathaway. The barn jacket has been growing in popularity since 2024 and is now more popular than ever this fall. The barn jacket is typically connected to a workmanlike uniform and offers the same practicality as a fashion staple.
Barn jackets are classic and versatile. They can be worn in various styles. They can be dressed down with denim jeans and sneakers or up with a dress and flats for a beautiful picnic in front of The Cullen Family Plaza and Fountains. Barn jackets are also a sustainable fashion option. They will be a lasting fashion staple in your closet and provide you with longevity.
The A-list leather jacket is a must for any man’s closet. This leather jacket is cropped at the waist and gives off movie star vibes as seen from stars such as Austin Butler and Jacob Elordi. It will turn heads while simultaneously making you look taller. It is a must for date night and looks great with a fitted button-down shirt, dark jeans and Chelsea boots. After you finish dinner, make sure to take her out for dessert at Shasta’s Cones & More.
Vintage Fall Fashion Trends
Wide-leg pants are back! Men and women can enjoy the comfort and versatility they provide for any fall outfit. You can never go wrong with a pair of wide-leg pants. They go with everything, including an asymmetrical cut top and heels or a T-shirt, with sneakers for hanging out with friends at the Student Center game rooms. Cargo pants are another popular pant trend this season and can also be dressed up or down.
Plaid is the age-old fall trend, but this season we see fashion designers and icons embrace it differently. It is all about “less is more.” Plaid should be sprinkled in with an outfit, not be the whole outfit. Plaid is versatile and can be worn for any occasion. Styling a black shirt and plaid skirt with sandals or heels is perfect for getting your favorite fall drink at The Nook Cafe in the Retail, Auxiliary and Dining Center (RAD Center).
For men, western flannels and blue plaid are a major trend this fall. They are perfect for looking laid-back while still looking like effort was put into the outfit. Western flannels or blue plaid can be paired with denim jeans and sneakers for a boys’ night out at The Den sports bar on campus.
Shoes
Flat shoes are another trend that will continue into the fall from the 2025 fashion season. The No. 1 flat shoe trend this season is the flat slipper mules. They give a simplistic and elegant look to any outfit. Other popular flat trends this fall are loafers and ballet flats.
For men, loafers are taking over this fall, bringing back comfort and versatility. They can be worn with casual attire or office attire. Flat shoes are perfect for maintaining comfort when walking all over campus.
Formalwear
It would be almost illegal to not talk about homecoming fashion when covering the latest fall trends. Though the season has closed, it has only marked the start of the fall/winter formalwear season.
This year’s formal dresses are giving a nod to the early and mid-2000s trends with a modern twist. Minidresses are popular, giving a fun, youthful vibe that also makes it easier to dance. Midi dresses are also popular for a more elegant style.
Sequins, satin, metallic and glitter mesh are the core elements for homecoming and formal, winter fashion. Dresses with bold colors such as hot pink, royal blue, blazing red and emerald green are on the rise. This season’s dresses put a modern twist on classic styles with cowl necklines, one-shoulder styles, sheer and cut-out fabric.
You can top off your fashion-forward dress with mixed-metal jewelry for a modern finish. When in doubt, a little black dress with bold jewelry and heels is always a solid option.
The textured blazer is in for men’s formal fashion. Velvet and corduroy are the main materials in these textured blazers and are matched with solid-colored dress pants. Modern tailoring is a major focus of these looks, embracing wider lapels and fewer shoulder pads to create a comfortable and elegant fit.
The hottest colors for formalwear this season are rich tones such as burgundy, emerald green and deep blue-hued shades. Metallic is another popular fabric this season with metallic ties, pocket squares and metallic shirt details. Accessories, including a matching watch, belt and shoes, are the perfect way to upgrade your stylish outfit. You can even personalize your outfit by replacing the traditional dress shoes with iconic sneakers that match your personal style.
Campus Fall Fashion in a Nutshell
These are just some of the looks that are everywhere this season. Fall is a fun time for fashion aficionados because the season encourages people to dress stylishly while maintaining comfort.
This fall season is unique because instead of one specific look in style there are various looks people can choose based on their own personal style or try something new. There is the preppy look, the practical look, the romantic look, the classic retro look, and the best part is that many of these fashion pieces will last a long time and save you money on buying new clothes.
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something you wouldn’t typically wear or mix and match a couple of fall’s popular trends in one outfit.
Shameless plug: If you incorporate any of these fall fashion campus trends, post a picture on Instagram and tag @cooglife.
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