If you “come alive in the fall time” (cue “Yarn” by The Weeknd)… classy-but-cozy season is so back via a fresh palette of rich autumnal hues ranging olive, rust and grays that promise to add natural elegance to also-trending neutrals—and we’re falling for it. Shop the season’s best shades for a highly saturated autumn.
By Melissa Howsam & Heidi Reid
Olive Green
Fashion always loves a baseball hat. Keep the dust out of your eyes (!) and your head up in this unique but still-easy-to-style fall mainstay that’s the perfect match for pumpkin patches and bad hair days alike. Cowboys don’t cry hat, $44, shopvoda.com
It’s a heavy-metal fall. Grommets and studs are going to be the much-needed detail on every outfit this autumn, and these tasteful-but-practical shoes will have you sliding (!) into the season in vogue. Lennya sandal by Isabel Marant, $482, uniquities.com
Jeans aren’t a closet staple for no reason—and these oversize (but not too oversize) olive-toned jeans sit perfectly at the intersection of mod and timeless. The Ditcher roller zip sneak jeans, $248, uniquities.com
Take a cue from Zoë Kravitz’s street style and stay sunny well into the cooler days with the subtle but practical pop of color these sunnies sport. Clever sunnies, $24, edgeofurge.com
Sustained Gray
Finally getting its moment in the sun, the corporate in-between gray-headed stepchild to white and black chic promises to turn heads as a statement-making closet essential this season. Reye scalloped sweater vest, $59, madisonboutique.com
Stockholm style is proving to be Sweden’s biggest export—aka it’s time to stock up (had to) on basic and easy-to-match sweaters for lounging, chai latte runs and everything in between. Go With Everything sweater, $64, shophellbent.com
Rust
ICYMI, flowy midiskirt aren’t just for Dead & Co. concerts anymore—now all aesthetics are flaunting them. Fall into the emerging trend and pair this comfy warm-toned op with boots or ballet flats. Itzel midiskirt, $98, uniquities.com
Who wouldn’t want to match the darkening orange of the trees lining their daily commute? Your work wardrobe needs this pop of color underneath a patterned blazer or a sheer blouse ASAP. Melly Contrast tank in rust, $36, edgeofurge.com
Raleigh rain is inevitable in the fall—so take the forecast by storm and perk up any outfit with fresh and funky outerwear. Imper Twiggy printed raincoat, $154, ctweekends.com
Bailey’s Heritage Collection 14K yellow gold World’s Most Perfect signet mini. $795, Bailey‘s Fine Jewelry, baileybox.com
It’s always wine o’clock at TheMixx with this Anne Pichon Sauvage Gris Montage 2022 rosé from southern France ($24.99), or uncork the taste of Napa Valley via this Nickel & Nickel Decarle Vineyard 2018 ($129.99).bottlemixx.com
Keep the holidays in gourd spirits with a handpainted holiday pumpkin from Rail + Stile. $25–$95, therailandstile.com
Give the perfect personalized gift with the custom script name necklace in 14K gold by Charles & Colvard! $489, Charles & Colvard Signature Showroom, charlesandcolvard.com
You’re gonna wanna rum for this all-natural Outer Banks Distilling Kill Devil Rum. Made from 100% Grade A molasses giving fab flavor from shelled NC pecans with a hint of local honey, the spirit is best enjoyed in tropical-style cocktails or as your favorite highball. $29.95, ABC stores
Add some flair to your neck with Uli Amsterdam’s textile jewelry at C.T. Weekends. The titillating Florence Pearls are skillfully screenprinted by hand to blend contemporary creative tools with a hint of the past. $180, ctweekends.com
Give the gift of good skin. At CLARA Dermatology + MedSpa skin care can be fun, results are natural, and beauty is easy. Gift cards offered from $50-500. claradermatology.com
Keep your coastal cool all year long via Village District’s Coastal Urge’s men’s and women’s everyday-wear featuring Mizzen+Main and Addison Bay. Button-down, $138; crewneck $168; coastalurge.com
Handmade by natives from the Southeast of Mexico out of lightweight woven plastic, Lola’s bags merge fashion with function. Each durable, waterproof tote at Fifi + Talbot is adorned with a 24K gold, sterling-silver-plated signature medallion and shoulder strap! $82, fifiandtalbotboutique.com
The North Hills gift card is the perfect gift for any occasion! Use it at almost any North Hills store, restaurant or salon. Purchase online, visitnorthhills.com/gift-cards
Spell out your affection with the Kenda Kist Jewelry initial lariat necklace. Choose 14K gold-filled or sterling silver and select from three lengths. The ultimate customizable gift! $105, kendakist.com
Stay Zen at Harmony Farms Natural Foods with a Serene House forest rusted diffuser ($33.49), Aura Cacia uplifting essential oils kit ($19.99) and a soul serenity bath soak ($19.99) to match. harmony-farms.net
14K white gold diamond bangle bracelet from Reliable Jewelry & Loan. 5 ct., $7,750, reliablejewelry.com
Bailey’s Goldmark Collection interlocking 14K yellow gold circle bracelet. 6.5”, 0.06TW, $350, Bailey‘s Fine Jewelry, baileybox.com
Aunt Ruby’s Peanuts offers the perfect option for holiday gifting. The Fabulous Five contains all the roasted products, plus the famous chocolate peanut clusters! From $67.95, auntrubyspeanuts.com
Embrace a cozy blend of freshly pressed apples, cardamom and hints of bourbon and malted rum with a Thymes simmered cider candle. $48–$60, Homewood Nursery & Garden Center, homewoodnursery.com
Vitis House classes and certifications make for the perfect gift for that special wine or spirits’ lover in your life to become a connoisseur. $99, vitishouse.com
It’s always tequila time. Gift yourself or a loved one a bottle of unique and exquisite Adictivo tequila this year. $49.95–$99.95, ABC stores
Channel the Christmas spirit every day with this wooden nutcracker advent calendar. $129.99, Logan’s Garden Shop, logantrd.com
Make a splash this holiday season when you give the gift of swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School! Packages from $260, goldfishwimschool.com
Gift the littles in your life this sweet, inspirational picture book written from a small pup’s perspective about how being small doesn’t equal the size of your worth. It promises to captivate until the very last page. $8.99, amazon.com
Tell us your style savvy without telling us with these acrylic and designer fabric trays from Rail + Style. $175–$195, therailandstile.com
A perfect addition to your favorite gardener’s holiday displays, light up a battery-operated Melrose Lighted Greenhouse from Homewood Nursery & Garden Center this season. $99.99–$149.99, homewoodnursery.com
Light and lively, the Lora Nikolova Julia necklace at C.T. Weekends resembles architectural networks embroidered with various components and linked in harmonious geometries—perfect for elegant personalities. $458, ctweekends.com
Hoop dreams found—handforged in 14K gold-filled or sterling silver, and adorned with Swarovski crystals. You’ll find yourself reaching for these lightweight, effortless and fun star hoop earrings from Kenda Kist time and time again. $98,kendakist.com
Keep your coastal cool all year long via Village District’s Coastal Urge’s men’s and women’s everyday-wear featuring Mizzen+Main and Addison Bay. Button-down, $138; crewneck, $168; coastalurge.com
Say sip sip hooray at TheMixx with a Francoise Bedel & Fils ‘Entre Ciel et Terre’ Brut 2014 Champagne, touting a simply electric taste and featuring notes of jasmine, green tea, lime, grapefruit and white currant. Regularly $113, holiday sale price $75, bottlemixx.com
Give the gift of confidence with a gift certificate to Mad Ethel’s Tattoo & Body Piercing via tattoos, piercings, and tattoo removal or lightening. madethelstattoo.com
It’s more than a gift—it’s a memory in the making. Give the gift of relaxation via Skin Sense gift cards, membership cards and packages. To create the perfect gift, add a holiday coupon book and choose from many of the day spa’s unique boutique items—and let Skin Sense do the wrapping for you at the Gift Bar. Voila—shopping made easy! skinsense.com
Oh, Christmas tree! It’s holiday thyme indeed with this Thymes Frasier Fir sink set ($44.99), and Thymes Frasier Fir aromatic candles at Logan’s Garden Shop ($39.99–$64.99). logantrd.com
Adorn yourself in the epitome of comfort and elegance with the Woodhouse Spa robe. Plush, luxurious and velvety soft—and a gift to you with the purchase of a $350+ gift card. $125 value, Woodhouse Spa, northhills.woodhousespas.com
Bailey’s Club Collection 14K white gold diamond tennis necklace. 18”, 0.95TW, $4,495, baileybox.com
Coffee and toffee by salt lamp? Yes, please. Cozy up this season with Chapel Hill toffee ($12.99 for 10 oz.) and Larry’s Coffee Costa Lil’ Ricky ($16.79, organic) by an Evolution Salt raindrop salt lamp ($26.99) from Harmony Farms Natural Foods. harmony-farms.net
What’s neat? Yamato Japanese Whisky Special Edition Cask Strength at 98 Proof. $105.95, local ABC stores
Update your little’s look at recently bowed Dalhouse, A Store for Children in Five Points, offering apparel, shoes, accessories and special gifts from brands around the world. Marcie Puce girl’s dress, France, $105; Parchie Pal boy’s watch, New York, $65; Superga sneakers, Italy, $55; Poppie rattan pram, New York, $195; Gunner & Lux necklace, Maine, $24; BeBe Organic boy’s jacket, Portugal, $128; wearedalhouse.com
For awesome gifts that keep on giving, pamper your pet with Petfolk Care this festive season and embrace the joy of unlimited veterinary visits for just $99—a whopping $100 savings off the annual membership fee—with a Petfolk membership! Use code RMG, petfolk.com
Share the holiday spirit with the aspiring home bartender by gifting this vintage Georges Briard cocktail set, c. 1980. $249, thefabfoo.com
Elevate their look via fab finds at Evan Reid—from sculpted works by Penland School of Craft artist Ellie Richards to a gorgeous Grid lamp ($675) to fashionable Chair earrings ($85) and beyond. evanreid.com
Your favorite ’90s trends are back and better than ever.
Fashion is totally buggin’ this fall. Find influencers and runway models alike throwing it back 30 years and donning silky satin dresses, Mary Jane stompers and oversize flowers (we see you, Chanel). To boot, a slew of celebrity style icons (see: Kate Moss, Claudia Schiffer, Julia Roberts and other leading ladies of the ’90s) are even rocking ’fits better than the sitcom TV reboots (!). Whether you lived through the decade or wished you did, the ’90s revolutionized fashion—and, clearly, continues to have an impact on styles today. Here, we delve into the trends making a comeback and where to find them.
Tiny Sunglasses This style’s so bright we gotta wear shades! Summon your inner Rachel Green by parking your specs on the very end of your nose with a dark-hued outfit to match. Slay!
Floral Bucket Hat Floral and funky? It’s no fashion flop. Missy Elliott has always had supa dupa fly fashion, but her iconic bucket hat is likely her most popular accessory to revive.
Wide-Leg Jeans Calling all skinny-jeans wearers! This just in: Trendy jeans are only getting wider (sorry ’bout it). Commit to the ’90s look by grabbing a pair a bit too long and pairing with chunky kicks—you’ll be totally trippin’ in the best way.
Satin Slip Dress It’s giving Cher a la Clueless. This light and easy dress can be glammed up with heels, or channel street-style swagger with a pair of sneaks. We love the versatility!
Platform Mary Janes Take your style to new heights—literally—via chunky platform heels. Level up your look even further by pairing with fun tights for work or a night out, or wear over frilly crew socks for that kitschy Full House look.
Flare Capri Pants Add some, ahem, “flare” to your ’fit and pair these capris with a formfitting tee and a pair of platform flip-flops—Sarah Jessica Parker would be beyond proud. Bonus: Flares are a must-have transitional piece as the weather gets cooler.
Flower Choker Everyone from Kendall Jenner to Matilda Djerf to Harry Styles is hopping on this whimsical trend feat. chokers flaunting every size of flower—from petite blossoms to enormous blooms. The bigger the flower, the bigger the statement!
Fanny Packs The pack is back! This hip trend is making quirky cute again… but this time with a twist. Wear the OG “fanny pack” diagonally around your body for ultimate convenience—and to avoid looking like a child.
Biker Shorts No, you don’t need to be a biker to wear biker shorts. The trend—originally made famous by forever fashion muse Princess Diana—is just as appropriate for lounging in an oversize sweater as it is paired with a blazer. Lady Di approved!
The winter blues are no match for spring’s hottest hues.
Fashion is feeling blue this spring (!). Recent runways and collections saw a variety of shades and hues—from denim duds to cozy robin’s egg pieces to vibrant bright blue details. Here, some local must-have blue selects. Get ready to spring forward—in style!
Bubble-Sleeve Floral Minidress Florals for spring (in the season’s hottest color, natch)—groundbreaking, indeed! Bubble sleeves and a bodice smock up the fun factor and create unique dimension. Shop the Trend: fab’rik, @fabrikraleigh
Crossbody Bag Stylish storage? Yes, please! Especially when its a shiny enamel-finished faux leather purse complemented by gorgeous gold-toned hardware—aka the perf balance of edgy and chic. … And the added crossbody strap allows you to bop around town hands-free. Convenient fashion FTW! Shop the Trend: Madison, @madisonraleigh
Cotton Scarf This all-in-one scarf, shawl and blanket is ideal for those chilly spring NC evenings—or for when you’re jet-setting off on vacay (we all know how freezing airplanes are!). Consider it a must-have for your spring break trip. Shop the Trend: Fifi and Talbot Boutique, @fifiandtalbot
High-Rise Trousers If you despise jeans, you’re gonna wanna add these bright slouchy pants to your rotation. They’re fun yet classy, making them perfect for the office—and post-work happy hour, obv. Shop the Trend: Uniquities, @uniquities
Flowy V-Neck Blouse We’re all about letting it flow this spring! A royal blue top is guaranteed to grab attention in a sea of your standard spring pastels. Shop the Trend: C.T. Weekends, @ctweekends
Bubblegum Bodysuit Bodysuits are guaranteed to be a staple in your spring wardrobe. Their versatility makes them perfect for dressing up or down, and they can be styled in a variety of ways—paired with a flowy skirt for a night out or a casual pair of jeans. Shop the Trend: Vestique, @vestiquecrabtree
Midiskirt Midiskirts are having a revival. The trendy hem length is arguably the most comfortable, as it’s not too short that you’ll have to worry about pulling your skirt down every 15 seconds, and not too long that the hemline grazes the ground and gets dirty after one wear. Shop the Trend: Voda Boutique, @vodaboutique
Beaded Bracelet These handstacked resin bracelets—available in a variety of colors, including cobalt and light blue—instantly evoke scenes of dreamy destinations like Morocco, Mexico and Bali. NTM they’re great for layering with other gold-toned bracelets. Bring on the bling! Shop the Trend: Ella Collective, @shopellacollective
Oversize Romper It doesn’t get more comfy than this oversize cotton romper. The best part? It has pockets (!). Consider it your spring weekend uniform—perfect for lazing around the house. Shop the Trend: The Flourish Market, @theflourishmarket
Fringe Sneaker These shoes were made for making a statement! Smooth leather and fringe details add much-needed flair to any outfit—whether casual or dressy. Stepping up your sneaker game has never been easier. Shop the Trend: Monkee’s of Raleigh, @monkeesofraleigh
Bowing in 1949, this urban oasis nestled near DTR has seen many iterations over the years—and has stood the test of time. Today, its chic surrounds, shops and eateries are a go-to—as is its brand-new Goodnights Comedy Club locale that resurrected the Village underground.
Pinkies up! Sip over 250 different types of organic loose leaf teas born from a family’s love of the beverage and desire to spread the love of the (tea) leaf. Can you brew it? @tinroofteas
Get your comedy fix in a contemporary, underground and newly opened (!) atmosphere touting both big names and upcoming local legends. Ready to laugh? @goodnightscomedy
