Preppy English country style trend embraced by city slickers

[The primary call for Fall 2024 trends is to get in touch with the grass. The fashion industry is calling for us to get off our phones and get outside, or at least dress like an outdoorsman in burly barn jackets, riding boots, tartan, tweed, etc. The niche, down-to-earth dressing for fall 2024 is the English Country style trend. style trend. This fashion aesthetic incorporates a wardrobe in the rich tradition of Balmoral royalty (but without the stiffness and politics of aristocracy) and Bella Hadid's horse-girl cool.

Ironically, the trend has struck a chord with urban chic in particular as a fashionable breath of fresh air fix. Weathered workwear jackets from Prada and field jackets from Barbour and Carhartt were spotted in street style at New York Fashion Week. London Fashion Week attendees wore herringbone blazers, cable-knit sweaters, and felt riding hats to the Burberry and JW Anderson runway shows. Even Milan Fashion Week, a seven-day period synonymous with classic Italian craftsmanship and anti-trendy fashion, had guests dining outdoors in wicking wax jackets and rain boots that could be worn to clean stables and tend chickens.

The most refreshing thing about the recent rural trend is that it is actually wearable. As I write this article, sitting next to me, Marie Claire senior fashion news editor Haley Rusavage is wearing a long denim skirt from the Alexa Chung and Madewell collaboration, Kate Middleton-endorsed brand Sézane's eyelet blouse, and tasteful block-heeled boots in mahogany brown, while a plaid long barn jacket from J.Crew hangs over the back of her chair for when she leaves her office in midtown Manhattan. The country attire is far less ostentatious than the peacocking (two words: no pants) often seen outside of the runways during Fashion Month.

Rusavage, a self-described “late-aged horse girl,” says she was not inspired by British Isles style in terms of dressing, but by the idea of accessible, “easily put together sophistication” that embraces the spirit of the aesthetic. I like that [the clothes] don't try too hard. It feels very natural, but has a specificity that won't get old in two years,” says the senior fashion editor.

That's exactly right. British country style is already a central element of the season, with fall boots and outerwear that can withstand the great outdoors. According to Lyst, a global fashion shopping platform, searches for tweed, tartan, and Aran sweaters increased significantly during September.

But before you start shopping with the British countryside in mind, why not take a look at the street styles for Spring Fashion Month 2025? Outfit inspiration and trendy items await.

Here's how to do fall fashion without falling into the territory of snarky, nudge-nudge-wink-wink, pumpkin spice.

When in doubt, go for an easy, sophisticated take on the suit. A brown wool blazer and a coordinating pencil skirt are perfect candidates to add to your fall work attire.

Sometimes, a coat is the outfit. In the case of this well-dressed Milan Fashion Week guest, a thick staggered black and white coat does the heavy lifting in her look (although her bright blue denim skirt deserves a mention, too).

The key to a monochrome outfit is to keep the colors in the same tonal family. Here, a Fashion Week guest takes inspiration from the Fall 2024 color trend, styling a green fleck turtleneck and olive skirt.

As predicted by Marie Claire's Fashion Director and Style Oracle Sarah Holzman, the Fall 2024 hat trend is in full swing. This MFW guest wore a Prada velvet riding cap in a horse-girl look.

Swinging silhouettes take hard-working fall jackets from the field to Fashion Week, or wherever you plan to wear them.

Vintage hair scarves are a key accessory trend for summer and will have longevity for fall 2024, as evidenced by this retro-inspired London Fashion Week attendee. With Burberry's heritage house check scarf, you can't go wrong.

Another outfit idea to add to your workwear rotation: a yummy turtleneck, a black boxy blazer, and pants.

Tartan plaid, with its historical ties to England, was a common sight in street style at London Fashion Week. This guest chose a cherry red and black lady's jacket, offset with silver buttons for a bright pop of color.

A sturdy choir jacket could be complemented with tall riding boots, but rubber rain boots are a more unexpected and therefore exciting option.

Sweater vests and pants can be freshened up with a little modern flair, such as baggy, barrel-leg silhouettes and thick, must-touch textures.

If you can't decide between textures, find pieces that combine them, like Rails' Cody blazer, which offers two looks and two materials for the price of one.

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