With its revolving door of trends, fashion can be an expensive habit. Luckily, some of the items you may have sported last fall, like oversized knits, dresses and bangle bracelets, are carrying over into this fall. Even better news? Some styles may even stick around until next year, according to experts. By knowing which key pieces to invest in, you can cultivate a wardrobe that can be recycled -- instead of thrown away -- each season.
First, it's important to know that the key to spotting a long-lasting trend is versatility. "It's something that works in your wardrobe season after season, like an A-line skirt or a simple but great turtleneck that fits you and flatters you," says Michele Parsons, president and chief merchandising officer for the iconic Liz Claiborne label. "A long-lasting trend is something you can wear over and over again and it still feels relevant."
A few key pieces are standing out again this season as they did last season, and in some cases, even the season before that. One example of a trend quickly becoming a wardrobe staple is the dress. "It comes in so many different forms, like the chic shift dress," says Parsons. "This season Liz has a sharkskin dress that comes in a lightweight wool, so you can wear it by itself in the summer and in the fall or winter by pairing it with a cardigan or blazer."
Speaking of blazers, Parsons says you can expect to see more and more of the shrunken version of these chic cover-ups that made their debut last fall. "It's something that feels new and may be on its way to becoming a classic," she says.
Dresses also look great with this season's must-have shoe: the bootie. "All of the dresses for fall are brightly colored and monochromatic and I think they look great paired with a bootie," says Sari Sloane, vice president of fashion and merchandising for the Intermix boutique in New York and Los Angeles. (Mischa Barton shops there regularly.)
Also, if you bought an oversized knit last year, it is definitely something worth retaining in your closet this fall. "Oversized knitwear has been big for the past few seasons," says Sloane. In fact, if you only have the means to invest in one piece for fall, a designer knitwear piece is your best bet, she says. "I recommend one by Stella McCartney," she shares. "They started the trend a few years ago and they do it best."
Quality is important too, she adds. Sloane says knitwear is sticking around this year partly because the items are so well made, people want to wear them again and again. "When knitwear first started, the quality was really beautiful, so it had this aspect of luxury to it," she says, as opposed to being something that was cheaply made and screaming fad.
Though they didn't exactly catch on last year, high-waisted pants are having a go at another season. "It's all about balance and proportion," Liz Claiborne's Parsons says. "Some of the first versions we saw were extreme, like really high waists and too-large legs."
