Stylists share 11 items you should get rid of from your fall wardrobe

• We asked three stylists to share which wardrobe items people may want to reconsider this fall.
• Personality-driven pieces are replacing the quiet luxury trend, the experts said.
• Baggy and chunky styles could be getting a more refined update this fall.

As the leaves change colors in autumn, wardrobes tend to shift too.

Business Insider asked three professional stylists which wardrobe staples are starting to feel dated and what they recommend wearing instead.

Here’s what they had to say.

Sweaters with shoulder details could replace bulky cable-knits.

Fashion is leaning away from dropped shoulders and oversized, bulky shapes in heavy-textured sweaters, said David Zyla, stylist and author of “Color Your Style.”

This might look like styles with “built-in shoulder pads and strong horizontal boat-neck seaming or balloon sleeves,” Zyla told BI.

Wearing baggy everything may not be in style this fall.

According to Fred Kim, a New York-based stylist, wearing baggy clothing from head to toe is fading in popularity. There’s no need to rid your closet of relaxed pieces entirely, though.

Instead, the stylist recommends being more intentional about where you add volume.

“I think a modern approach would be just kind of getting rid of the oversized items and just keeping it a little more refined, or choose one area to create volume,” Kim said.

Consider replacing low ankle booties with taller boots.

Wardrobe stylist Rachel Varney said booties that dip down too low on the ankle are starting to feel outdated.

“I just think that maybe it’s better to keep our ankles covered for the fall,” Varney told BI.

Instead, the stylist recommends opting for boots that come up higher on the ankle.

Bodycon and cutout dresses are giving way to more romantic, vintage-inspired designs.

Tight bodycon silhouettes, plunging necklines, and cutout designs are stepping aside as softer, more romantic styles start to trend, Zyla said.

It might be time to put away the moto jackets.

The stylist suggested tailored, shrunken, and cropped fitted jackets as updated alternatives.

Funnel-neck jackets are an especially notable style this season, he said, appearing on everything from utility bombers to cropped silhouettes.

“Beyond the regal chic connotation of the tall, stiff collar, it’s also a super-practical solve in keeping the neck warm,” Zyla told BI.

The quiet-luxury trend is taking a backseat to bolder pieces.

Several of the stylists BI spoke with agreed that quiet luxury — which focuses on understated, minimalist fashions — is on its way out this autumn. Kim said the more neutral, uniform looks can feel a little too predictable.

Cargo pants with too many pockets might be wearing out their welcome.

According to Kim, cargo pants with too many pockets or zippers can feel outdated. Utility styles are still relevant, he said, but may be best done more simply.

“I would probably look for a relaxed cotton twill trouser with one or two subtle pockets, where you still get the functionality but you’re not looking like you’re heading into the woods or something,” Kim told BI.

Swap daintier jewelry for a statement brooch.

“I think it’s time to put the dainty, minimalist multi-layered chain necklaces in a drawer and use your jewelry box to store some focal-point brooches,” Zyla told BI.

There are a lot of options, he said. Brooches are showing up in a variety of designs, from autumnal motifs like leaves, pinecones, and acorns to more classic florals.

The stylist also suggests experimenting with placement rather than simply pinning one to your collar. Try adding a brooch to a handbag, using one to pin a cardigan closed, or placing one at the waistline of a dress.

Chunky sneakers could be replaced by slimmer options.

Varney and Zyla both agreed that platform, clunky sneakers are worth skipping this season.

Chunkier styles can look especially clunky when paired with dresses, Varney said, and they also are often not as flattering as slimmer-fitting shoes.

“These hybrid shoes feature soft satin finishes, really sleek low-profile silhouettes, and iconic lace-up ribbon ties,” Zyla told BI.

Consider taking a break from athleisure as everyday clothing.

Workout clothes as everyday wear is something Kim would love to see less of this season, particularly on men.

Comfort is still important, but the stylist recommends choosing more intentional fabrics, such as cotton, over synthetic materials that can sometimes read as overly casual.

Basic leather styles may take a backseat to funkier options.

For example, Zyla said, croc-embossed leather is gaining traction this fall.

“We’re seeing it in leather jackets. We’re seeing it in bags and skirts and handbags,” Zyla told BI. The textured finish offers a more interesting alternative to basic leather this fall.

This story was originally published on September 15, 2026, and most recently updated on October 27, 2026.

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