I love fall clothes. Maybe even more than I love fall weather, which is a good thing considering we live in Texas and sometimes have to pretend it's fall for a while....and sometimes it seems like we skip right over autumn and head straight into winter.

But here's what I don't love: feeling like I need an entirely new wardrobe every time the trends change.

At 44, I'm much more interested in figuring out which trends actually work with the clothes I already own. Sprinkling in new styles every season but still relying heavily on staple pieces that I wear year after year. 

I want things that feel current without feeling like I'm trying too hard. And most importantly, I want clothes that I can actually wear.

So after looking through what's happening for fall, here are the trends I'm paying attention to at Cotton & Cashmere.

Denim is getting a little cleaner again

We've had several years of really oversized denim, and while the wide leg isn't disappearing, denim is starting to look a little more streamlined again. Straight legs, bootcuts, cigarette shapes and higher rises are all showing up for fall.

Personally, I like having options.

I still love a relaxed jean, but there's something really good about putting on a straighter jean with a simple sweater, loafer or boot and calling it done. 

This is also why I'm always telling people not to get rid of every jean in their closet just because the silhouette changes. Fashion has a funny way of coming right back around. 

Layers are where it gets fun

Jackets are a big part of the season, but they don't have to feel heavy or overly structured.

Think trenches, cropped jackets, cardigans, relaxed blazers and even cape details. The classic pieces are still there. They've just gotten a little more interesting.

This is probably one of my favorite ways to update a wardrobe.

Jeans and a white tee you've owned for three years suddenly feel completely different when you throw on a great jacket.

Texture is replacing a lot of the fuss

Instead of needing a really complicated outfit, we're seeing more interest come from the fabric itself. Chunky knits, suede, soft sweaters, denim, interesting woven fabrics and pieces that mix different textures together.

That's very much how I like to dress.

Give me a beautiful sweater, good denim and a great shoe and I'm happy.

It also makes getting dressed easier because the clothes are doing some of the work for you.

The colors feel rich, but still wearable

Fall color is always good, but this year I'm especially loving the deeper, earthy shades.

Burgundy, caramel, chocolate brown, deep navy and olive all feel important, with pops of stronger color mixed in here and there.

And no, you do not need to suddenly dress head-to-toe in burgundy because someone declared it a trend.

Try a sweater. A jacket. A bag.

That's enough.

Classics are getting a little personality

One of the bigger ideas I'm seeing this season is a return to classic feminine dressing, but it feels less precious and much more relaxed.

A pretty cardigan with jeans.

A feminine blouse with a slightly slouchier pant.

A polished coat over sneakers.

A really simple outfit with an unexpected accessory.

That mix feels modern to me.

I think by the time we reach our 40s, most of us know ourselves well enough to realize we don't need to wear every trend. We just need a few things that make the clothes we already love feel fresh again.

And finally...wear the fun thing

This might actually be my favorite shift happening in fashion right now.

After several years of very quiet, very neutral dressing, personality is coming back. Prints, texture, interesting jewelry, unexpected color and statement pieces are showing up everywhere again.

I am here for it.

There is absolutely a place for the perfect white shirt and great jeans. But there should also be something in your closet that makes you smile when you put it on.

Maybe that's a funky jacket. Maybe it's a big earring. Maybe it's a print you wouldn't normally wear.

Fashion should still be fun, friend.

That's really what I'm looking for when I buy for Cotton & Cashmere: pieces that feel current without having a one-season expiration date. Things you can wear now, mix with what you already own and hopefully still reach for a few years from now.

Because at this point in my life, I'm much less interested in having more clothes.

I just want better ones.

XX,

Amber