FALL FASHION LOOKBOOK: WHAT’S IN STORE

BY INGRID SCHMIDT

Eight influential fashion brands highlight the season’s must-have looks and pieces.

September 7, 2022

Autumn is all about a mix of tradition with comfort and joy. Fresh spins on forever pieces inspire dressing up and going out. The season signals a welcome return to the stability of sharp tailoring, albeit worn with a relaxed attitude. Suiting is reinvented in a variety of forms: A double-breasted jacket and trousers, a tuxedo dress, a three-piece short suit, a boxy blazer with a denim mini skirt–even a logo-patterned track suit or a denim jacket with matching wide-leg jeans. The secret is in the styling. Slip in a spangled Fair Isle crewneck, a bejeweled button-down, a houndstooth corset or a skinny leather tie and channel some fall fun.

−

SOUTH COAST PLAZA

8 KEY BRANDS SHOWCASE FALL’S TOP FASHION TRENDS

−

GUCCI

Creative director Alessandro Michele’s “Exquisite Gucci” collection focuses on impeccably tailored suiting in vibrant,’70s-inspired plaid or quiet gray GG-logo patterns. Emphasis on the double-breasted jacket. Skinny leather neckties, imaginative takes on traditional shirting (here, with fanciful crystal-and-pearl detailing), and standout handbags complete the look.

714.557.9600
Level 2, Between Jewel and Carousel Courts

FENDI

Women’s artistic director Kim Jones presents cropped, mock neck jackets with high-waist trousers that channel legs for days. Creative director of menswear and accessories Silvia Venturini Fendi offers relaxed-yet-polished silhouettes, bold graphic patterns, and a new go-to running shoe for the guys, as well as riffs on the iconic Baguette and a soft trunk logo bag.

714.751.1111
Level 1, Jewel Court

THOM BROWNE

Continually redefining tradition, Browne serves up his latest iterations of skirting for all in tonal patterned black or white. The layered maxi skirt-dress pops against a crisp white button-down and bow tie, platform spectators, and a boxy camel blazer with contrast piping; his elegant evening uniform is topped off with a playful cloche pom-pom hat and easygoing desert boots.

714.410.8485
Level 2, Saks Fifth Avenue wing

SAINT LAURENT

A sleek double-breasted black tux with strappy, raspberry-colored sandals is all she needs for evening, thanks to creative director Anthony Vaccarello. Sharp double-breasted suiting for him, with polished gold buttons and cropped trousers, is perfectly disheveled by design with rolled cuffs and an undone necktie. The finishing touch: horsebit-strap penny loafers.

714.429.0101
Level 2, Between Jewel and Carousel Courts

DIOR

New takes on the skirt (here, long and pleated in a statement print, paired with a flawless black turtleneck) are a focal point of women’s artistic director Maria Grazia Chiuri’s “The Next Era” collection. Men’s tailored khaki jackets by creative director Kim Jones dress up with a paillette-coated Fair Isle sweater or dress down with ripstop bermuda shorts and tech sandals.

714.557.9600
Level 2, Between Jewel and Carousel Courts

DOLCE&GABBANA

The style messaging of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana’s collection is fit for the metaverse. Inflated shoulders and high-gloss fabrics for women took the form of a minidress with a matching logo bag and sculptural heels. For guys, the designers looked to Machine Gun Kelly as muse. Logo print track suits are reimagined by multidisciplinary artist Rocco Pezzella.

714.668.9142
Level 2, Saks Fifth Avenue wing

VERSACE

Leave it to Donatella Versace to add va-va-voom to suiting: a houndtooth corset layered under a boxy plaid jacket, teamed with a barely-there denim miniskirt. Her “Versace 2.0” men’s collection also caters to “the new generation,” featuring fresh takes on the signature Barocco and La Greca monogram patterns in punchy colors and a new high-waisted, wide-leg pant.

714.380.3237
Level 2, Between Jewel and Carousel Courts

BALENCIAGA

Creative director Demna Gvasalia (now known as Demna) channels the ’90s this season with “The Lost Tape” collection. Loose-fitting, flared”raver jeans” with a low rise reveal logo underwear and are worn with neon crop tops. Denim jackets take on slouchy oversize proportions, while some pieces are deconstructed with frayed edges to suggest grittier times.