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As summer draws to a close and the back-to-school routine kicks in, shoppers feel the urge to refresh their wardrobes. Away go the jelly shoes, butter-yellow tops, and mini-skirts; out come pieces designed for brisker days ahead. Which means it’s time to stock up on your pre-autumn apparel and accessories now.
Below you’ll find five key wardrobe trends we expect to drive pre-autumn sales this year. Backed by Faire’s unique data insights, this guide will help with your product discovery, and it includes some surefire bestsellers to keep in mind.
Capes and ponchos
The boho-chic movement we identified earlier in the year shows no sign of fading, and the fashion poncho is our pick for this season’s standout. Searches for “poncho” on Faire have already begun their annual rise (up 39% year on year in July), while searches for “cape” climbed 20% between June and July.
According to Refinery29, cape jackets are the latest outerwear must-have, and Marie Claire notes that capes are appearing everywhere from the runway to the high street, seen on celebrities and designed to be endlessly versatile, whether dramatic or pared back.
Think about your clientele when curating: for the boho-minded, consider a terracotta poncho for chilly evenings, an easy throw-on cape in a variety of colours, or an asymmetrical poncho that brings serious Toteme vibes. For a more structured, work-ready silhouette, look to this cape jacket from Attentif Paris, or try a breezier option like a vegan cashmere cape. And for those seeking sport-inspired outerwear that remains stylish, a quilted puffer cape makes the perfect companion for busy days out and about.
Barrel jeans
Cinched at the waist, roomy through the thighs, and narrowing at the ankle, barrel jeans divide opinion. But while the cut may be controversial, it is gaining momentum.
We began to see searches for “barrel jeans” on Faire rise in August 2024. Now, they’re up 48% month on month and 112% year on year.
Whether loved or loathed, barrel-leg denim is all over the fashion press (Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire), on the runway, and even in film. According to InStyle, Anne Hathaway is wearing them in the latest Devil Wears Prada instalment.
Not sure where to begin? Opt for relaxed barrel jeans with a side panel, dark-wash versions with a cuff, or high-rise barrel-leg jeans with button detailing. And if denim feels too bold, explore slouchy barrel trousers in shades from black and caramel to camel and white.
(P.S. If barrel jeans aren’t quite right for your customers, wide-leg trousers are thriving too, with searches up 26% month on month in July.)
Mock-neck tops
Searches for “mock neck” were up 159% month on month in July, and it is easy to see why. Perhaps it’s that status mock-neck sweatshirt Parke introduced last year, or that Meghan Markle and Joanna Gaines are fans of the flattering, sophisticated style.
When Who What Wear asked a former Nordstrom stylist about her predictions for 2025, she replied: “Mock- and turtlenecks are wardrobe essentials I’ll be wearing this season. They always feel timeless and chic, especially when layered under a leather jacket, blazer or wool coat.”
Our picks for mock-neck bestsellers include:
- Oversized mock-neck sweatshirt: equally suited to lounging or the gym, and wonderfully cosy.
- Mock-neck vegan leather top: adds a sleek edge to an evening look; pairs well with barrel jeans or a boho maxi skirt.
- Mock-neck ruffle-sleeve top: a sleeveless option that bridges the seasons.
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Mock-neck long-sleeve pullover: an everyday knit to carry shoppers through autumn into winter.
Silk scarves
Silk scarves have long been associated with luxury and refined taste. Net-a-Porter recently called them “the hard-working, versatile accessory that can transform an entire look.” While traditionally styled around the neck, shoulders, hair or handbag, the latest way to wear a scarf is knotted at the waist, creating something between a skirt and a belt.
From fashion week catwalks to celebrity style (Alexa Chung, Jenni Lee), it is clear scarves will remain a staple beyond summer. Try a large satin scarf that doubles as a pareo layered over jeans, a forest-green option for autumnal tones, or skinny scarves for belting in prints from paisley to equestrian-inspired. Animal motifs are also in demand, with leopard-print styles and even scarves decorated with actual leopards catching the eye.
Skorts
Searches for “skorts” on Faire have jumped 240% since December, and our nostalgic millennial hearts couldn’t be more pleased. Taylor Swift, Kaia Gerber, and Olivia Rodrigo are all fans — and with good reason. A skort combines the playful look of a mini-skirt with the practicality of shorts, delivering fashion and function in one. No wonder Vogue insists the “skorts obsession is going nowhere for 2025.”
Want to bring some skorts into your shop? Here are some of our favorites:
- Denim skort: mini length with three asymmetrical buttons, pure Barbie vibes.
- Scallop-edged skort: feminine touches make this a daily go-to.
- Bubble-hem skort: a playful, flouncy choice for late-summer garden parties.
- French terry skort: sweatshirt material meets skort styling.
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Faux suede wrap skort: a dressier piece for evenings out.
