Carefully ducking under a low-hanging branch, I glanced at the sky, hoping the sun would peek out from the clouds. Continuing my lunch walk, I looked at the pretty two-story houses with perfect lawns. Suddenly I saw the first sign of fall - The orange leaf on the sidewalk.

I love summer and all it brings: late sunsets, heat, a cute weekend outfit. Summer never lasts long enough, to me. But it was time to admit to myself that winter was coming.

With this sudden thought, the rest of my walk passed quickly. I mentally sorted through my pants, sweaters, shoes, and coats. Did anything need to be replaced? Would my ankle booties survive the snow? Wait, do I even like my fall and winter clothes?? All these thoughts swirled through my head as I walked home and through the door.

I do like my clothes. I don’t buy new clothes every season, but I do have raggedy sweaters. I am also not sure my old ankle booties will keep my feet dry one more snowfall. So if I am going to buy new clothes, it should be something cute and functional!

Since I need new clothes, I searched online for trendy fall clothes to see what I could find. And oh, did I find great, fresh style! So if you are like me and want to freshen your wardrobe to dazzle both friends and coworkers, here are 5 trends to try.

1. Suede sneakers

I love suede sneakers; I already own a pair of pink and beige sporty Pumas, so I'm thrilled to see so many more styles out! (see my post here)

My feet get cold easily, so I wear slippers at home. These Kelsi Dagger Brooklyn Scotty Slip-On Sneakers from DSW would be perfect to wear around the house, or to sneak out for a quick coffee run during lunch. Pair these with a relaxed flare jean and a cropped brown jacket.

2. Croc-embossed accessories

I fell IN LOVE when I saw this croc-embossed deep red-purple satchel from Aldo's. The color is a shade I haven’t seen before, and it pairs well with the gold handles.

The classiness makes me feel like it belongs in an office and at date night. Even better? I can wear it cross-body when my hands are full. And I’m often lugging a heavy laptop into the office, along with two, yes, two, coffee mugs, along with a lunch bag.

Croc-embossed accessories - check. Unique color - check. You will be ready for whatever happens this fall with this satchel!

The satchel bag from Aldo got me wondering how popular this near-burgundy color is. Turns out, burgundy, maroon, purple, and brown are the “It” colors this fall. Every clothing store I visited in person or searched online has a wide selection of items in this color. (I still love the bag anyway).

3. The color burgundy

This burgundy mesh top from Maurices is the new popular color. Its long sleeves will keep you warm on those chilly autumn days and nights. The deep color easily transitions from daytime to nighttime. This is all a win for me.

Express also carries a maroon crew neck and sleeveless sweater. The open stitching makes me think of romance and being cozy around a bonfire, making s'mores. Or imagine yourself strolling through a Farmer’s Market for flowers. Either way, this will be a popular look around town here!

4.Tailoring

When I hear of tailored clothes, I picture alterations so my jeans aren’t flowing past my feet. But tailoring in the fashion world is so much more than making your pant leg shorter. Tailoring is the cut and fit of the item and how you express yourself through the fit. Alterations are small changes to a piece of clothing. The Chic Tribe has an excellent article on this subject, and it was informative for my own education. But back to this article!

Expect tailored clothing that defines your body and isn't oversized or shapeless. These items show off your curves and body shape, and to me, that is a good thing. Show off your style and personality with this brown suede belted blazer from Express Clothing. The buttons add an element of chic, while the belt pulls it all together. I can see myself wearing this in the office or when I want to impress someone at a dinner party.

5. Ruffles

If you're still in love with lacy, sheer clothing, then I recommend adding ruffles to your wardrobe. Ruffles play right into the romance trend and add softness. Plus, it's cute!

I found this ruffled V-neck blouse in a mauve shade at Kohl’s. The LC Lauren Conrad brand at Kohl’s has popular clothing that fits well, and this blouse is no exception. The color complements many skin tones, and dreamy ruffles make it easy to wear to brunch or around town. I like shopping at Kohl’s because of the large selection and different cuts and styles they carry. This blouse is fashionable without leaning too far into fast fashion.

There is much to look forward to this fall in the fashion world-fun accessories and reimagined clothing. With that, it's time for me to go shopping! What trends are you excited to see and wear?

Follow Kimmecurates on Pinterest for more fashion ideas and tips!