The new fall trends to take to work this year

Not every buzzy runway trend works for real life; unless you're in the creative industries, styling ideas like brightly coloured tights and head-to-toe sparkle can be hard to pull off at the office. Yet it makes total sense that some of the most exciting fall pieces take their initial inspiration from runway collections, because those boundary-pushing creations also influence the general cultural zeitgeist (who can forget that iconic Devil Wears Prada scene about cerulean blue?).

And so for fall, if the changing weather has you more than ready to liven up your staid work wardrobe, here are the top runway-inspired trends that feel new for the season, and can effortlessly be styled for the office. Try them on for size, and be prepared for compliments from your co-workers.

Mixed checks and plaids

Menswear-inspired fabrics are highly covetable this fall, for both suiting and more casual ready-to-wear silhouettes. At Creatures of Comfort, for example, designer Jade Lai showed plaid and check pieces with everything from tailored blazers to sequined pants. The trick to making this trend look au courant? Rocking multiple colours and types of patterns in your outfit, and embracing a mix of woolen textures.

Plaid Wrap Top, $29, joefresh.com

Plaid Tweed Coat, $129, zara.com

Malika Sweater, $188, clubmonaco.ca

Wilfred Chambery Pant, $148, aritzia.com

Western-inspired

The white cowboy-style boot is already everywhere, and it's no wonder that other cowboy and Western-wear motifs are big this fall. From fringed jackets at Coach 1941 to bolo ties and shearling coats at Louis Vuitton, the American Southwest provides plenty of fashion inspiration. For work, why not try a western-style jacket when temperatures dip, or a chambray shirt in place of your go-to white blouse?

Studio Collection Denim Shirt, $79.99, hm.com

Boutique Leather Western Jacket, about $426, topshop.com

Maje Jerto Western Belt Leather Mini Skirt, $510, thebay.com

The skirt suit

It's probably been a while since any of us have sported a wool skirt suit to work (or anywhere else, really). Which is perhaps why the ones shown at Altuzarra and Chanel all of a sudden look so compelling. It certainly helps the case when the blazer is a little oversized, or the skirt is mini-length or has a slit-detail.  

Double-Breasted Plaid Blazer, $104.93, and Plaid Short Skirt, $55.93, rw-co.com

Piper Jacket, $525, and Piper Skirt, $285, reiss.com

Slim Fit Checked Wool Blazer, $275, and Pointed Check Wool Skirt, $150, massimodutti.com

Bright hues

We'll always love autumnal shades like hunter green and navy in the fall, but after seeing the vibrant splashes of colour in the Marc Jacobs Fall/Winter 2018 show, jewel tones and bright hits of yellow are certainly going to be making their way into our closet. For day, these rich tones are eye-catching but still sophisticated. And even if you're not quite ready to sport a marigold coloured coat to the office, a sweater in this hot hue would pair perfectly with the neutral blue jeans and grey trousers in your work wardrobe.

Uniqlo U Wool V-Neck Cardigan, $79.90, uniqlo.com

Logan Trouser-Fit Machine-Washable Herringbone Pant, $134, bananarepublic.gapcanada.ca

Universal Standard for J.Crew Poplin High-Low Maxi Dress, $190, jcrew.com

Truc Nguyen is a Toronto-based writer, editor and stylist. Follow her at @trucnguyen.