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Sorry, Millennials — These Fall Fashion Trends Are Dating You, So Here’s What To Wear Instead

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Sorry, Millennials — These Fall Fashion Trends Are Dating You, So Here’s What To Wear Instead

While fashion is, of course, subjective, there is something about fall that has millennials still reaching for tried-and-true fashion items that, unfortunately, scream 2016. And while olive green army jackets and faux suede thigh-high boots had their moment, they are, in fact, not timeless and will date you faster than having 19- as your date of birth on your driver’s license.

Person wearing a plaid skirt, orange coat, and knee-high boots, holding a large tan handbag and sunglasses, standing in a park with autumn leaves and trees

Maryviolet / Getty Images

Take or leave these suggestions, because, at the end of the day, you should wear what you want to. Plus, with how fast trend cycles move these days, give anything a year or two, and honestly, they’ll probably be back in style. However, if you are someone who is having a hard time relinquishing your distressed dark wash jeggings, here are some easy swaps you can make to update your wardrobe to this decade (sorry, we’re all about brutal honesty here).

Flat lay of a laid-back autumn outfit featuring a plaid fleece jacket, white boots, a baseball cap, nail polishes, eyeshadows, a faux pumpkin, and leavesFlat lay of a laid-back autumn outfit featuring a plaid fleece jacket, white boots, a baseball cap, nail polishes, eyeshadows, a faux pumpkin, and leaves

Kristen Prahl / Getty Images/iStockphoto

1.If wide-leg jeans have you lamenting how on earth you could possibly tuck them into your boots the way you did with skinny jeans, I have a middle ground for you: straight-leg jeans. Not quite as much of an adjustment is needed to incorporate them into your wardrobe, but a vast improvement. I hate to say it, but until skinny jeans are revived — don’t fret, it’s only a matter of time — they are now the unironic mom jeans.

A person stands facing forward, wearing fitted, ripped jeans rolled at the ankles, a tied shirt, and red ankle bootsA person stands facing forward, wearing fitted, ripped jeans rolled at the ankles, a tied shirt, and red ankle boots

A person stands facing forward, wearing fitted, ripped jeans rolled at the ankles, a tied shirt, and red ankle boots

Lily Collins, smiling outside, wearing a cropped top, high-waisted jeans, black blazer, and holding a small black handbagLily Collins, smiling outside, wearing a cropped top, high-waisted jeans, black blazer, and holding a small black handbag

Lily Collins, smiling outside, wearing a cropped top, high-waisted jeans, black blazer, and holding a small black handbag

Luc Teboul / Getty Images, Mediapunch / GC Images

2.Why we were all enamored with those thigh-high faux suede boots, I’ll never know. They always slipped down and were also made of such a strange material that looked more like the felt from art school class or a cheap Halloween costume than actual leather or suede. The update? Knee-high boots that would make Rachel Green ask where you got them from. Bonus points if they have a kitten heel (which is also pretty comfy to wear).

A woman in a hat and fall outfit walks down a leaf-strewn path, turning back and smiling. She wears an autumn hat, blouse, mini skirt, and knee-high bootsA woman in a hat and fall outfit walks down a leaf-strewn path, turning back and smiling. She wears an autumn hat, blouse, mini skirt, and knee-high boots

A woman in a hat and fall outfit walks down a leaf-strewn path, turning back and smiling. She wears an autumn hat, blouse, mini skirt, and knee-high boots

Model wearing a stylish black leather jacket, white shirt, maroon skirt, and black knee-high boots on a street lined with parked carsModel wearing a stylish black leather jacket, white shirt, maroon skirt, and black knee-high boots on a street lined with parked cars

Model wearing a stylish black leather jacket, white shirt, maroon skirt, and black knee-high boots on a street lined with parked cars

Puckons / Getty Images, Valentina Frugiuele / Getty Images

3.Nothing screams millennial fall quite like a shacket. Though they are incredibly comfy, the name alone should tell you where this falls on the fashion scale. Nothing good comes from a portmanteau (see: tofurkey, jorts, chillax). I see your lived-in plaid shacket and raise you two trendier options: suede or barn jackets. Both are generally neutral palettes and, let’s be real, are going to keep you warmer anyway, without resorting to full cold weather regalia like down jackets.

Woman in a checkered coat and wide-brim hat stands in a grassy field with autumn foliage in the background. She smiles and closes her eyes. Names unknownWoman in a checkered coat and wide-brim hat stands in a grassy field with autumn foliage in the background. She smiles and closes her eyes. Names unknown

Woman in a checkered coat and wide-brim hat stands in a grassy field with autumn foliage in the background. She smiles and closes her eyes. Names unknown

A woman in a stylish brown jacket with a belted waist and round sunglasses is standing outdoors near the waterA woman in a stylish brown jacket with a belted waist and round sunglasses is standing outdoors near the water

A woman in a stylish brown jacket with a belted waist and round sunglasses is standing outdoors near the water

S_chum / Getty Images/iStockphoto, Raimonda Kulikauskiene / Getty Images

4.The infinity scarves have to go. Why they were ever a closet staple in the first place beats the hell out of me, considering even when you doubled up, they were too loose to actually keep your neck warm and were just as liable to get caught in your jewelry and rip out a piercing. The no-brainer upgrade: cozy, chunky scarves.

Three crocheted scarves, displayed side by side on a white backgroundThree crocheted scarves, displayed side by side on a white background

Three crocheted scarves, displayed side by side on a white background

A person is standing outside, wearing a beanie, a plaid coat, a colorful scarf, a red sweater, and jeans. They look to the side with a contemplative expressionA person is standing outside, wearing a beanie, a plaid coat, a colorful scarf, a red sweater, and jeans. They look to the side with a contemplative expression

A person is standing outside, wearing a beanie, a plaid coat, a colorful scarf, a red sweater, and jeans. They look to the side with a contemplative expression

Nakphotos / Getty Images/iStockphoto, Edward Berthelot / Getty Images

5.Ankle-toe almond boots with chunky block heels had a chokehold on fall fashion for a good minute there, but in Googling those heels to remember what exactly they were referred to as, it took me a minute to even find what I was looking for, which I think says everything. Block-heeled boots are still in, but the silhouettes have been updated. Think of rectangle block heels, like Lorelai Gilmore would wear, that hit mid-calf at about the length of crew socks, as opposed to the booties that hit just below the cuffs of your skinny jeans. Or, if you must have that ankle bootie length, try it with a kitten heel.

A person's leg wearing stylish fringe ankle boots kicks a pile of autumn leaves in a parkA person's leg wearing stylish fringe ankle boots kicks a pile of autumn leaves in a park

A person’s leg wearing stylish fringe ankle boots kicks a pile of autumn leaves in a park

Emily Ratajkowski on the street, pushing a stroller, wearing sunglasses, a black blazer, blue jeans, and black bootsEmily Ratajkowski on the street, pushing a stroller, wearing sunglasses, a black blazer, blue jeans, and black boots

Emily Ratajkowski on the street, pushing a stroller, wearing sunglasses, a black blazer, blue jeans, and black boots

Urbazon / Getty Images, Gotham / GC Images

6.Ahh, the skater skirt. I do miss your flattering (and forgiving) silhouette. However, they are incredibly hard to style in a way that gives elegant or chic because no matter how you dress them up, they always have an element of Jessica Day-style whimsical twee. While that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it is nice to have options. The swap for the skater skirt? Still mini skirts, but this time to a throwback silhouette: the ’90s mini. Honestly, the best inspiration here is Fran Fine from The Nanny, who hit it out of the park with every outfit.

Person modeling an outfit composed of a black top, blue denim skirt, and red ankle bootsPerson modeling an outfit composed of a black top, blue denim skirt, and red ankle boots

Person modeling an outfit composed of a black top, blue denim skirt, and red ankle boots

A woman wearing a leather jacket, black mini skirt, and sunglasses walks on a city street during a fashion eventA woman wearing a leather jacket, black mini skirt, and sunglasses walks on a city street during a fashion event

A woman wearing a leather jacket, black mini skirt, and sunglasses walks on a city street during a fashion event

Model wearing a blue trench coat, burgundy top, and leather mini skirt, accessorized with sunglasses and statement jewelry during a street style eventModel wearing a blue trench coat, burgundy top, and leather mini skirt, accessorized with sunglasses and statement jewelry during a street style event

Model wearing a blue trench coat, burgundy top, and leather mini skirt, accessorized with sunglasses and statement jewelry during a street style event

Luc Teboul / Getty Images, Edward Berthelot / Getty Images, Claudio Lavenia / Getty Images

7.There was a time when the olive green army jacket might as well have been the unofficial millennial uniform, it was so ubiquitous it almost gave millennial pink a run for its money. Olive is a great neutral color, but why not switch out for a slightly more elegant silhouette: the trench coat? Just as lightweight and versatile, but way more put together.

A young woman in a casual army-style jacket poses against a weathered, textured wallA young woman in a casual army-style jacket poses against a weathered, textured wall

A young woman in a casual army-style jacket poses against a weathered, textured wall

A woman in a stylish trench coat and sunglasses walking outdoors, looking back over her shoulder while smilingA woman in a stylish trench coat and sunglasses walking outdoors, looking back over her shoulder while smiling

A woman in a stylish trench coat and sunglasses walking outdoors, looking back over her shoulder while smiling

S_chum / Getty Images/iStockphoto, Mega / GC Images

8.Let’s be real: the loose, drapey cardigans of the waterfall variety that were so popular a decade ago look exactly like backward Snuggies. The easy swap is another throwback silhouette: lady-like cardigans. They even double as an accessory themselves if you tie the sleeves around your neck because the “old money” aesthetic is still going strong. If it was good enough for Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, who are we to knock it?

Khloé Kardashian at an airport, wearing jeans, a casual white top, a long cardigan, and black boots, holding a leopard print blanket, accompanied by an airport staff memberKhloé Kardashian at an airport, wearing jeans, a casual white top, a long cardigan, and black boots, holding a leopard print blanket, accompanied by an airport staff member

Khloé Kardashian at an airport, wearing jeans, a casual white top, a long cardigan, and black boots, holding a leopard print blanket, accompanied by an airport staff member

Kaia Gerber exits a building wearing a cropped cardigan, high-waisted jeans, sneakers, sunglasses, and a scarfKaia Gerber exits a building wearing a cropped cardigan, high-waisted jeans, sneakers, sunglasses, and a scarf

Kaia Gerber exits a building wearing a cropped cardigan, high-waisted jeans, sneakers, sunglasses, and a scarf

Gvk / GC Images, Arnold Jerocki / GC Images

9.Okay, lastly, we need to talk about sweater dresses. Before you come at me with pitchforks from your autumn maze haystacks, sweater dresses are NOT out. However, the update in this case is how you style them. The last couple of years have seen fashion girlies embracing longer hemlines, which, hi, a maxi sweater dress and long boots (so you’re actually covered in cold weather) is a million times more cozy anyway.

A woman stands outdoors in a park, wearing a knit dress, leggings, knee-high boots, a scarf, and a flat cap, holding autumn leaves, smiling and looking downA woman stands outdoors in a park, wearing a knit dress, leggings, knee-high boots, a scarf, and a flat cap, holding autumn leaves, smiling and looking down

A woman stands outdoors in a park, wearing a knit dress, leggings, knee-high boots, a scarf, and a flat cap, holding autumn leaves, smiling and looking down

A person in a stylish outfit walks on a sidewalk, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, a long brown leather coat, an olive-green dress, and brown boots, carrying a black bagA person in a stylish outfit walks on a sidewalk, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, a long brown leather coat, an olive-green dress, and brown boots, carrying a black bag

A person in a stylish outfit walks on a sidewalk, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, a long brown leather coat, an olive-green dress, and brown boots, carrying a black bag

Model walking outdoors in a fitted ankle-length dress with an oversized blazer, black boots, sunglasses, and white gloves, holding a small clutchModel walking outdoors in a fitted ankle-length dress with an oversized blazer, black boots, sunglasses, and white gloves, holding a small clutch

Model walking outdoors in a fitted ankle-length dress with an oversized blazer, black boots, sunglasses, and white gloves, holding a small clutch

Gradyreese / Getty Images/iStockphoto, Claudio Lavenia / Getty Images, Hanna Lassen / Getty Images

Will you be trying any of these fashion updates, or do you hate the idea? Let us know in the comments!

Two individuals stand on a crosswalk, showcasing trendy high boots, patterned tights, and chic handbags. Their stylish outfits highlight modern street fashionTwo individuals stand on a crosswalk, showcasing trendy high boots, patterned tights, and chic handbags. Their stylish outfits highlight modern street fashion

Christian Vierig / Getty Images

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