Vancouver-based stylist Michelle Addison points to the heaviest fashion hitters of the season ahead.
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When the season swaps, it’s normal to long for something that feels sartorially fresh.
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But these days, thanks to endless social media feeds, influencer hauls and a seemingly non-stop stream of new collection drops, the flow of fashion trends can feel a bit … full.
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To help cut the noise and streamline your view of fall style, we asked longtime Vancouver-based stylist Michelle Addison to point to the heaviest hitters of the season ahead.
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“Intentional and confident,” Addison summarizes of the dominant mood for fall 2026 fashion. “We are moving toward practicality and power.”
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West Coast Table
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She points to examples such as menswear-inspired suiting, complete with sculpted shoulders and in bold colours like electric blue, burgundy and butter yellow, as strong examples of the shift.
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Addison points to fashion designers such as Michael Rider at the French fashion brand Celine as among those underscoring an esthetic that feels curated and intentional, yet also with an ease.
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“It is an exciting styling era that is less about buying everything new and more about using personal touches like scarves, belts and jewelry to create a distinct vibe from our current closets and intentionally purchasing,” she says. “We can rejoice that personal style is dominating the approach to fashion.”
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When asked to pinpoint the top five trends that she thinks pretty much everyone can try, Addison pointed to a simple place to start: your hands.
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“Ring maximizing,” Addison says of the more-is-more layered ring approach. “Layer chunky rings for day-to-day wear, not just for a night out. Adding a few vintage and a few enamel colours will really help you indulge in this trend.”
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Sticking to accessories (they’re the easiest way to update your wardrobe, after all), Addison next shouted out thigh-high boots as one of the must-try trends for fall 2026.
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“I am so excited that these have ‘circled back’,” she says of the haven’t-we-seen-this-before? footwear style. “Wear these boots with slim jeans, great leggings and even under a boho dress.”
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For those for whom a new pair of boots simply isn’t in the fall fashion budget this time around, Addison recommends getting the look with a knee sock paired with ankle boots instead.
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Fall, with its cooler temperatures, is perennially a season for layering. And this year is no exception.
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Addison suggests leaning into fall layers by playing with texture and textiles to really up the style factor.
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“Layer a turtleneck, collared shirt and plaid shirt under a suede or wool coat,” she suggests. “You can also layer sheer stockings with knee-high socks for extra drama.”
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And, believe it or not, leggings are officially back this fall, after several seasons of the baggy-is-best approach to trousers.
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“I loved Balenciaga’s high-collar leather jackets paired with black leggings and heels, even Gucci’s leggings with a fitted white tee,” Addison says. “I said I would never wear leggings again, but I take it back.”
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Lastly, if you invest in one item this fall/winter let it be a cool outerwear piece — with a twist.
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“From bold shoulders to shearling, this is perfect for the Canadian climate,” Addison says of the top trend that she calls ‘exaggerated’ outerwear. “Style it with slim denim, tapered trousers or a slim maxi-skirt.”
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